RECENTLY DE-CLASSIFIED INTEL FROM CHALLENGER H.Q.-

The most important aspect of TRUST, RESPECT, and COOPERATION… YES! is that these cannot be relegated to glossed-over platitudes.  Each of these are absolutely essential for a smooth running mission and that should be stressed from the get go! These are not just the qualities that will make you a valuable asset to any performance team, but they will make you a valuable asset in any SAFE-HOUSE and in any MISSION of ANY KIND. All Improv is based on these principles, but they must be specifically targeted in training. Ego and Fear cannot be wiped from the faces of our belt buckles, but they can be contained with the help of TOTAL ACCEPTANCE… and extra C-Rations… and donuts.

TRUST, along with RESPECT and COOPERATION can be divided into three target areas…

• TRUST and RESPECT Yourself. This means being trustworthy and worthy of respect.  Check in with your motivations for all your words and actions.  If you are motivated by self-gratification only… you have some work to do.  Be honest and open with who YOU are.  Share that without fear, and you are on your way.

• TRUST and RESPECT others. This one is actually harder than the first, but if you can look at your fellow agents and cadets and TRUST that they are doing the same work on being TRUSTWORTHY that you are… You can TRUST them. TRUST and RESPECT for Civilian audiences is also a must and is essential to your graduation from Cadet to full performing AGENT.

• TRUST and RESPECT your Environment.  This includes not just the space you are in, but those in charge of the space, which includes Mission Commanders and even the top brass.  That means that Mission Commanders and Top Brass have an obligation to EARN THAT TRUST AND RESPECT.  This is done the same way… Check in!  Control your ego and do nothing out of fear, whether it is a fear of losing face, popularity, or control.  Know what is right for your regiment and DO THAT!

• COOPERATION links to all other principles.  It is focusing on others, creating an ensemble, and the intention of doing BETTER every single day.  It is saying “YES, AND…” in every aspect of training and performance.  Trust, Respect, and Cooperation are LEARNABLE SKILLS… teach them! YES!

DEEP COVER, ASSET CONDITIONING and FIELD SITREP –

SAFE-HOUSE image reminding cadets to open their EYES.

All Challenger Agents must be able to look one another in the eye and KNOW that they are fully supported… that they CANNOT FAIL because their regiment would not allow it and would celebrate any failure as though it were a rousing success.  All operatives, top to bottom should be able to cross the threshold into their SAFE-house and feel a comfort and sanctuary that is of their own making as much as anything that has been made for them.  These skills should be addressed in EVERY training session.

BASIC TRAINING FOR ALL FIELD OPERATIVES –

Supportive side-coaching and modeling from Mission Commanders is the primary skill builder for TRUST, RESPECT, and COOPERATION, but the following drills should be employed EARLY and OFTEN…

The oldest ALLITERATIVE POSTER OF POSITIVITY. Inspiring graphics are the heart of Challenging Improv… and Supreme Mission Commander Johnny-son just loves to draw… win-win

• Trust falls and blindfolds.  They work.  Be creative and understanding as this will likely be the ONLY work your cadets have ever done in this area.  Demand FOCUS, but be patient.  BE SAFE!  Use mats, or grass, or much less gravity.  Physical contact is a necessity so take the time to build SAFE, NO PRESSURE systems to ask for it.  Take the time needed to make this unit WORK.

• Communication games. Any activity that puts the fate of one cadet in the hands of another cadet OR even a Mission Commander can help build TRUST and RESPECT.  There are many activities where cadets need to create their own language and communicate to achieve stated tasks (look up Parlor games as well as Improv TRUST games… the WHAT is never as important as the HOW in teaching these fundamental concepts)

• Chekhov’s Sticks. Passing sticks is an excellent TRUST builder.  Again, take the time to build up these skills with safety AND TRUST in mind.

• Again, any game where the success of one agent or cadet is dependent on other agents or cadets (SO many games!) is great for TRUST. Guessing War Games are obvious choices but Audience Insurgency Games and many Line Games can also focus on TRUST.

• Dancing and Fighting.  Any activity that uses shared movement is excellent for teaching TRUST, RESPECT, and COOPERATION.  Many standard games can be modified for Dancing and Fighting and there are specific skills for those, as well.  Again, take the time to build up these skills like a coach teaching how to “throw” before teaching the game of Hand Grenades… sorry.  Baseball… the game of Baseball.

BLACK BAG ACQUISITIONS FOR DOG AND PONY SHOWS –

Here’s a short list of Specific Performance Games that can mold your motley crew into a well oiled Improv Machine!

• Understudy. Many variations, but essentially you play a scene with a select “cast”, then someone is “suppressed” or has to leave and an “Understudy” who knows nothing about the scene has to replace that cast member.  The rest of the cast has to “Help” them succeed or just help themselves survive.

• Group What Are You Doing (There has to be a better name for this game, but that’s what H.Q. calls it). One agent is sent off while remaining agents (2 or 3) get an OFFER of an activity from Civilians.  The “off” agent returns and has to Perform that very specific activity.  The agents in the know cannot “Do” the activity, Touch or “force” the off agent to do the activity, or talk.  A great way to trust and earn trust.

• Mystery Expert.  Can be played as a Press Conference with more agents, but Mystery Expert is a great starting point.  “Expert” agent leaves while “Host” agent gets “profession or such” from the civilians in the form of a noun and verb (Motorcycle Swallower, Grenade Knitter… or whatever).  Expert comes back and has to “Guess” profession in an interview where the host cannot use specific words but still guides Expert to success.

• Tag Team.  Many variations.  Two agents duos play a scene and can tag in or out… should look a little like professional Wrestling and get more frenetic as the scene goes on. Agent duos should support each other while making it “Challenging” at the same time.

• Slow Motion Fight Scene To The Death.  Challenger H.Q. shows always ended with this game/scene.  The Scene would start with the music which could play at any point in a show (The Sleeper Command for Mission Self-Destruct is… Wunderbar!)  All Fight and Dance scenes were based on standard Stage Combat principles… Precision and Safety (Train before so you can just “DO’ on stage), Eye contact (Communication), Distance (Safety), Angles (Hide all the “Safety” from Audience), Selling Contact (Rarely and “Real” contact), Beats (For Rhythm and Communication), Knaps (Sound effects), FUN! (What’s the point if not “Fun”)