Status Swap
1970s-present
Also known as Status Reversal, Status Shift
Two players play a scene establishing a high/low status relationship; a signal or turning point causes statuses to flip, and players must maintain the scene while inverting physical/vocal signals.
Known for
- Classic Johnstone status exercise; expanded in Impro (1979).
- Physical signals flip: eye contact, space occupation, vocal confidence.
- Reveals how status is performed, not assigned — any line can be played high or low.
- Forms the basis for scenes in Theatresports and Johnstone's Loose Moose training.
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Referenced by
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