Caravan
The Caravan
The Caravan is a form created in 2024 by Michael Greene. It was created to introduce openings, premise, pattern based play, group games, and ensemble ownership of every aspect of the show to students in preparation for the Harold.
Structurally, the Caravan is simply any opening followed by a series of scenes. The only *strict* creative constraint is that "tag-outs" are not allowed in the form.
Thematically, the Caravan aims to display a large variety of scene types and stage pictures.
When teaching the Caravan as a class, improvisers are exposed to traditional group game "templates" such as:
- Hey everybody, get in here
- Help Desk
- Pile On
- Peel Off
- Sound and Movement
Improvisers are however encouraged to initiate scenes with no particular structure in mind, and instead observe the following guiding principles:
- the number of people in a scene is not necessarily the same as the number of points of view. (3 person scenes are often 2 pov's)
- a scene only requires that the entire ensemble invests in what has already happened
- the entire ensemble has ownership of every character and every comedic idea
Because "tag-outs" are prohibited, "walk-ons" become an essential tool for the ensemble.
"Walk-ons":
- Require the ensemble to manage sharing focus without the concrete edit that "tag-outs" offer
- good "walk-ons" have "walk-offs"
- "walk-ons" can be used to clarify base reality, point out unusually/funny behavior, or heighten established patterns
- This focus reinforces that every scene belongs equally to the improvisers in the scene **and** the backline.
While there is a strong focus on ensemble work, 2 person scenes are integral to the Caravan. The ensemble can support a 2-person scene through scenic backline support such as soundscapes, or direct support via "walk-ons". Finally, the ensemble is also encouraged to recognize when the best way to support a 2-person scene is to simply sweep edit.
There is the well-worn advice that group games should be 90% "yes" and 10% "and".
The Caravan asks, "What if an entire show followed this advice?"
