The Encyclopedia of Interactive Performance

When an offer mirrors a previous offer, it’s a parallel offer. When an offer is relevant but not identical to a previous offer, it’s a complementary offer.

Mr. Philips is hanging lights on the Christmas tree. Mrs. Philips helps her husband string up the lights. Joslyn puts presents under the tree. Conner appears at the front door, back from college for the holiday break.

Mrs. Philips’ hanging of the lights is a parallel offer because it’s the same as Mr. Philips’ initial offer. Joslyn’s introduction of the presents is a complementary offer because it’s relevant, but not identical, to the offer of stringing lights on the Christmas tree. Connor’s arrival home is also a complementary offer because it builds on the idea of the holiday that is inherent in the previous offers.

Parallel offers reinforce existent details, while complementary offers introduce new details that are relevant to the world established by the previous offers.

Parallel offers can become a crutch when they’re used as a way to avoid generating new story details. If making complementary offers is difficult, don’t allow parallel offers to become a crutch. Develop your ability to do both. You serve spects best when you can make any kind of offer with ease.