Our improv ensemble has been knee deep in learning our Cue Drive Improvised piece "Oh! Pierre." Students have been engaged instrumentally and vocally through out the piece. What I have been finding is that students often go to humor or "just whatever" they can play as their default "style." This got me thinking.... we need to experience HOW to improvise before getting to the PERFORMANCE of improvisation. I have been brainstorming a few ideas as to how to "teach" students to improv with purpose, here are some of my ideas.
- Give them a scene, or video clip played for them with the audio muted. Have the students improv a soundtrack to the clip, illustrating what is happening in the clip.
- Play with emotions. Give students an emotion and have students play or sing in the style of that emotion
- Playing in pairs. Have students play in pairs or smaller groups. Students should really listen to each other, and react to their "mini-ensemble."
These are just a few ideas and concepts I am playing with, however, I want my students to think about improv on a higher level. Struggles are great, they make us better and more innovative in the end!
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