Written by Tommy Delp
When it comes to improv, many forms aren’t heavily documented. It can be difficult, if not outright impossible, to trace the origins of your favorite activity or exercise.
If you’re looking for something that’s definitely local to Rochester though, consider checking out “Baptist Revival.” This call-and-response game for three improvisers is sure to get any crowd riled up!
Preaching to the Choir
With “Baptist Revival,” each improviser takes on the role of a public speaker at a conference or convention. The event’s topic is determined via audience suggestion.
Player #1 starts by establishing a call and response with the audience and then delivering a character-driven monologue related to the topic.
Once player #1 finishes, player #2 repeats the process with their own unique character, adding an additional call and response on top of the previous one. This pattern continues a final time, with player #3 throwing one more call and response into the mix during their monologue.
The game gets its name from the passionate and high-energy style of speaking that a preacher might use at a stereotypical Baptist church.
When played properly, the audience is challenged by the rapid fire call-and-response element, hopefully matching the fevered delivery of the improvisers.
Austin Scott is a founding member of Rochester-based improv troupe Ants to Gods and part of the management here at The Focus Theater.
“My number one tip is to very clearly initiate the call and response,” he said.
Local Legends
Since “Baptist Revival” heavily involves audience participation, it’s important to make their role in the game clear. Each cue should be simple and explicitly given.
When introducing new concepts, many short-form games utilize a specific initiation sequence or phrasing. With this one, an improviser might say something like:
When I say [A], you say [B].
“The magic of this game is getting the entire crowd to say their stuff in unison,” Scott added.
“Baptist Revival” also makes use of skills that aren’t always needed for normal scene work. Monologuing, for example, requires performers to show a certain amount of concentration and confidence.
“This game forces you to not only monologue, but to do it in a way that is actually engaging, and that can be daunting,” Scott said.
For many people, improv is more than a fun hobby or way to express themselves. If you’re trying to improve your public speaking, “Baptist Revival” can be a great exercise.
Ultimately though, what makes the game unique is the call-and-response element at its core.
“In all the festivals I've been to and all the other cities I've done improv in,” Scott said. “I've never seen anybody play a … call-and-response short form game.”
While the details are a little fuzzy, “Baptist Revival” can be traced back to the Rochester Institute of Technology’s improv comedy club, RIT Improv.
“This was an Improvessionals original,” Scott, who was previously president of RIT Improv, added. “This probably came out around … 2011 or so.”
Almost fifteen years later and “Baptist Revival” is still riling up crowds across Rochester. Praise be!
For those of you interested in learning more about RIT Improv, check out Improvamonium! The club’s annual improv festival is right around the corner and features many troupes from Western New York and the surrounding area.