Improvisational exercise are vital for all actors, not only those wishing to engage in improv acting, as these techniques will be called upon in all forms of scripted acting. Unfortunately, whether on stage or in front of a film, you can forget your lines or an unexpected physical action can occur. When this happens, it is your training as an improvisational actor that will help keep the story flowing and prevent you from “freaking out.”
The “I’m Not Talking to You” improvisational exercise focuses on cultivating physical improv skills by defining objectives, creating a central conflict, engaging in a relationship and exploring character movement.
Number of Actors – This exercise should be done with two actors; however it may be altered to involve more than two, yet within this example I will only use two actors.
Create a Scene
To begin this improvisational exercise, select two actors and create a scene for these two performers. The scene should involve a couple who is no longer on speaking terms. For example, a husband and wife are sitting in the living room – the wife is upset at the husband, who is unaware of her anger. It is through her actions that she makes her emotional level aware to him. This must only be done through actions. While she engages him physically, he must identify that there is a problem, try to determine what the issue is and what he can do to solve the issue.
Analyzing the Scene
Once the scene progresses to the point of needing to speak, the scene is over. After it is completed, discuss with the actors how they felt throughout the scene. Ask the “husband” how he knew that his wife was upset, and ask the “wife” why she made certain choices. Breakdown their performance and highlight their physical actions that led to the point of needing to speak.
The purpose of this improvisational exercise is to allow the actors to fully engage in building a strategy to meet their objectives as well as adapting to the changing circumstances.