Yes, And is one of the basic pillars of improv because it provides the most opportunity for creativity and collaboration amongst scene partners! The game itself is very simple. In an improv exercise, actors are required to accept their fellow actors\u2019 ideas and build on them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By forcing actors to accept and develop each other\u2019s ideas rather than reject them, they are able to support each other, work as a team, and in they process they learn to go with the flow and have fun with improv rather than be intimidated by it. Compare this to Yes, And\u2019s opposite: No, But. By denying their scene partner with \u201cNo,\u201d actors are rejecting their partner\u2019s idea and the scene stalls before it is able to build momentum and establish a clear and exciting story. (Yes, But is a fun game that easily follows Yes, And since it\u2019s agreeing to your scene partner\u2019s premise. No can work for more advanced actors as long as they are saying yes to the premise of the scene but their character is saying no.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Take a look at these examples:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Scene 1:<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt\u2019s so hard being a cowboy with no cows.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYes, and I can\u2019t believe all of the cows would rather hang out with the sheepherder than us.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYes, and I think we should steel the sheep from the sheepherder to get payback.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Scene 2:<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt\u2019s so hard being a cowboy with no cows.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNo, but we aren\u2019t even cowboys, so how would we know?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

See the difference? The first scene could theoretically go on forever, with both actors building on the ideas of one another to create an interesting story. In the second exercise, it\u2019s clear that both actors have very different ideas about the direction they want the scene to go but are unwilling to compromise and collaborate. What you\u2019re left with is an uncomfortable situation in which the actors are butting heads and are not able to develop the plot.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Scene 3:<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt\u2019s so hard being a cowboy with no cows.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNo, it\u2019s not the lack of cows that\u2019s getting to me. It\u2019s hanging around you and your negativity!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This third scene shows a variation of Yes, And once you\u2019ve gotten the hang of it. You don\u2019t always have to say Yes, And to be saying yes to your partner. You simply have to agree to the situation your partner sets up, and then react by adding more information that will lead the scene and the relationship somewhere interesting. Can you imagine where this scene might go next? If it feels like there is still momentum, then the actors have said yes even when saying no.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Scene 4:<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt\u2019s so hard being a cowboy with no cows.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYes, but at least we don\u2019t have to milk them all day.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Yes, But is another way to say yes to your acting partner\u2019s situation and then adding something more. It tends to lead towards a discussion about the pros and cons of a situation, so it develops relationship.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Before diving into the variations of Yes, But or the more advanced No, make sure you have fully tried out the fun and simplicity Yes, And!<\/p>\n\n\n\n