Favorite ways to take suggestions?

York99 · Post by **York99** » September 30th, 2006, 2:52 pm

Suggestions are like religion: a crutch for the weak. Thank you Governor Ventura.

Seriously, though, I think there probably is an expectation from the audience -- at least one that isn't as hip to improv -- that it's used if asked for.

I would prefer to not ask for a suggestion at all. That's my own personal preference and don't care how other people do it. Go TJ and Dave!

ChrisTrew.Com · Post by **ChrisTrew.Com** » October 13th, 2006, 2:22 am

You'll never catch me trying to figure out a way to incorporate a "first kiss" or the words "first kiss" into a show because that was the audience suggestion. My mind thinks:
When I had my first kiss, it was cold and I was nervous. Tupac was on the radio. I had crazy dreams about it the entire week afterwards.

So my scenework/characters/whatever is inspired from that memory.

I'm also a big fan of not taking suggestions. one a.m. has done that a few times and it's always worked really well. It's very much a "well. let's get to work making something here" as opposed to "blueberry...blueberry....hmm...

I could go either way.

phlounderphil · Post by **phlounderphil** » October 13th, 2006, 2:56 am

I'm really torn by-this, and I find that this rift in me not only is just for taking suggestions, but extends to all of my improv.

The theatre-sided half of me wants to create meaningful art, and there's a tiny voice in my head saying "Create something good, it doesn't matter what the suggestion is!"

The comedy-sided half of me wants to please an audience, which would be much easier if a good suggestion was taken and incorporated into the show, because (in my mind at least) the audience can feel more involved knowing that they had a part in creating the stuff onstage, rather than merely observing.

I know, they had a part anyways, because they're energy fuels the show, but how often do THEY realize that.

I guess my favorite way to take a suggestion is the patented You Me & Greg Take Everybody's Suggestion format. In which every audience member gets a small slip of paper, and is encouraged to throw their suggestion onstage at anypoint in the show and it will be incorporated however possible. It doesn't always make for excellent scenework to have things thrown at you, but the audience REALLY gets into and will usually dig through their pockets for another piece of paper just to get another suggestion into the show. That show made me really believe in taking a strong suggestion and using it well...we've done it twice and it worked both times very well.

HerrHerr · Post by **HerrHerr** » October 13th, 2006, 11:11 am

I'm gonna try something different tonight at the FM show for my suggestion. I'll let you know how it goes---for those who don't make the show.

Wesley · Post by **Wesley** » October 13th, 2006, 2:29 pm

You're going to pull a real, loaded gun and point it at the audience to demand a good suggestion, aren't you?

If so, save that kind of "experimental" stuff for the Blank Show.

shando · Post by **shando** » October 13th, 2006, 2:50 pm

HerrHerr wrote: I'll let you know how it goes---for those who don't make the show.

I will be there, dawg.