Let’s define YES AND… this way. Beyond simply saying the words, YES AND… requires us to fully support everything that comes our way and then bring our best work to the table. Our job is to make everyone else look amazing, including our audience and support mechanisms.
Every improv student, teacher and performer quotes those two famous words daily. But how often do we truly LIVE the #1 governing principal in Improv Comedy. Let’s discuss ways to bring your Improv to another level by focusing on YES AND… 24/7.
In a world of turmoil, negativity hyped and amplified by social media, cynicism and negativity are much easier to come by that positivity. From our closest allies and loved ones we are more likely to get judgement than acceptance.
In a world driven by tech, laziness and focus are in surplus. Apathy is king.
Saying NO and asking questions can be a function of ego and insecurity. We think we are funnier OR fear failure. Either way we deny what we get form our partners and then expect them to do all the work by answering our questions.
It is not the end of the world to say NO or ask questions in a scene. A skilled player does so while maintaining the YES AND… mentality while playing natural scenes. Our characters can say no and ask questions. Actor/Players have to ALWAYS YES AND…
But most often a NO or question is a lazy or insecure choice. We are not living the YES AND… heart, mind and soul. Instead we are thinking with OUR conscious mind, getting in the way of our characters.
Remember, when we try to be funny, we are usually JERKS. When we TRY to be clever we are usually JERKS, or simply disconnected.
Instead LISTEN WITH YOUR EYES and trust the words to be there. If you must say the words YES AND… when you want to say no with every fiber in your being. Catch yourself asking questions, then replace with a statement rich in details.
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