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Be changed


Whoopee cushions are great. It’s fun to see people change when they sit down and the sound of a big juicy fart cuts loose. There’s something enjoyable about seeing people be altered. That’s also true in interactive performance. When spects realize that they can make you change, it makes them happy.

The key to being changed is to play strong on the outside while being vulnerable on the inside. Change involves such risks as looking inconsistent, incompetent, or foolish. Embrace these risks. Even if your character would rather not change, allow it to happen for the sake of the spect or the story.

There are many reasons that your character might change. Something strikes a nerve. Someone else has leverage or knows your weakness. Whatever the cause, make the change visible. Don’t rely on words alone. When you change your mind, change your body. Shift your physical position. Alter your expression. Change is more satisfying when it’s reflected in the body.

Change can happen instantly or incrementally. Each approach has its own benefits. Incremental change is useful when someone’s trying to change you. Let them see that they’re making headway. Your struggle is obvious, which encourages spects to push harder. It’s fun for them to fight battles that they know they’re winning. There’s also something exciting about an instantaneous, unexplained change. It’s intriguing because spects want to know what made it happen.

Change is an essential part of any conflict. When characters obstruct each other’s goals, they try to change each other to get what they want. Fight with total commitment, but also be vulnerable. Pursue your goals, but let others change you to achieve theirs.

Not all change comes from conflict. Others can change your character without even trying to do so. A person wishes you happy birthday and you become angry. Your boss walks in and you go from big and bold to meek and mild. They’re not trying to change you, but it happens nonetheless.

Tools of change

Here are a variety of tools that come in handy when you need to be changed.

Take the hit – This type of change happens a lot. Your character alters emotions because of something that someone says or does. They may be trying to change you or they may not. It doesn’t matter. Any offer can elicit an emotional change. Take the hit and let the change be seen.

Bret announces, “I picked up some groceries.” Zoey straightens up in shock. “You did?!”

Play for the loss – When conflict happens, someone eventually needs to win. Stalemates are seldom satisfying. You can keep stories moving forward by playing for the loss. Fight for your character’s objective while creating opportunities for your opponent to win. Parents often play for the loss when running footraces with their children.

Haruki’s editor is refusing her request to go abroad to cover a story. He tells her, “I can’t send you on an international assignment. You’d need to have a passport.” “But I do have a passport!” “You do?” “Of course.” He begrudgingly relents, “Alright, but you’re flying coach.”

Change on 3 – Conflict without variety becomes tedious. A way to keep things interesting is to change on the third repetition. It might be a change of tactics, raising the stakes, or revealing a vulnerability. If you find yourself past the third repetition and things are going nowhere, change immediately.

Maria’s little sister is begging to come along. “Can I go with you?” “No.” “Pleeease?” “I said no.” “But I really want to.” “Fine. But you’re staying in the car.”

Gap response – When the spect has an idea of how your character is likely to respond, it’s fun to introduce an unexpected change. Doing something that seems out of character adds intrigue to a story.

Harold has disliked all of his daughter’s previous boyfriends. But when she brings home her latest one, her father is unexpectedly friendly with him.

Reveal – A surprising change can reveal something hidden. You might drop the mask to reveal how your character really feels or have an unforeseen change of alliance. Reveals pack a punch when they are sudden and unexpected.

Dex has been a loyal member of the gang. But when Marco orders him to shoot a cop, Dex turns his gun on Marco. “No, I’m not shooting a fellow officer.”

Status shift – An effective way to communicate change is through an alteration in your character's status. It can go from low to high or high to low.

Asha is a mild and soft-spoken mother. But when a bully starts to tease her child, Asha becomes an aggressive and formidable force to be reckoned with.

Achilles’ heel – When you need to justify change, have an Achilles’ heel—something that is your character’s vulnerability. You don’t need to know what it is in advance. An Achilles’ heel can be inspired by anything that the spect introduces.

Wanda has been unsuccessful in convincing the bank to give her a loan. But when the bank officer discovers that they both love cats, she bends the rules and approves Wanda’s application.

Take responsibility – You can create an unexpected change in your character by assuming blame or credit for something. This works even if it wouldn’t first seem as though you’re the one responsible. Include a status shift when you change.

“My mom is coming to visit.” Benson hangs his head in shame. “Yeah, sorry about that. I shouldn’t have invited her without checking with you first.”

Hold strong to your character, but don’t let that get in the way of letting others change you.

Updated: July 23, 2024

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Encyclopedia of Interactive Performance