Synonyms
Party Labels. Read Between the Spines. Word on the Back. Endowment Party.
Introduction
These performers are all at a party and each one has a fun quirk that they don’t know about. Each performer will be sent into the sound proof parking lot and be endowed with a fun quirk.
Description
Party Quirks is a handle where the performers are endowed with a fun quirk that they must guess by getting clues from other performers. It is strongly recommended to review Endowments to get a handle on the tips and tricks for running a successful Party Quirks.
Once the host has efficiently and painlessly endowed each performer with a fun quirk the scene starts with one performer on stage. Typically, the first performer will be setting up for a party, but this convention is entirely unnecessary. The scene could take place anywhere, however, beware of spending too much time setting this scene up. As performers arrive, they will create characters as they would for any scene. The scene should also follow a narrative and not digress into a guessing game.
Performers enter the scene and engage in pathetic small chat like at all parties. Other guests at the party will drop hints to get the performer to guess what their fun quirk is. When a performer thinks they know what their quirk is they will let everyone know by taking on the quirk. The performer should avoid announcing their quirk they should just start doing it. If they are wrong the audience will guide them and their stage mates will give more hints. The audience should be primed on how to support and direct the guesses of the performers. As the party progresses more performers join. Performers that know what their fun quirk is may leave or stay and help give hints to other performers. Once all performers have identified their quirks the scene may gracefully be put out of all our misery.
There is also no reason why this could not be a cold start with all performers on stage at a party in progress. Don’t let the success of structured televised improv comedy determine what your house does on stage.
The performers are being endowed with fun quirks. They are not being endowed with real ailments or illnesses. The following human ailments are not fun quirks to endow performers with depression, seizures, Tourette’s, tics, lisps, gender dysphoria, ethnic descriptors, etc. Perform at the top of your intelligence. In this case the pithy aphorism means to avoid gags and gimmicks that exploit the illnesses of others. It never was okay, and it’s not the 90s anymore.
Gimmicks
- Everyone forgets what quirk the performer was endowed with.
Variations
- Quirk on the Back – Performers have a name written and taped on their back or attached to their forehead somehow.
Credits
- Information appreciated.