Created in the 1960’s by improv guru Del Close, The Harold is the most performed and revered structure in longform improv comedy. The Harold provides a framework for improvisers to explore the full potential of an audience suggestion. It allows the performers to delve into themes, meanings, and relationships that live beneath the suggestion.
The Harold structure is composed of three beats, with beats composed of 3 scenes each, and groups games used as a break between each beat. A goal of the form is to have the scenes in later beats align thematically with the scenes in earlier beats. This 3x3 structure is a challenge for improvisers first learning the form, but in the hands of seasoned performers, the form is consistently entertaining and satisfying.
A written description of the form is a lot to absorb, so for you visual learners, here's a diagram that better describes the structure. The most important takeaway is that The Harold is a cornerstone of modern comedy, and students of the form populate the cast and writing staff in many of today’s most acclaimed comedies in TV and film. So come to Harold Night and experience the Harold for yourself — you won't be disappointed.
