Improv Lexicon
Show formats
Short Form scenes
Short scenes usually constructed from a predetermined game, structure, or idea and driven by an audience suggestion. Short forms are the most accessible for beginners.
Long Form scenes
A show in which short scenes are often interrelated by story, characters, or themes. The most famous one is the Harold. They usually last about 30min. Long form scenes are usually performed by intermediate imrpovisers.
Theatresport
Developed by director Keith Johnstone, the concept of Theatresports originated in Johnstone's observations of techniques used in professional wrestling to generate heat, or audience reaction. It si a performancewhich uses the format of a competition for dramatic effect
Styles of performance
Dramatic, narrative-based
Improv based on story telling techniques. In such performance, actor want to show real emotions, vulnerability. This type of performances aimes at connecting with the audience through empathy. This type of improv is mostly performed in Europe.
Comedy - American improv
Most of the modern improv are more or comedic although this aspect is not the main objective.
Pure improv comedy is mainly performed in the US and is based on the "game of the scene" principles, where finding the funny is more important than the narrative.
Musical improv
Piece of improvisation which combines narrative -based improv with improvised songs. This type of performance is supported by musicians improvising the melody.
For example the @showstopperthemusical
Safety lexicon
Boundary
Improvisers spend a lot of time out of their comfort zone. But such commitment should never compromise personal safety. That´s why each players are encourage to highlight their own sensibilities (boundaries) when they appear and respect the ones of their partners.
Want to know more about it? Contact us, we have a safety training!
Safe space
A safe space is a process leading to a feeling amount participants that they can try out, show their vulnerability and fail without fearing of being hurt or judged. Holding a space is primordial for a leader to insure that the participants can freely improvise.
Want to know more about it? Contact us, we have a safety training!
Improv lexicon
Blocking: Denying or ignoring an offer (e.g., “That’s not true,” changing the subject).
Button: A strong final moment or line that cleanly ends a scene.
Callback: Reusing a previously established joke, line, or idea.
Commitment: Fully believing and playing your character and circumstances without irony.
Endowing: Giving your partner a trait, relationship, emotion, or status (“Mom, you’re early again”).
Edit: Ending a scene (via blackout, sweep, tag, etc.).
Game of the Scene: The recurring comedic pattern or central idea that gets repeated and escalated.
Heightening: Making choices bigger, riskier, or more specific over time.
Listening: Actively responding to what your partner actually says and does, not what you planned.
Long-Form: Extended scenes or structures focused on story and character.Montage: A series of short scenes or moments around a shared theme.
Offer: an activity, an attitude or a statement directed at a teammate. If the offer is acknowledged by the teammate, it helps co-building the story. Note: an offer can also be called a “gift” in improv.
Object Work: Using your body to mime physical objects realistically.
Organic Improv: Scenes that evolve without a predefined structure.
Platform: Beginning of a scene. It defines who, where, what? It defines what is the normality of this scene.
Point of View (POV): A character’s consistent attitude or worldview.
Support: Making your scene partner look good; giving them gifts rather than trying to steal focus.
Status: The power dynamic between characters (high status vs. low status).
Sweep Edit: Players physically cross the stage to clear the scene.
Short-Form: Game-based improv (often competitive, like Whose Line Is It Anyway?).
Tag: A brief follow-up scene that references a previous one.
Tilt: The unusual or game-changing element that disrupts the platform.
Yes, And: The golden rule of improv: accept what your scene partner offers (“yes”) and add new information (“and”) to move the scene forward.