One of the most basic improvisational exercises, which is ideal for those who just starting out on the road to improv, is the “Simple Task” exercise, which allows actors to fully engage their body and mind by performing tasks they are familiar with.
Improving simple tasks is ideal for the actor who has never engaged in improvisation as he fully understands these tasks; however, the actor should delve deeper than the “simple” nature of these tasks, and place an emotion behind his movements.
Step 1:
Inform the actors that they are to perform a simple task; however, before they begin, give each actor time to uncover the: Who, What, Where and Why of the scenario. If you notice an actor simply performing the movements without any emotion or purpose, stop his actions and ask him questions regarding his character and physical choices.
Step 2:
Instruct the actor to perform a simple task. Examples of such tasks include: Dressing for a specific occasion, sitting outside in a park, reading a book or magazine, searching for something, packing his belongings, stealing something or waiting for a specific reason.
Step 3:
After you have given an actor a simple task, elaborate on this task. Give him a purpose for doing it. For example, the task is to wait in a hospital waiting room; however, expand on this and tell the actor that he is there because his grandmother is very sick and is about to die. After he performs this task, change the motivation to waiting in the waiting room because his wife is giving birth. Change the task one more time to waiting in a car dealership to get his oil changed. Allow the actor to perform each task for one to two minutes before changing.
After the actor has performed all three of his tasks, have him describe his purpose within the scene. Ask him questions such as, “Why were you sitting the way you were?” “What was going through your mind?” “How did you feel about the improv?
