Improv for Duos

poltergasm · Post by **poltergasm** » November 20th, 2012, 10:49 pm

Hi all! A simple query:

What are your favorite formats for duo improv? Which do you love doing most? Seeing most?

I ask because, while I've seen a handful of two-person shows, I've never been in one. And I'm about to. Soon. So yes, if you can tell me whatchya like, I'd be thankful.

ratliff · Post by **ratliff** » November 20th, 2012, 11:23 pm

Monoscene, a la TJ & Dave
Monoscene with popouts
The Harold (I've seen awesome two-person Harolds from McNichol & May and Galapagos)
Least stressful is probably some kind of montage, but then you have to edit yourselves

Chuy! · Post by **Chuy!** » November 21st, 2012, 2:24 am

Who is your duo partner because I know this fat Mexican guy...

00George · Post by **00George** » November 21st, 2012, 8:45 am

For duo stuff, I always recommend just talking it out with your partner before you even start playing. Every two-man team is going to play very differently because it is such a personal performance. I tend to be a fan of the monoscene, just because that's the way my brain works, but you may find that a faster style of play better suits your sensibilities. Having the conversation at the beginning or maybe after just goofing around a couple of times will give you a better idea of what you want to achieve.

Rev. Jordan T. Maxwell · November 21st, 2012, 9:52 am

Jeff and i started out doing montage in 710 Split, but it rarely clicked that well. we started doing our Fiction Suit format (one performer starts a character monologue, the other performer takes over halfway through, ensuing narrative spins out of that) as a rehearsal exercise to work on developing/investing in strong characters more, and it wound up inspiring us enough to start doing it onstage. so i think just finding something that delights and excites you is the most important thing. nothing's off limits!

jose · Post by **jose** » November 21st, 2012, 2:00 pm

ratliff wrote:Monoscene, a la TJ & Dave
Monoscene with popouts
The Harold (I've seen awesome two-person Harolds from McNichol & May and Galapagos)
Least stressful is probably some kind of montage, but then you have to edit yourselves

Wow! Thanks for the kind words, Ratliff!

I love two-person shows where folks play patiently, whether it's a single scene or not.

I love two-person shows that hit breakneck speeds with multiple scenes and multiple characters, too.

Adsit & Lutz at this year's OOB had a good mix of both (and their Sunday night show was amazing).

While I think it's neat when two people take on a form(at) that is usually done with more folks (Harold, The Movie, etc.), I pretty much will be into almost anything with people being super committed, taking risks, and being playful.

PyroDan · Post by **PyroDan** » November 22nd, 2012, 6:21 am

I echo Ratliff. Slow play within whatever is the overall format. Duo groups have a great deal of responsibility, there isnever anyone outside the scene to gift, or edit on a button. So playing slow helps, and it also leads to a more realistic theatrical piece.

Asaf · Post by **Asaf** » November 23rd, 2012, 2:19 pm

Duo formats should be specific to the duo. As Razowsky says "Improv is in the casting".

And if there is just the two of you, there must be a good reason you chose to keep it at that.

Jill Bernard and I do a character switching show because I love her character work and I wanted to push my own.

Tom Booker and I perform Baxter & Bernard because they were these ridiculous characters that we thought would be fun to see in different situations.

Aden Kirschner and I do a Nichols & May style conversations set because she and I have voice characters in common. We love to play with rhythm and voice.

I'm constructing a format for Courtney Hopkin and I to perform based on what I think would be most fun to play with her in.

jillybee72 · Post by **jillybee72** » November 24th, 2012, 2:38 am

Yes, what Asaf said!

What is the Venn Diagram of the two of us, our favorite things to do and the things that make us most curious?