Davenport’s Improv Rules
Don’t Interrogate: In improv, it's important to avoid asking excessive questions because it places the responsibility on your
scene partner to provide all the details. Instead of interrogating, make strong statements or offers that contribute to the scene.
For example, instead of asking, "Where are we?" you might say, "This amusement park is scarier than I thought!" This
approach moves the scene forward without placing all the pressure on your partner.
Start by Doing: Rather than overthinking or discussing what will happen, begin the scene with action. Physical activity or an
emotional reaction creates momentum. For example, opening a scene by miming cooking or reacting with excitement
immediately engages the audience and your partner. It sets the stage for collaboration, letting the scene unfold naturally.
Use A Lot of Details: In improv, the richness of a scene comes from specific details. Vague dialogue can confuse your
partner and the audience. Instead, include detailed descriptions of your environment, objects, or emotions. For instance,
instead of saying, "This is nice," try, "This lemon meringue pie is the best I've ever had, especially with the hint of vanilla."
These specifics enhance the scene’s reality and provide hooks for your partner to build on.
Show, Don’t Tell: Instead of explaining what’s happening, demonstrate it through your actions, expressions, and emotions.
Let the audience infer what's going on rather than relying on dialogue alone. For instance, rather than saying, "I'm angry,"
show your anger through clenched fists, a stern expression, or pacing. This engages the audience on a deeper level, drawing
them into the moment.
Say Yes, And: One of the core principles of improv is accepting what your partner offers (saying "yes") and then building
upon it (the "and"). This creates a collaborative flow where scenes develop organically. If your partner says, "We're on the
moon," you don’t deny it; instead, you add to it, like, "Yes, and I forgot my oxygen tank!" This keeps the energy positive and
the scene moving forward.
Be Heard: In improv, clear communication is essential. If your fellow actors or the audience can’t hear or understand you,
the scene will falter. This doesn’t mean you always need to be loud, but you should articulate clearly and project your voice
so everyone is on the same page. Your contributions need to be audible to ensure the story is cohesive.
Be Safe: Physical and emotional safety are critical in improv. This involves being mindful of your partner’s boundaries,
avoiding dangerous actions, and creating an environment where everyone feels respected. For example, avoid pushing,
pulling, or engaging in overly physical interactions unless you're certain it’s safe and your partner is comfortable. Emotional
safety is equally important—ensure that content is appropriate and considerate of others' limits.
Do Object Work: Object work refers to miming the use of objects to enhance the believability of a scene. Whether you’re
holding a cup, driving a car, or writing a letter, it’s important to perform these actions convincingly to ground the scene in
reality. Well-executed object work adds depth and texture to your performance, helping to engage the audience in the world
you’re creating.
Important Improv Rules
Make Your Partner Look Good:
Improv is a collaborative art form, and one of the best ways to succeed is by supporting your scene partner. If both actors
focus on making each other look good, the scene will shine. This involves being aware of their choices, reacting positively,
and giving them space to contribute.
Commit Fully:
No matter how absurd or unexpected a scene may be, fully commit to your character, emotions, and actions. Half-hearted
performance will weaken the believability and energy of the scene. When you fully invest in the moment, the audience and
your partners will, too.
Avoid Denial:
This is related to the “Yes, And” rule. Denying a reality set up by your scene partner, such as saying “no” to their ideas or
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contradicting their established reality, breaks the flow of the scene. Improv works best when all offers are accepted and built
upon rather than dismissed.
Stay in the Present:
Focus on what is happening right now in the scene. Avoid getting ahead of yourself by planning the entire story. Improv is
about responding to the current moment, and reacting naturally to what’s unfolding. Staying present allows for organic
developments and surprise.
Don’t Try to Be Funny:
While improv often results in humor, the goal isn’t to force jokes or be funny on purpose. Comedy naturally arises from
honest reactions, strong character choices, and the situations that develop. Trying too hard to be funny can make the scene
feel artificial or forced.
Follow the Fear:
In improv, it’s common to feel fear or hesitation about taking risks. Embrace that feeling, and step into situations that
challenge you. Often, those moments of fear lead to the most compelling and exciting scenes. Taking bold risks allows you to
break new creative ground.
Embrace Mistakes:
Mistakes in improv aren’t just okay—they’re opportunities. When something unexpected happens, embrace it and
incorporate it into the scene. Mistakes can lead to hilarious or surprising moments, and often turn into the best parts of the
performance.
Listen Fully:
Listening is one of the most crucial skills in improv. You must actively listen to your scene partner, not just to hear the
words, but to understand the subtext, emotions, and intentions behind them. This ensures that you’re always responding
authentically and collaboratively.
Play at the Top of Your Intelligence:
Trust that your audience is smart and that you can handle complex emotions, situations, or themes. Avoid low-hanging jokes
or overly simplistic actions. Instead, engage in creative, intelligent choices that add depth and intrigue to your performance.
Trust the Process:
Improv is unpredictable, and it can feel uncertain at times. Trust in yourself, your partners, and the structure of improv. Even
if you feel lost, have faith that the scene will unfold naturally if you adhere to the rules and principles.
Silence is Okay:
It’s tempting to fill every moment with dialogue, but sometimes silence can be just as powerful. Pauses can add tension, give
space for emotions to sink in, or allow for physicality to shine. Trust that silence can serve the scene, and don't rush to fill
every gap.
Play Characters, Not Caricatures:
Even in a comedic setting, try to play characters who are real and multidimensional rather than over-the-top stereotypes.
Authenticity in characters makes the scene more believable, relatable, and ultimately funnier in a subtle and engaging way.
Emotion is Key:
Scenes that connect emotionally are often the most impactful. Tap into your character's emotions and respond from a place of
feeling rather than logic. Emotion helps ground scenes and adds depth, whether the mood is joyful, angry, or sad.
