Online Improv Elective: Beyond Words - Silent and Non-Verbal Improv

Level: intermediate

The Nursery/Maydays longform electives are classes on specific aspects of longform improvisation Some of these classes focus on skills and some on forms, some on narrative ideas and some on Chicago-style longform. In these classes, students will have the opportunity to play sidecoached longform sets with particular focuses and feedback from the teacher.

“The music is not in the notes, but in the silence in between.” Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.

Discover what happens when we take away the spoken words in our improvisation. Everything else becomes so important – subtle changes in body language, gestures and facial expression speak volumes; non-verbal sounds and noises define a character or say the unspeakable; music, sound effects and other background noises become foreground; the written word may make an appearance – either subtle or blunt.

In this playful class we will explore creating scenes using little to no spoken words and dialogue. Some of the work we do will be subtle and delicate, some intense and dramatic, but don’t worry, we will also be doing some silly and goofy things too (silent melodramas anyone?).

Syllabus includes:

Getting comfortable: pushing past the pressure we feel to use words as soon as possible when in a scene.

Not speaking much, but saying lots: working those non-verbal communication muscles to maximum effect to create characters with points of view, and to make offers and build on them.

Background noise: creating atmosphere and even narrative using background sounds and music.

Silent genres: playing with silent or minimally verbal tropes and genres we are familiar with through film and tv, from the serious to the silly.

Min. participants 6, max. participants 8. If we have to cancel the event due to low numbers, we will do this with 24 hours notice.

This intermediate elective runs Saturday 23rd January 4 pm – 6.30 pm GMT

Intermediate (3/6 months+) These classes will be opportunities to add tools to your growing toolbox. Normally these classes will expect players to be confident playing scenes. These classes will provide practice and specific new skills.

NB: Our electives frequently sell out, but do not despair if this class has. You have not missed your shot. If enough people join the waiting list, we are often able to put the same class on a few days after or in parallel. So if you were excited, join up and we will be in touch.