Next Deb expanded on the already amazing amount of information she had imparted to the group by introducing a few more concepts of improv: "Always say yes to what your partner asks you, no matter how silly. Acknowledge what your partner said [and then expand on that] by saying 'and' and adding a supporting statement to your partner's comment."

Thus, Deb had fully indoctrinated the workshop in the improv basic: "Yes, and . . ."

Continuing, Deb introduced the concepts of cooperation and relaxation, "Always make your partner look good and have fun doing it. Don't strain the effort. Just let it happen." By now each and every soul was willing and able to do so.

The next exercise took the form of a "pop quiz." Deb demonstrated the concept by standing in front of the group and making what would appear to be rather mundane comments.

The class's job was to answer her questions, which she paused to pose to individuals, and, regardless of what they said, it was an absolutely correct answer. She let herself be led by the new "fact" as she continued her story and asked each student a question in turn.

Beside creating a side-splitting routine, this demonstration reinforced the class's understanding of "your partner is always right" with the "yes, and . . ." points of improv. And, like the previous exercise, it gave every student a practical and personal example that they themselves could cling to.

In Deb's next exercise she selected a few students at random and created a skit by asking a simple question from another student: "What do they do?" (Ala Whose Line is it Anyway?)

The first skit included a talk show host and a track-and-field trainer for cheetahs followed by a person who makes clothes out of asparagus. Both kept the rest of the group laughing hard and again strengthened the basic points of improv.

The next demonstration began with Deb describing her day with the catch students could completely change her direction by shouting out, "No you didn't!"

Once again, the entire room rang with laughter as Deb described the insane situations of her day that were constantly being shaped by the students.

"I woke up this morning," Deb said.

"No you didn't!" the class shouted.

"I didn't get out of bed this morning," she tried again.

"No you didn't!"

"I'm dead!"

Deb then broke the class up into pairs and spread them around the room to experience being both parts of a "No you didn't!" team.