Our Stu – improvisor and owner of two pairs of Converse – wants to tell you about a secret in his back pocket.
Very quickly you’re going to realise that the title of this blog has made the following words more confusing than they really needed to be.
My blog title is not saying that the secret to rescuing a failing improv scene is secret. I’m saying that it is ‘a’ secret.
When I say that it is ‘a’ secret, it’s a secret that I can reveal. I’m going to tell you the secret of how to put a little life back into your improv scene if it’s wandering a bit south or doesn’t feel like it’s going anywhere. So, technically it’s not a secret because I’m telling you it is a secret.
Put another way, the secret is a secret.
Are you feeling tired? I’m feeling tired.
You’re losing the improv audience
I’ll try to explain using a few examples. I’m sure that will help. But probably not.
We’ve all been in a scene where we feel there is nowhere to go. You have a sinking feeling that you’re losing the audience, no-one is editing, and you’ve got no idea what to do or say next. Well, you can administer scene CPR by revealing to your scene partner a secret that you have been keeping from them.
“Martin?”
“Yes, Shirley?”
“Can I tell you something that I’ve never told you in the 14 years that we’ve been married?”
“Yes, of course, you can tell me anything.”
“I’m a bear.”
Boom! You and your scene partner have got something big and hair to work with.
I’m not saying the secret to every scene is being a bear. It can be any secret you like but it’s best if it is connected to what has gone on before in the scene or set. If you can connect the secret to your relationship with your scene partner then that’s gold standard but the secret can be linked to the location, object work, occupation or a callback from an earlier scene in the set.
Also, when you deliver the secret make the audience lean in. Build it up a bit. Create some tension.
“Shirley, I need to tell you something. I’ve been holding it in for as long as I can remember.”
“Okay, what is it, Martin?”
“You’re not going to get mad are you?”
“No, of course not. I love you. There’s nothing you can say that will ever change that.”
“This might.”
“It won’t.”
“Okay, I’ve filed for divorce.”
Kapow! You and your scene partner have got something heartbreakingly awkward to work with.
A useful tool for improv
Secrets are a useful tool throughout improv. They’re not just for breathing new life into a scene. You can use them for character work too. Instead of trying to come up with a backstory for your character, given your character a secret.
It can be anything. A contagious disease, unrequited love, you’ve left the gas on at home, you don’t like standing upright, or you’re an otter. The difference this time is that you don’t reveal your secret. You just let the secret inform you reactions to whatever is going on in the scene.
I think I’ve cleared that all up after a shaky start. Basically, keep a dark secret handy and in your improv tool belt. You never know when you might need it.
The Oickers 