imagine if politicians followed these rules

The 10 rules of improv are widely recognized guidelines that help performers create engaging, collaborative, and spontaneous scenes.

Say “Yes, and!”
Always accept what your scene partner offers and build upon it, rather than negating or denying it.

Add new information.
Contribute fresh details to move the scene forward, rather than repeating or stalling.

Don’t block.
Avoid rejecting your partner’s ideas or offers; blocking stops the flow of the scene.

Avoid asking questions—unless you’re also adding information.
Questions can stall a scene by putting the burden on your partner; make statements instead to keep things moving.

Play in the present and use the moment.
Focus on the here and now, responding to what is actually happening in the scene.

Establish the location.
Clearly define where the scene is taking place to ground the action and provide context.

Be specific and provide colorful details.
Specificity makes scenes more engaging and believable; avoid vague or generic statements.

Change, Change, Change!
Don’t be afraid to shift the scene or your character; embrace transformation and development.

For serious and emotional scenes, focus on characters and relationships.
Depth comes from exploring how characters relate and react to each other in meaningful ways.

For humorous scenes, take choices to the nth degree or focus on actions/objects.
Heighten the comedy by exaggerating choices or zeroing in on specific actions or props.

These rules are foundational for both beginners and experienced improvisers, encouraging collaboration, creativity, and adaptability on stage. They are not rigid laws, but starting points for building strong improv skills