The Harold Long Form Improv Game Activity

The Harold is a long form improv activity first developed in the 60s by theater director/teacher Del Close. Long-form improvisational activities allow actors more time to develop believable characters and organic storylines. Whether the performance is a comedy or a drama is entirely up to the cast members. Long form improv can last from 10 to 45 minutes (or beyond)! If done well, it can be absolutely mesmerizing. If done poorly it can elicit snoring sounds from the audience. It begins with a suggestion from the audience. Can someone name an object?Okay, people, choose an emotion.What is an activity you did yesterday?Name your favorite / least favorite word. Once selected, the word, phrase, or idea becomes the centerpiece for the Harold. There are limitless ways to begin the improv. Here are a few possibilities: Each cast member delivers an impromptu monolog.A word association game is played.The cast does an interpretative dance based on the suggestion.Each cast member recaps a personal (or fictional) memory connected with the audiences suggestion. The Basic Structure During the opener, cast members should listen intently and utilize some of the material In later scenes. The opening scene is usually followed by: Three vignettes related to the theme.A group theater game (involving some or all cast members).Several more vignettes.Another group theater game.Two or three final scenes that pull together the various themes, characters, and ideas that have been developing throughout the performance. Heres an example of what might happen: The Opener Cast member: (Speaking cheerfully to the audience.) For our next scene, we need a suggestion from the audience. Please name the first word that comes to mind. Audience Member: Popsicle! The cast members might then gather around, pretending to look at a popsicle. Cast Member #1: You are a popsicle. Cast Member #2: You are cold and sticky. Cast Member #3: You are in a freezer next to the waffles and beneath the empty ice cube tray. Cast Member #4: You come in many flavors. Cast Member #1: Your orange flavor tastes like orange. Cast Member #2: But your grape flavor tastes nothing like a grape. Cast Member #3: Sometimes your stick tells a joke or a riddle. Cast Member #4: A man in an ice cream truck carries you from one neighborhood to the next, while sugar-starved children chase after you. This can go on a lot more, and as stated above there are many different variations of the Harold beginning. Typically, whatever is mentioned in the opening might become a theme or a topic of an upcoming scene. (Thats why having a good memory is a bonus for Harold participants.) Stage One Next, the first set of three brief scenes begins. Ideally, they might all touch upon the theme of popsicles. However, the actors may choose to draw out other ideas mentioned in the moderators monolog (childhood nostalgia, dealing with grown-ups, sticky food, etc). Scene A1: Hyperactive children pester their mother for a popsicle, but first they must do their chores.Scene A2: A popsicle discusses life in the freezer with his friends Mr. and Mrs. Waffle.Scene A3: A trainee experiences her first day at the Popsicle Factory, working as a writer of lame jokes to be placed on the popsicle stick. Noises, music, cast member gestures, and interaction can take place throughout, helping to transition from one scene to him next. Stage Two: Group Game Whereas the previous scenes may have involved several cast members, Stage two typically involves the entire cast. Note: The games used should be organic. They might be something often seen in improv shows, such as freeze or alphabet; however, the game could also be something spontaneously created, some sort of pattern, activity or scene structure that one cast member generates. the fellow cast members should be able to tell what the new game is, then join in. Stage Three The group game is followed by another series of vignettes. The cast members may choose to broaden or narrow the theme. For example, each scene might explore The History of Popsicles. Scene B1: Popsicles during Cavemen TimesScene B2: Popsicles during the Middle Ages.Scene B3: Popsicles during the Old West. Stage Four Another game is in order, preferably involving the entire cast. This one should be very lively to build the energy for the final portions of the Harold. (In my humble opinion, this is the perfect spot for an improvised musical number -- but it all depends on Stage Five Finally, the Harold concludes with several more vignettes, hopefully calling back to several of the topics, ideas, even characters that have been explored earlier in the piece. Possible examples (although it seems counter-intuitive to give written out examples of improv ideas!) Scene C1: Caveman experiences worlds first case of brain freeze.Scene C2: Mr. and Mrs. Waffle decide to see other people; she visits the fridge.Scene C3: The Ice Cream Man is on his death bed, and his life flashes before his eyes. If the cast members are clever, which I am sure they are, they could tie the ending with material from the beginning. However, the Harold doesnt need to tie everything together to be fun or successful. A Harold might begin with a specific topic (like popsicles) but drift away too many different subjects, themes, and characters. And thats fine too. Remember, any improv game can be changed to suit the needs of the cast and the audience. Have fun with the Harold!

My Family Of The Family Tree - 2126 Words

I derive most of my identity from my Mother’s side of the family tree, so this autobiography will be a little lopsided; much like my personality. My maternal grandmother’s family came from Sonder Stenderup of Jutland, Denmark and my maternal grandfather’s family is of German descent. The original family name was Gron, however my great grandfather change the surname to Green in order to sound more American. My mother’s grandparents came from Jutland, Denmark in 1905 and my grandmother was born in Racine in 1920. The only characteristic I inherited from that side of the family is my punctuality, my outspokenness, and my ability to drink. I grew up in a three bedroom, one bathroom house with my mother and four brothers along with a neighborhood full of kids (mostly boys). I have three older brothers; 10, 9, and 8 years older and one brother who is three years younger than me. My older brothers all joined the service as they turned of age, therefore it cr eated a split upbringing for me. Up until I was 8, I was treated as the baby sister and my younger brother and I were constantly dragged to my older brother’s friends’ houses. My mother worked quite a bit, therefore, my eldest brother was in charge of the rest of the clan, however, he usually delegated one of the other two brothers to watch me my younger brother. Which is why I learned to play poker at a very young age, even though I’m still not good at bluffing my opponents. After I turned eleven, all of my olderShow MoreRelatedMy Family Tree By Vinnie Schmitt2196 Words   |  9 Pages My Family Tree Vinnie Schmitt 1. Name: Kelcy Vinnie Schmitt, me, myself and I. DOB: October 21st. 1959 in Los Angeles, moved to Yucaipa CA., Richmond VA., Anchorage AK., Portland OR., Maui HI., Seattle WA,. and San Diego. DOD: Still here Education: A.A. in Animal Healthcare Technology, Mesa College San Diego 1998. 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Nba Lockout Free Essays

EPPENGER, JALIL MS. HARRIS ENGLISH 10/3/11 #1. ( why the NBA Lockout hasn’t been a success? ) NBA LOCKOUT I feel the NBA Lockout has been one of the worst, incidents to ever happen, in the history of the NBA. We will write a custom essay sample on Nba Lockout or any similar topic only for you Order Now It hasn’t made fans happy and the players in the league have been upset too. I’ve noticed that NBA players have tried to overcome this situation by having different leagues, not associated with the NBA to play in. This has shown there passion and love of the game. The NBA lockout has motivated some players and humbled a lot of them. I noticed that a lot of players have kept working hard and are staying on top of their game throughout this puzzling time. I feel the NBA lockout polarized the summer for NBA basketball. There was nothing to look forward to besides European basketball in the summer. The NFL was able to overcome its problems with contracts and business deals and end their lockout before the season started. I don’t understand why the NBA can’t figure their problem out. The NBA doesn’t have nearly the fan base of the NFL. The severe shortage of the season will really hurt the NBA, much more than the NFL. The last NBA lockout was in 1998-99 season. The year Michael Jordan retired for the second time in his career. It was a horrible time also for the NBA much like this one. This also tarnished the sport of basketball. I wouldn’t be surprised if some NBA players left the NBA to play overseas. The game overseas is more orchestrated, hard-nosed, and skill orientated from what I’ve seen. The NBA is more about star-power and athleticism. I feel a lot of role players in the NBA would flourish more overseas, because they can be given the opportunity to showcase their skills, and gain some recognition for themselves. Overall, I feel the NBA and their players’ association will bargain together to make a productive agreement to resolve this problem just like the NFL did. it will just take longer and be more time consuming. How to cite Nba Lockout, Essay examples