Synonyms
Um Err. Alexa and Google.
Introduction
In this scene the performers will turn to audience volunteers for offers during the scene.
Description
The performers randomly turn to on stage audience volunteers (the Pillars) and signal them for an offer to be incorporated into the scene. Regardless of the content of the offers the performers should strive to keep a narrative arc.
The host chooses welcomes and carefully explains the handle to two audience vollies. Typically two audience volunteers are seated at the front of the stage on the left and right. They are instructed that when a performer taps them on the shoulder they should call out the first thing that comes into their head. They don’t have to try and be funny just let things happen.
For example, consider a scene that is nicely progressing with two characters in a ox drawn cart discussing how they feel about fourier transformations. Then one of the performers taps one of the Pillars and the audience member says “Goats.” The performer must incorporate goats into the scene. They may propose that only old goats talk about math troubles. Or they may say the oxen are tired and replace them with goats. It is stronger to insert the offer into the exising narrative as opposed to adding more to the scene “we are being attacked by flying zombie goats again.”
The audience volunteers must be treated mighty fine. Their offers are more important than any other offer. If a show wants to alienate its audience immediately and permanently abuse your audience vollies.
Gimmicks
- Keep tapping one brave audience member
Variations
- Um Err – Performers trigger audience offer by saying Um Err?
- Google and Alexa – performers call out to their artificially intelligent, in home, data collecting, privacy violating computer overlords.
Credits
- Who would you credit?