It’s September again which is what I like to say is a new improv season, I don’t know why, I think it’s because the improv classes I used to go to always started a new season at this time of year like school (or more realistic the summer after the festivals).

I think when it comes to this time of year, it is important to focus on one thing – the basics. So all this month we are going to look at different areas and how they can be used and developed.

I am not a teacher but I have learnt so much from others so let’s try and bring important things to light that stuck with me that may be able to help you in the future.

Status

Something that is incredibly important in improv is status and it is used a lot in any sort of situation. When you start learning about status it can feel very complex but when you learn and understand it you can elevate it and evolve yourself.

What is so good about it?

Status can be really helpful improv as it can develop scenes really quickly and also automatically bring meaning and drama to a scene.

It is one of the first things you get taught in improv as it has some fun elements to bring into this world. It can feel weird as well when you start improv as it can feel uncomfortable initially as it is all about treating people differently.

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Ways to play

There are so many great ways to play with the theme of status here are a couple that I think are iconic:

+ Every status: I do not know what the name is for this game but it was one of the first games I ever played in improv. In a class situation the teacher goes round and puts a sticker on your back so everyone can see you status number apart from you.

One is lowest status, then is the highest status. You then talk to people in the room treating people differently depending on their status and the whole room gets in a line from high to low. It is spooky how well it works and how everyone nearly finds the right place in the line.

+Status rollercoaster: Two people play out a normal scene and then throughout someone freezes the scene and changes the status levels of the players. It works wo well and creates a lot of comedy.

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How to make it more complex

Having a scene where someone doesn’t know their status and can they have to work it out can work very well for both the audience and the players.

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