Pattern Play

Patterns make powerful tools for storytelling and for improv. A character may have a speech pattern, pattern of behavior, or pattern of belief. A scene may have a thematic pattern, pattern of genre, or pattern of events. Establishing, breaking, and re-establishing pattern creates drama and comedy. In improv, Game refers to an unusual pattern that is explored, heightened and exaggerated for comedic effect. In fact, Game is one of the only reliable approaches for getting the audience to laugh. In this intermediate class students will learn how to establish a realistic world, discover unusual elements, and harness absurdity to create comedy. Special emphasis will be placed on constructing and identifying patterns in order to navigate characters, story, and scene transitions.