To Inform the Audience About Improv and Stand up Comedy

Purpose: To inform the audience about Improv and Stand Up Comedy.

Organization Pattern: Topical

Introduction

Attention Getter: What is one of those simple yet universal things in life that connects us all, and makes us more human? It’s one of my favorite things in the world, and that is comedy.

Relevance: Comedy is a valued part of our everyday lives. Specifically I’d like to talk about two forms of comedy most prevalent in our society; improv comedy and stand up comedy. Both of which have interesting histories and bright futures ahead of them. They also have much more structure and work put into then than most people think. Slate.com has a great article on the history and structure of stand up comedy, as well as sundaynightimprov.com who has a similar article on the history and structure of improv comedy.

Credibility: Growing up I have always had a love for all things comedy. Later on in highschool, for all four years, I was in speech and even got so far as to compete on the state level in humorous duet acting. I am also planning on taking improv classes in Chicago next year, after I receive my welding certificate and find a job in the Chicago area.

Preview: So now, we find ourselves at the best starting point starting point I can think of. The Beginning.

Transition:  Ahh yes, the beginning, and what better way to begin, than to start with the history of both stand up, and improv comedy.

II. Body

The history of improv comedy.

1.  According to the Encyclopedia of Chicago.org, Improvisational comedy dates back to the 1930s in the WPA (Works Progress Administration), when Viola Spolin developed improvised theater games with focused play. Viola then moved to Chicago in the 1950s and founded an improv workshop with the compass players, America’s first professional improv group.

2. Among the compass players was a man named Del Close. According to  Encyclopedia of Chicago.org Del is now considers the founding father of modern day comedy. Close saw improv less as a tool for theater and more as an entirely separate form of acting/comedy. He went on to direct at The Second City in Chicago, as well as founded Improv Olympics.

Past alumni of Second City include Bill Murray, Dan Ackroy, and Steve Carell.

      B.  The structure of improv comedy

There are two main types of structured improv; short form, and long form improv. Short form improv is the type of improv you see on Whose Line is it Anyway?, where the performer sets up a simple game, asks for a suggestion, and then creates jokes and punchlines from the suggestion given.

There’s a great video on YouTube by On The Cusp, Off The Cuff, that helps outline long form improv. Whereas short form improv is like a short comedic bit, long form improv is more like a comedic story. Long form is typically longer and more complex.

The most common long form improv structure is called “The Harold”. The Harold is made up of 8 players, and begins with suggestion and opening based on said suggestion.

What is talked about in the opening is then used in 2 sets of 4 scenes (6 two man scenes, and 2 group scenes). Each scene builds on the previous scenes in both story and comedy.

    C.  The history of stand up comedy

Stand up can trace its roots back to vaudeville in the first few decades of the 20th century.  According to Britannica.com, Bob Hope was the most predominant person to develop and popularize stand up comedy in the 1950s.

Then in the early 60s a man named Lenny Bruce came on the scene and pushed the envelope.