Improv with Issues: Building community through games

Day One

Today was all about building trust and getting to know each other better as a group. We started the day by talking about the definition of theatre, and then we started building up energy through games. We did trust activities like trust falls and leading “blind” people through activities. We explored how we physically occupy space, from how we walk to how we can “connect” to the floor and to different objects. We learned focusing games, energy games, and other theatre games that will help us warm up for the rest of the week. We ate three bags of chips and hope to do better in the future. Below are some ridiculous reactions to the day from our group (ask a group member to explain):

“We only lost one person in the minefield”

“It’s weird getting to know people you see every day”

“We lied a lot”

“Theatre is more than just being on stage”

“That was the first time I heard Mrs. Galler yell” (Mrs. Galler’s note: In the context of a game!)

“Life is like a box of chocolates – you never know what animal you’re going to get” (playing “Donkey”)

“I felt like a puppet master playing Colombian Hypnosis”

“I can’t see anything” (during the “blind” games)

Enjoy some pictures from our day:

Making an "angel" while playing Donkey.
Making an “angel” while playing Donkey.
CAM00060
Mrs. Galler teaches the animal “poses” for Donkey.
minefield
The class guides a “blind” Michael through a minefield of objects.
mirror
Mary and Adalberto practice making mirror images.
mirror2
Michael and Tyler make mirror images.
mirror3
Lucy and Julia practice mirror images.
mirror4
Michael and George practice mirror images
mirror6
Alexis and Spencer practice mirror images.
objectflooralexis
Alexis finds creative ways to connect to the floor and to her object.
objectfloorberto
Adalberto finds creative ways to connect to the floor and to his object.
objectfloorchelsea
Chelsea finds creative ways to connect with the floor and with her object.
storytelling
Julia and Mary tell each other stories.

Looking forward to Monday’s trip to Pig Iron’s theatre school. Remember to bring a lunch and to wear comfortable clothes.

2014 Experiences, Improv with Issues,