Yes, yes we do! [MERGE WITH OTHER]

One partner makes a emotional imperative statement and their partner enthusiastically accepts that perspective. Warm up with acceptance of who they are. 

Duration: Any
Participants: Any
Erica Marxby 

Goal

practice supporting offers immediately
accepting offers
justification and being specific
being in the moment, doing it now
connect with each other emotionally & discover from there

Materials

    Instructions

    Form lay-up lines on either side of the stage.

    Game 1: Yes, Yes, I am
    The player on stage left endows the player on stage right with a strong emotional perspective (“You think Ringo is the best Beatle”).

    The player from stage right accepts the perspective (“Yes, I do’) and 
    commits through several lines of dialogue (“He voices Thomas the Tank Engine” / “I own every Thomas trinket there is”).

    Lessons:

    • “Yes” is funny – there’s a surprise unique to improvisation in watching a player accept a perspective thrust upon him/her. The “Yes” of acceptance stands to be funnier than anything else even the cleverest person might have responded with.

    • Specificity heightens the funny of acceptance – “Have you ever eaten a train, piece by piece, after you derailed it with your penis?” “Yes – for charity.”*

    When we negotiate the bizarre, we (and the audience) get bogged down trying to make sense. When we accept the bizarre, we (and the audience) explore and heighten fun worlds where the bizarre is “real.” [* thank you Mr. Show]

    • Commit even (especially) if you don’t know: There’s always a way to agree. “You’re a sycophant.” Don’t know what that word means? “Yessir, I only describe myself in adjectives that being with ‘s’.” 


    Game 2: Yes, Yes, we do!
    The player on stage left runs on with an emotional imperative (“We have to find the remote!”).

    The player 
    from stage right enthusiastically accepts the perspective (“Oh, God, quick; Last Man Standing is coming on!”) and commits through several lines of dialogue (“He voices Thomas the Tank Engine” / “I own every Thomas trinket there is”). 


    Note
    We ARE (not we should)

    Background

    Improv as Improv does best curriculum

    https://improvdoesbest.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/Character-Relationship-Curriculum-IAIDB-2018.pdf

    Author

    I help teams connect, collaborate, and perform at their best in both virtual and in-person environments. As an executive and leadership coach, I design highly engaging experiences where people can think together, navigate challenges, and strengthen the way they work. With a background in leadership coaching, facilitation, and applied improvisation, I create interactive retreats, conferences, and networking events that energize participants and create lasting impact. My work creates the conditions for psychological safety, honest communication, and deep collaboration, allowing teams to build trust, navigate challenges, and achieve meaningful results together. I am deeply committed to mission-driven organizations. As a board member of the International Applied Improvisation Network, I partner with nonprofit and social justice leaders to help their teams thrive in fast-changing environments.

    More about author

    0 Ratings 

    No ratings yet.

    0 Comments

    Please Log in or Sign up for a FREE SessionLab account to continue.