PUBLISHED July 3rd, 2012 08:48 pm | UPDATED July 25th, 2024 03:24 pm
Throw that script away! Because improvised performance – or improv as it’s commonly known – is making it’s mark on Sing!
I have to admit.. I’m not a total improv virgin, having had the great joy of being captivated by the sheer delight and entertainment of improv a few months back at the monthly Poetry Slam at Blu Jaz Cafe, courtesy of improvised theatre group – IMPROVables!
But what is improv exactly? While you might associate improv with comedy…in actual fact, improv is more about story telling, with comedy more a by-product if you like. The absolute beauty of improv is that it is very audience specific, taking it’s cue from topics and themes suggestions from the audience, as gleaned by the ‘host’. Hands up if you love a spot of interactivity? Yes me, me, me!
To my delight (and hopefully soon to yours also) IMPROVables! will not only be performing but also, hosting a workshop at Lit Up, the much awaited annual indie literary arts festival taking place on the 22-29 July.
Part of NUS Stage which draws on the raw talent of students who live and breathe theatre , IMPROVables! consists of a motley crew of a core group of anything from 5- 10 performers at any one time.
And this motley crew are on a mission to introduce Singapore to the art of improvised theatre. Curious? I got to catch up with three of the troupe – Kim, Darren and Luke. Let’s hear what IMPROVables! have to say….
So…what makes good improv?
It’s all in the authenticity because improv is about telling stories to and with the audience, and telling stories from within the improvisers which audiences can relate to. Every improviser brings different experiences and viewpoints to the table.
Good improv is very dependent on performers working in sync with each other, as well as the audience. The trust between a team is a big element and it takes time to build that bond – to take risks, accept each other and work within it’s immediacy. And for that to happen, having the respect of the audience also has a big part to play. We first started training in 2010 and it took a year before we were in a place where we could come together on stage because of all those factors.
What are the challenges of improv?
We live in a society where there is a lot of self-censorship, and where we are largely conditioned to think a certain way. But improv can be a safe place to get around those things and a great way of exploring issues and oneself, and this is very much the case with the workshops we run to introduce people to the basics of improvised theatre.
What are your pet peeves when it comes to improv?
Well, you never know what you’re going to get from the audiences – and sometimes you can get some terrible suggestions. For example, we love sex as a topic, but then there is smut and lowering the tone. One of the worst was female circumcision.
Has improv influenced your personality?
Yes! I’m (Kim) quite an introvert but the beauty of improv is that it makes you understand that there is much more to yourself than you think, and you can be anyone you want to be. That in turn helps you be more emphatic – for example, you can become an 80-year old pensioner and understand what it’s like to walk in their shoes. It’s a great outlet which develops and opens more facets of your personality – many of which you probably didn’t have a clue existed. And having that outlet is great fun, but also very therapeutic.
IMPROVables! will be performing on 26 & 27 July at Lit Up, Telok Ayer Performing Arts Centre, 182 Cecil Street. Performances will be on a ‘Pay As You Like’ basis, workshop is free. For more information on timings see the festival website here.
Written by Ms Demeanour