AN IMPROV TO SOUNDS FROM THE AUDIENCE
Improvising at Celebration Barn / 1980’s
A master of improvisation, Tony opened the world of improv to much more than comedy. He taught an approach to improvisation that would produce complete stories always winding down to a unique conclusion whether alone, as a duet or as an ensemble. What unfolds in this improvisation with Leland Faulkner is not comedy. We see two samurai warriors who experience death on the battle field. The audience doesn’t always need to laugh. Here, the applause is offset by the sadness and tragedy of the scene. It is not always necessary to hear applause and laughter for an improvisation to have been a successful improvisation. It is what Tony described as “open improvisation.”
-MM
