Challenge Masters

Improv Resources

What’s special about the Improv Challenge? k There is no written script. k It’s different every time. k Teaches kids to think on their feet. k No expense sheet. k No side trips. k No scenery in your garage in February. k There is no written script. k It’s different every time. k Teaches kids to think on their feet. k No expense sheet. k No side trips. k No scenery in your garage in February.

How do I teach Improv? k Improv games k Work on team-building skills. k Act out well known stories. Throw in twists. k Work on developing stories with a beginning, middle (conflict) and end (resolution). Freeze Frame. k Practice with different elements each time k Practice, practice, practice k Practice as if you were at the tournament. k Improv games k Work on team-building skills. k Act out well known stories. Throw in twists. k Work on developing stories with a beginning, middle (conflict) and end (resolution). Freeze Frame. k Practice with different elements each time k Practice, practice, practice k Practice as if you were at the tournament.

Rule regarding clothing and accessories k Items of clothing worn by the team may not be used as a part of the presentation or skit. k Jewelry, hair accessories, watches, glasses, or items from team members’ pockets may not be used as props or be incorporated in any way into the presentation. kTeams cannot bring physical props or scenery other than as described in the souvenir section. Teams may not wear costumes. k Items of clothing worn by the team may not be used as a part of the presentation or skit. k Jewelry, hair accessories, watches, glasses, or items from team members’ pockets may not be used as props or be incorporated in any way into the presentation. kTeams cannot bring physical props or scenery other than as described in the souvenir section. Teams may not wear costumes.

Create a Skit k Skit must integrate 3 improv elements and an unexpected problem. They must also present 3 souvenirs and a Master Prop. k Skit should be an original story about a MISSION involving a mythological creature. k Discuss with your team what a Mission is. Get them to give you examples and discuss what elements make up a mission. k Skit must integrate 3 improv elements and an unexpected problem. They must also present 3 souvenirs and a Master Prop. k Skit should be an original story about a MISSION involving a mythological creature. k Discuss with your team what a Mission is. Get them to give you examples and discuss what elements make up a mission.

SKIT k The skit will be planned in front of appraisers and audience in 5 minutes or less. k The skit itself will be 5 minutes. k Points will be: i Up to 20 for originality and creativity. i Up to 20 for a clearly developed story. k The skit will be planned in front of appraisers and audience in 5 minutes or less. k The skit itself will be 5 minutes. k Points will be: i Up to 20 for originality and creativity. i Up to 20 for a clearly developed story.

Improv Element 1 - Culture k Culture = Customs, social behavior, arts, beliefs, and/or languages that are common to or characterize a specific group of humans.

Culture (page 4) k Choose 6 countries and research one culture found within each country. Can be from any time period. k These countries will be written on TDF (Tournament Date Form) and will be randomly selected in the prep area. Team won’t know their selection until right before 5 minute planning time. (page 4) k Choose 6 countries and research one culture found within each country. Can be from any time period. k These countries will be written on TDF (Tournament Date Form) and will be randomly selected in the prep area. Team won’t know their selection until right before 5 minute planning time.

Scoring - or What are we looking for? k Creativity of how they incorporate research about the culture- First, we want to learn facts about the culture, but we also want to see these facts presented in a creative manner. More than just a list. Up to 20 points. k Effective Integration of the culture - Show how the culture is a part of the story. Up to 30 points. k Creativity of how they incorporate research about the culture- First, we want to learn facts about the culture, but we also want to see these facts presented in a creative manner. More than just a list. Up to 20 points. k Effective Integration of the culture - Show how the culture is a part of the story. Up to 30 points.

Improv Element 2 - Mythical Creature kA creature or individual without a known foundation in fact. kTeams will research mythical creatures from each of the cultures they selected and place one for each culture on the TDF. kSkit will include creature from the culture the team selected. kA creature or individual without a known foundation in fact. kTeams will research mythical creatures from each of the cultures they selected and place one for each culture on the TDF. kSkit will include creature from the culture the team selected.

Scoring k Creativity of incorporation of research about Mythical Creature (MC) - Give us facts, but do it in a creative way. Show, don’t just tell. Up to 20 points. k Effective Integration of MC into the skit. Make the MC fit into the story. How is it important to the action? Up to 20 points. k Creativity of incorporation of research about Mythical Creature (MC) - Give us facts, but do it in a creative way. Show, don’t just tell. Up to 20 points. k Effective Integration of MC into the skit. Make the MC fit into the story. How is it important to the action? Up to 20 points.

Tournament Data Form (tdf) for Culture and Mythical Being

Improv Element 3 - Souvenirs kSouvenirs are keepsakes that represent some aspect of a country or culture for visitors to remember. kTeam will use items from materials and connectors lists to portray souvenirs from the culture in their skit. kThey must portray 3 items as 3 separate souvenirs and then combine all 3 to make one Master Prop. kSouvenirs are keepsakes that represent some aspect of a country or culture for visitors to remember. kTeam will use items from materials and connectors lists to portray souvenirs from the culture in their skit. kThey must portray 3 items as 3 separate souvenirs and then combine all 3 to make one Master Prop.

(page 6) kMust choose 6 different materials to list on TDF. kIn the prep area, team will randomly draw 2 numbers to indicate which materials it will use. They won’t know these materials until right before their 5 minute planning time. (page 6) kMust choose 6 different materials to list on TDF. kIn the prep area, team will randomly draw 2 numbers to indicate which materials it will use. They won’t know these materials until right before their 5 minute planning time.

kTeam must select 6 different connectors and list them on TDF. kIf the item comes on a roll, or in a container, those may also be used. kAt the prep area team will randomly choose a number to indicate which connector they will use. They won’t know what it is until right before their 5 minute planning time. kMaterials may not have any enhancements or alterations. Words or pictures on materials may not be incorporated into the skit. kTeam must select 6 different connectors and list them on TDF. kIf the item comes on a roll, or in a container, those may also be used. kAt the prep area team will randomly choose a number to indicate which connector they will use. They won’t know what it is until right before their 5 minute planning time. kMaterials may not have any enhancements or alterations. Words or pictures on materials may not be incorporated into the skit.

TDF materials

TDF Connectors

Scoring k Each separate souvenir will receive 5 points if it is depicted as representing something in the Culture. These are gimme points - just make sure that they happen. kCreative integration of Souvenirs into skit. Show us how they are part of the story - Up to 15. kCreative use of materials in creating Master Prop. Use things in unusual ways. Up to 10. kCreative integration of Master Prop into performance. Make it part of the story - Up to 20. k Each separate souvenir will receive 5 points if it is depicted as representing something in the Culture. These are gimme points - just make sure that they happen. kCreative integration of Souvenirs into skit. Show us how they are part of the story - Up to 15. kCreative use of materials in creating Master Prop. Use things in unusual ways. Up to 10. kCreative integration of Master Prop into performance. Make it part of the story - Up to 20.

kTeam should practice interpreting and combining the items as different “souvenirs” in different scenarios. kPlay the prop game - pass an item around the group and each person must act out what the prop is. kIt is not the creativity of the materials used, but what the team does with the materials. kSpend time figuring out how to combine 3 items to make a prop that will become an important part of the story. Try various combinations kTeam should bring their materials in a container which will not be used in the skit.

Souvenir procedure kTeams will randomly select numbers to indicate their materials/connectors. kImmediately before planning time, announcer will tell them which souvenirs they will be using. kTeam will remove those items from their container. The remaining items may not be used. kSouvenirs may be altered during planning time but must be 3 distinct, separate items. kAt end of planning time, but before start of skit, team will place souvenirs in performance area to integrate at time of their choosing. kAfter 3 souvenirs have been presented individually, team will put them together as Master Prop and integrate it into the performance. kTeams will randomly select numbers to indicate their materials/connectors. kImmediately before planning time, announcer will tell them which souvenirs they will be using. kTeam will remove those items from their container. The remaining items may not be used. kSouvenirs may be altered during planning time but must be 3 distinct, separate items. kAt end of planning time, but before start of skit, team will place souvenirs in performance area to integrate at time of their choosing. kAfter 3 souvenirs have been presented individually, team will put them together as Master Prop and integrate it into the performance.

Improv Element 4 - Unexpected Problem kAn obstacle or issue the team will encounter during the skit. kMay be real or imaginary, simple or complex. kAn obstacle or issue the team will encounter during the skit. kMay be real or imaginary, simple or complex.

Unexpected Problem kIn the prep area, the team will randomly select a number which corresponds to an unexpected problem that must be portrayed in the skit. kAnnouncer will place a card with the problem on it, at a specific place in the performance area. The team may pick it up at any time during the skit and must integrate it into their performance. kIn the prep area, the team will randomly select a number which corresponds to an unexpected problem that must be portrayed in the skit. kAnnouncer will place a card with the problem on it, at a specific place in the performance area. The team may pick it up at any time during the skit and must integrate it into their performance.

Scoring kIntegration of the Unexpected Problem into the skit - how well it becomes part of the story - Up to 25. kCreative way team overcomes the unexpected problem. Not only must they portray the problem, they must come up with a solution to it. Up to 25 points. kIntegration of the Unexpected Problem into the skit - how well it becomes part of the story - Up to 25. kCreative way team overcomes the unexpected problem. Not only must they portray the problem, they must come up with a solution to it. Up to 25 points.

Teamwork kTeamwork - up to 30 points - they will be scored on teamwork during both planning and presentation times. Be sure they can be heard by appraisers during planning time. kTeamwork is more than saying “Good idea.” It’s about all members working well together. kDon’t let one member dominate the group. Make sure everyone contributes. kTeamwork - up to 30 points - they will be scored on teamwork during both planning and presentation times. Be sure they can be heard by appraisers during planning time. kTeamwork is more than saying “Good idea.” It’s about all members working well together. kDon’t let one member dominate the group. Make sure everyone contributes.

Overall Presentation kLooking at the performance as a whole - all of the elements come together to tell a complete, creative story. kThe team uses all elements and all team members to produce a finished product, including stage presence and acting. Up to 30 points. kLooking at the performance as a whole - all of the elements come together to tell a complete, creative story. kThe team uses all elements and all team members to produce a finished product, including stage presence and acting. Up to 30 points.

Team Provided Items kForms - 1 copy Declaration of Independence 5 copies of Tournament Data Form(2 pages) kTeam Sign - not scored. kResearch Notes - May be handwritten or typed - No scripts or scenarios. kMaterials and Connectors - 6 different types of each as listed on TDF. kA clean copy of the challenge. kForms - 1 copy Declaration of Independence 5 copies of Tournament Data Form(2 pages) kTeam Sign - not scored. kResearch Notes - May be handwritten or typed - No scripts or scenarios. kMaterials and Connectors - 6 different types of each as listed on TDF. kA clean copy of the challenge.

At the Tournament kCheck in 20 minutes before performance time. kBring all forms and materials. kAt the check-in/prep area, teams will randomly draw numbers for Cultures, Souvenirs and Unexpected Problem. They will not know their choices until right before planning time. kCheck in 20 minutes before performance time. kBring all forms and materials. kAt the check-in/prep area, teams will randomly draw numbers for Cultures, Souvenirs and Unexpected Problem. They will not know their choices until right before planning time.

At Performance Site kTeams will stand at launch area with their souvenir container. kAnnouncer will announce all of their elements. kTeam will remove 3 materials from container. kTeam will get 5 minutes to plan their skit and use of souvenirs. They may use the whole performance area during this time. If they are ready before the 5 minutes are up, they can tell the announcer. During this time they are being judged for teamwork. kAt end of 5 minutes, team will place souvenirs in performance area then return to launch area. kAnnouncer will tell them to begin, and stop them if they aren’t done in 5 minutes. kTeams will stand at launch area with their souvenir container. kAnnouncer will announce all of their elements. kTeam will remove 3 materials from container. kTeam will get 5 minutes to plan their skit and use of souvenirs. They may use the whole performance area during this time. If they are ready before the 5 minutes are up, they can tell the announcer. During this time they are being judged for teamwork. kAt end of 5 minutes, team will place souvenirs in performance area then return to launch area. kAnnouncer will tell them to begin, and stop them if they aren’t done in 5 minutes.

Special Rules for Improv kIntent of the challenge- to create a unique improvisational skit based on the specific combination of Elements drawn at the tournament. It is expected that teams will choose to use and include some of the ideas that come from their practice sessions. As long as the team does not bring its ideas for scenarios, potential characters, etc, into the prep area in written form, using the ideas is acceptable and in keeping with the intent of this challenge.