I need to unlearn many things in order to perform in class. Most of the time, I had a deer in the headlights reaction when called to do a scene. I'd go up and my mind would go blank on what to do, what to say. Despite trying to read up on online articles about how to do improv well, I couldn't quite get into it. I'd have lots of things that I wanted to keep in mind, but when actually doing a scene, they weren't there for me to draw upon.There's so much to keep in mind that I basically freeze.
However, from time to time, when I find something that I know about, I can have fun, and that's a nice feeling. It's fascinating to be a part of an improv scene that you know you and your fellow improv classmates helped create organically.
I know I'm not one of the better students in the class, but I'm proud of the fact that I took the class. It's good to continually try to push oneself outside of one's comfort zone. I've decided to sign up for the next level of improv classes, which start in a few weeks.
The main things I want to focus on for the next class are to:
1) Take risks. Don't be afraid to fail. Be bold.
2) Be playful.
3) Be specific. Add detail. Add history
4) Learn how to tilt a scene
5) Take action. Move a scene forward. Don't let a scene linger too long in one aspect.
6) Focus on space work.
7) Think "Yes and..."
8) Establish location character and relationship quickly