Improvise: Scene From The Inside Out by Mick Napier
For more than 20 years of directing, teaching, and participating in improvisation, Mick Napier has watched thousands of scenes. In this book, Napier takes an irreverent, but constructive look at the art and practice of improvised scenes. He covers such topics as two-person scenes, group scenes, entering scenes, techniques to achieve richer, more layered scenes, auditioning and solo exercises for practice at home.
Napier also challenges the conventional wisdom of the rules of improvisation, examining what’s behind them and how they came to be in the first place. Get helpful, tangible guidelines for bringing strength and direction to your scenes.
Here are a few of the auditioning guidelines Mick lays out for improvisers.
- The auditors are dying for you to do well.
- Don’t acquiesce to the energy in the room.
- Snap into a strong choice when someone says, “Go.”
- If you are asked to state your name, do so slowly without affectation and without trying to get a laugh.
- Don’t dress like John Belushi.
- If you know one of your auditors, don’t acknowledge them unless they first acknowledge you.
- Show variety.
- Take an acting class- or four.
- Prepare for an audition by auditioning.
Mick also talks about some of the characteristics of a perfect actor. See below.
- Shut the fuck up.
- Know what you’re talking about.
- Make strong choices.
- Show up and be on time.
- Don’t be tired.
- Don’t read in rehearsal.
- Don’t talk about the show in bars.
- Try anything.
- Eliminate “can’t, should and ought to” from your vocabulary.
- Don’t interrupt anyone at any time; if you do, apologize.
- Don’t lie down in a rehearsal.
- Learn not to apologize before presenting your work.
- Work in the present, not the past.
- Don’t meet as a group without a director.
- Ask permission to give another improviser a note.
- Don’t give other improvisers notes.
- If you must give a note, don’t, don’t don’t do it during a show.
- Jump on stage with enthusiasm.
- Sit near others.
- Shower.
These are just a few tips and pointers from Mick, if your interest is sparked, make sure to pick up your own copy of Improvise by Mick Napier. It’s filled with exercises, experiences and a wealth of knowledge every improviser should know.
