Our Styles
A short-form improvisational comedy show that consists of a panel performers who create characters, scenes, and songs on the spot, in the style of short-form improvisation games, many taken from Theatresports. Topics for the games are based on either audience suggestions or predetermined prompts from the host.
A form of improvised long-form comedy developed by Del Close and brought to fruition through Close’s collaboration with Charna Halpern. The Harold is best described as three acts (or “beats”), with each consisting of three scenes and a group segment. With each beat, the three scenes return. By the end of the piece, the three scenes may have converged.
A form of improvisational theatre, performed in the format of a competition for dramatic effect. Opposing teams perform scenes based on audience suggestions or from categories provided by the host. Scenes are rated by the audience or by a panel of judges (who are usually trained improvisers themselves).
A story is told by a narrator and acted out by the performers using shortform improv games. The narrator will ask the audience for suggestions to help shape the form of this one act play. Unlike many of our other show formats, performers retain the character that is given to them throughout the act.
The “Recreational, Improvisational, Sensational, Invitational” is our High School Improv competition. Originated in 2009, teams compete for points provided to them from a panel of judges (usually members of Trapped In A Rumor Improv).
This improv format begins with a set of monologues. The players line up in front of the audience, and, based on a single audience suggestion, they all tell the same story, each as their own character in that story. The play is set up by having every character introducing himself or herself by doing a short monologue. After the introductions, things start to happen. Every character reflects on what is happening from their own perspective, and each character adds elements to the story. The story follows a traditional story “arc,” establishing what goes on every day, what the change is, the effects of the change, and a resolution.