“Bigger … louder …weirder!” Tracy Burns director of the Pepperdine Improv Troupe shouts across the theater to her improvisational students immediately after Wednesday Morning Chapel.
In a miniature theater located in an often-overlooked corner of the Payson Learning Center a group of 18 students gather for an improv workshop. Led by Burns the lively energetic group forms a circle at the front of the theater for a warm-up of deep breathing exercises head rolls leg kicks and what Burns calls “shaking it out.”
After the warm-up workshop participants practiced walking in character—literally. Students practiced walking in different ways from a limp to a side-to-side stagger portraying a different character with each walk. According to Burns this is the simplest quickest and most effective way to pop into character.
“At first I was trying to be a serious character like a mobster said Bobby Forestal, a sophomore improv student. Then I tried a goofy character.”
Forestal said facial expressions are the most interesting part of improv.
“Your facial expression must match the tone of your voice he said. Otherwise, the character won’t work.
It is also important for improv students to be able to step out of their own skin Forrestal said saying quick thinking helps in that task.
According to Burns improv provides valuable life skills that are essential to everyday interaction.
“It’s good training for public speaking teaching working in teams and problem-solving activities Burns said. It builds confidence and teaches people to think well on their feet.”
Pepperdine did not offer improv classes until Burns started the course this semester. Now students like Forestal say that meeting every Wednesday from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. gives them an opportunity to learn about improv and sharpen their existing improv skills.
“I hope to gain a better understanding of what improv is all about Forestal said.
The workshop meets seven times during spring semester. More information can be obtained by contacting Tracy Burns at TracyBurnsPIT@aol.com.
