Quick Start guide to performing improv with Act Out

When playing Act Out, you are playing on a team. The better your team can interact with you and pick up on where things are going, the better you will do.

Above all, Never Negate! No matter what direction the skit is going, go along with it. If someone says they have an octopus in their pants, you never say "No you don't." As that can kill the flow. Better to say something like, "Oh, is that what was touching my leg." or "You'll shoplift anything..." or "Are you sure it's not a squid? I think I count ten tenticles coming out of your pants."

If you are playing a character, think how that character would honestly react to a situation, and perform in that way. Put yourself into the role.

Additionally:

1. Be absurd and go with the flow. It’s hard to change directions once the Scene has started.
2. More contrast is better. Exaggerate roles, and make them different from each other.
3. Timing is key. Know when to jump in or when to keep quiet. Don’t rush through a Scene.
4. Don’t hog the spotlight. Play as a team and the Scene will benefit.
5. Don’t sweat mistakes. They are bound to happen, so use them or ignore them.
6. Don’t take it too seriously. You may have so much fun, you won’t care who wins!
7. PAY ATTENTION! If you don’t know what’s happening, you can’t jump in effectively.
8. Don’t be a talking head. Body language is as important as what you’re saying.
9. Trust Your Team.

In the sidebar you will see links to more resources that can help you learn. But remember to practice, practice practice!

Play Examples

Here are a couple of examples of card combinations and possible skits:

Prop / Small Animal, Character / Criminal, Place / On the Road:

1. A thief carrying 30 minks making his getaway on foot.
2. Blind car thief with a seeing eye dog.
3. Poacher trying to cross boarder with rare birds in his pants.

Location / Confined Space, Prop / Weapon, Conflict / Disagreement

1. Bomb squad under a building arguing over which wire to cut.
2. Two soldiers on a submarine disagree on proper torpedo loading and the both end up stuck in the firing tube.
3. Gentlemen’s duel to the death with pistols at 20 paces…inside a closet.

As an added bonus, here's a two hour video of Wayne Brady showing the basics of improvisation