Using word association to make unexpected connections for jokes. The Pattern Game is an improvisation exercise that trains you to find unexpected connections and loop back to your premise—essential skills for both improvisers finding the game of a scene and standup comedians mining a bit for multiple punchlines. How it …
THE GAME OF THE SCENE
The game of the scene is an oft-discussed topic in improvisation. In standup comedy, we would call it a premise or a setup. But the game isn’t just the setup itself—it’s the specific unusual pattern or logic within that premise that’s actually funny. Here’s how it breaks down: Setup/Premise: “My …