THREE LINE EXCHANGE: How to start an Improvisation, Technique Building Game
We play THREE LINE EXCHANGE in almost every class or rehearsal we run. One of the hardest things to do, especially for a new player, is to start a scene. This game breaks it down. Create a base reality through pantomime and three lines of dialogue. At the end of each mini scene we should have a clear cut WHO WHAT WHERE.
Check menu links for upcoming Improv Comedy shows and classes LIVE from Times Square NYC and touring nationwide.
EMAIL for more info regarding private events: corporate team building, college humor, k12 educational outreach. Shows, classes, workshops and professional develop.
Three Line Exchange
Staging: Form two lines, with first two on stage.
Sample MC Set Up: One of the hardest things to do is start a scene. Here is a simple technique to solve this problem.
Game Play:
Player from line one starts a scene, without talking, simply Pantomiming an activity of work, play, hobby etc.
Player two now enters, YES AND… offer from Player one with the first line of dialogue, making a clear cut choice of WHO WHERE and / or WHAT. Name the relationship and location. No questions. No blocks. Never start with YOU’RE DOING THAT WRONG etc.
Player one can now talk. YES AND… player two. Heighten (clarify) the WHO WHERE and / or WHAT choices.
Player Two gets one more line. YES AND… and heighten even further.
You should want to go further. If you discover any fun character, write them in your journal. Great sketches, short stories or even longer novels, TV shows and films can all start with an amazing Improv scene starter.
Improv Theater LLC is a one stop edutainment center for corporate team building, office / holiday parties and more. Our comedy shows and workshops deliver high impact results. Clients include Cushman Wakefield, Google, Merck, Mercedes Benz, META /Facebook, TikTok, JP Morgan Chase, Accenture, Morgan Stanley, Twitter, Roblox, Rimowa, EI Digital, Accenture, Datadog HQ, Milbank, BING/Microsoft, Bank of America – Merrill Lynch, Home Depot, Ernst & Young, Johnson & Johnson, Louis Vuitton, Coach, UBS, BDO, AMEX, Master Card, Macy’s, 360i, IBM, GM, Kraft, UNILEAVER, HBO, Disney, American Express, WeWork, Prudential, Convene, Conference Board and many more including 1000s of public and private events in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, West Virginia, Florida, Ohio, Michigan, Wisconsin, Indiana, Illinois, Nebraska….
Providing College / University campus activities at Harvard, Syracuse, Seton Hall, Princeton, Georgetown, Vaughn, Molloy, Montclair State, Bloomberg College, High Point, Williams College, Lynchburg College, Southern New Hampshire University, Ferris State, Mount Isa, Misericordia, Sacred Heart, Hastings, Pace, College Misericordia, University of Vermont, Stone Hill, Yeshiva, Columbia, NYU, Hofstra, Cooper Union, John Jay, Fordham, Sacred Heart, Seton Hall, and more.
Touring Nationwide
Additionally, 1000s of public and private events at The Smithsonian Portrait Gallery, Wolf Trap, The Argyle Theater, Emelin Theater, Gerold Opera House, 72nd Street Pier, Cherry Point Marine Base, Disney Resorts, Ohio National Guard, Connecticut DCF, First Nights Winchester VA, Binghamton First Night, Haddonfield First Night, Chateau Briand, Babylon Carriage House, retirement homes, numerous libraries, YMCA, JCC, Parks and Recreation, 1000s of k12 schools and summer camps in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, Florida, Ohio, Michigan, Wisconsin, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, Nebraska.
You must be logged in to post a comment.