The first and most important rule of improvisation is “Yes, And.” This means that you accept whatever your scene partner has established, no matter how bizarre, and you build on it.
Example:
“Isn’t this a beautiful day? I never dreamed we would make it to Saturn!”
“Saturn really is gorgeous. Let’s get started building our Starbucks franchise! It’s sure to be a hit with interstellar travelers.”
The opposite of “Yes, And” is “Yes, But,” or simply “No.”
Example:
“Isn’t this a beautiful day? I never dreamed we would make it to Saturn!”
“We’re not on Saturn! This is a gas station in Akron.”
In the second example, the second actor negates the offer in order to work with his own idea. In the process, he undermines his scene partner, stalls the forward momentum of the scene, and creates mistrust in the audience.
When we show up with our own agendas, and we push them forward with disregard for what other people are trying to do, we are creating the same dynamic. What happens when you “yes, and” that idea instead of shutting it down? What happens when you engage with a spirit of curiosity instead of certainty?
