Romanticized Dogma vs. Practical Application

[arclight]

Being in 'the pipeline' in Chicago, I'll say this: as an experienced improvisor in level 1 at Annoyance, I'm finding it somewhat challenging to work with the 2/3 of the class that has no improv experience and not being corrected out of beginner's 'mistakes.'

The class consists of the occasional focus on a particular skill - spacework, scene length, vocal restriction, etc. - but is primarily about two-person scenes. No CROWE, no "yes and...", no hard and fast rules. Occasionally bits of rules slip in but they are always carefully neutralized by the attitude that if you can make something work, then it is useful to you.

On the other hand, I find the approach of just drilling on two-person scenes to be extremely refreshing. Stop talking, stop thinking, and start doing.

With gentle guidance and lots of practice, my classmates will eventually start picking up on what works for them and their scenes. If it serves the scene, if it is done from a position of strength and intent, then great - carry on. I don't know what other 'rules' you need.

[beardedlamb]

mick is anti rules, which might account for that experience in annoyance level one. i've had a similar experience in a couple level ones, too. i think the "hip" parts of the improv world are moving away from rules and it makes me interested to see what future generations of improvisers will be performing.

[ratliff]

I'll say this: as an experienced improvisor in level 1 at Annoyance, I'm finding it somewhat challenging to work with the 2/3 of the class that has no improv experience and not being corrected out of beginner's 'mistakes.'

Bob, I had the same experience at the Annoyance intensive. I felt the cast-iron frying pan of my own hypocrisy bonk me on the head every time I thought, "Will you please tell them to stop DENYING?"

One analogy is yoga. Donna Farhi says you can feel your way into the poses and don't have to worry about technical details like the angle of your feet or how far your arms are extended. But it's unlikely you're just going to happen onto those poses, or experience them fully, without first being guided into it. Beginners' instructions aren't rules, they're just an attempt to put you in a place where you're more likely to start experiencing it for yourself more quickly.

[valetoile]

I'm sure even amazing chefs sometimes just make themselves a nice PB and J. You can give people things to aspire to, but you shouldn't have to live up to that all the time.

[DollarBill]

There might be an "ideal stance" to deliver or receive a blow in a martial arts engagement, but you can't yell "time out!" in the arena to line yourself up "properly" before continuing the fight.

I wouldn't criticize a decathlon athlete just because he emphatically prefers the pole vault to the shot put.

Yes. This is an easier way to understand what I meant when I said "practice, practice, practice". It's also very similar to the Bruce Lee "be water my friend" quote that I yell at everyone who will listen.

I think the real reason I posted this is that I feel slumpy lately and I'm trying to figure out if I should be attempting a more perfect prov or if I should just do it the way I like to do it and see if I can ride out the storm. Thanks to everyone who posted. Y'all are the best.