For this improvisational activity, the actors select a random setting (or receive a suggested location from the audience). Then, the actors perform a quick, relatively “normal” scene. Here’s a basic example of what might unfold:
Setting: Driver’s Education ClassDriving Instructor: All righty, welcome to Mr. Fred’s Driver’s Ed. You must be, Marty.
Marty: Yeah. Do I get to drive now?
Driving Instructor: Anxious are we? That’s a good sign. Let’s hop in and we’ll see what you can do!
(They pantomime getting into the car.)
Marty: Nice car.
Driving Instructor: Thanks. Don’t forget to buckle up.
Mom: (Waddling into the scene.) And don’t forget me!
Marty: Mom, I told you to stay home! I’m forty-two years old. I don’t need you to be here.
Mom: (Pantomimes getting into the back seat.) I paid for this class; I get to watch.
Driving Instructor: Well, let’s get started. Carefully pull forward and exit the parking space.
Marty: (Pantomiming driving.) There! How did I do?
Driving Instructor: Fine. Except you didn’t take off the parking brake, you were in reverse, and you ran over a little dog.
Mom: My poodle!
(End Scene.)
After a minute or less, the scene stops and the moderator (or one of the lead actors) announces that the scene needs a more specific genre. Suggestions can be taken from the audience. Or, the actors may wish to have a “line up” of genres already prepared.
Here are some genre ideas:
- Romance
- Science Fiction
- Horror / Suspense
- Fantasy
- Old 1940s Movies
- Prehistoric Times
- Musical
- Wildlife Documentary
- Western
Once a genre has been obtained, the cast performs the scene once again, this time adding appropriate – and hopefully hilarious – alterations. After the scene plays out, it is performed again with yet another genre, and the cycle continues.
For example, the Driver’s Ed scene could be mixed with some of the above genres to produce the following results:
- Prehistoric: A caveman instructor teaches a young Neanderthal how to drive a woolly mammoth.
- Science Fiction: The domineering Emperor teaches a disgruntled Darth Vader how to fly a Tie Fighter. Jar Jar Binks (instead of the Mother character) comes along for the ride.
- Musical: The cast sings an impromptu musical number about the joys of the DMV.
- Romance: Marty’s lesson is interrupted when his Mom and the Driving instructor fall madly in love.
As with most improvisational scenes, there’s no set rule as to how many scenes should be performed. However, it’s always good to end on a high note. If one of the scenes generates a really big laugh, that’s a good place to draw the curtain!
