IMPROV SKILLS WORKSHOP MENU
Below is a sampling of workshops taught by Karla Dingle. These offerings can be done as a one day workshop for 2-4 hours or can be explored further in courses ranging from 2-8 sessions. Customized workshops can be created to address organizational needs and skill levels as well.
IExplore different types of touchstones from vocal to tactile to physical. Do you find yourself drifting in your scene? You start off with a strong choice but let do of it as the scene progresses? You need a touchstone! A touchstone in scene work is something you keep returning to in order to maintain choices, emotions, relationships and dynamics throughout your scene.
Touchstones
Spend the workshop focusing on vulnerability on stage. Vulnerability is bravery in it’s purest form. It is the willingness to see and to be seen; a choice to stand in front of the world, in all of one’s imperfect glory and say, ‘take me as I am’. Learn how to bring that out on stage by tapping into your emotions and experiences.
Finding Vulnerability
Improv is about playing, scene work is about the game. Learn how to find your character’s game first. Then, use that game to challenge your partner’s game. Once that is accomplished, it’s all about repeating and heightening and using your game to establish the dynamics of that relationship.
Game of the Relationship
Creating a “back story” for your character generally refers to the process of inventing details about the history of the character’s life. You’ll discover a character who is three-dimensional and more lifelike; rich in personality, experiences, world-views and opinions – one an audience can identify as a real person. And make choices that allow a character’s backstory to grow as the scene develops.
Improvise Your History
Sometimes what’s NOT said is more powerful than what IS said. In this workshop, improvisers will explore AND exploit the unknown or unsaid as their characters navigate through scenes. Discover how secrets and lies add depth and definition to scene work. Create strong dynamics through working to keep the secrets and lies unsaid.
Secrets and Lies
In this workshop, you'll focus on your character stating one of these three statements out loud to ground the scene, define the relationship dynamics and create emotional responses. You'll find that the connection and intimacy will follow these statements as you explore what your character is feeling.
I Want! I Need! I Feel!
Do you often think that scene looks amazing, let's join? Or I have a great idea, let me come on stage and share it? Then, this 2 hour online class is for you. We'll figure out when to walk on, when to walk off and when to just stay off stage and watch.
Walk On! Walk Off!
“What's in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet.” ― William Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet
Let’s play with names in our improv scene and discover what it does to develop characters and relationships! We’ll play with proper names, pet names, honorifics and use repetition to help remember the names you’ve given your scene partner.
What's In a Name?!
Karla also provides coaching services for improv teams and duos of all ages. Through these sessions, she can work with the team on increasing both connections and trust as well as refine skills through side coaching and notes. Karla has coached improvisers from around the world both online and in person.