Metacognition: Comedy Sportz

For the past three weeks (and three years, I guess) I have been working on Comedy Sportz shows.  Quick Comedy Sportz background:  Comedy Sportz is an improv show where two teams (dressed as baseball players) face off to see who will be the funniest team.  Improv is probably the funniest and scariest thing I've ever done.  I first did comedy sportz my sophomore year, and as it has become much easier because, even though it is improv, there are rules.

The first thing you have to remember with Comedy Sportz is that you cannot mess up.  That is always the first thing I remind myself before I start a scene.  There is no script, therefore you cannot do something wrong.  Unless you do something dirty because it is clean comedy.  The next few things I think of are the basic rules:  Don't ask questions because it puts all the responsibility on your partner to create the scene, say yes to everything because all suggestions are gifts you can use, and focus on the scene.  Remember what other people are saying, and don't try to plan  ahead.  Your scene needs to make sense and if you are focused on coming in with a funny line about pancakes and the scene is in the museam, it will look BAD.

The first step onstage during a scene is to create a character.  This may be what I struggle with the most, because it is tough to come up with a character when you don't know where your scene is until the split second before it begins.  Still, it is much easier to carry out the rest of the scene when you have a strong character because you'll know that your girly girl won't ask someone to go build a house.

The second thing to do is create a relationship with the other people on the stage.  Walking up to someone and saying "Hi, welcome to the store, how can I help you?"  Doesn't open up to as many funny possibilites as, "Hi it's so good to see you again, my ex-boyfriend who I facebook stalk frequently"  Creating any kind of relationship with at least one person on stage does loads of good for the scene.

The third thing to do is bring on characters who started off stage.  All of us naturally hog the stage because it's so easy to let the scene go in your direction.  It is important, however, to remember that this is a team, and you have to share your spotlight.  If someone isn't coming in, or if you are consistantly talking over someone, fix it.  It is improv, but if it goes well it looks like a well planned scene.  It is okay to play supporting roles.

The forth thing: Don't try to be funny.  Forcing it doesn't work.  Ever.

And now, with my steps, and I ready to pull off a great scene in the show!!!
And here is my plug:  Comedy Sportz tomorrow night at 4:00 and 7:30 in the Lyceam!! Be there or be square.