The Art of the Nib

So you want to play Freeze? Awesome. We want you to play Freeze, too! It can seem impossible to get in the game, so let’s talk about the best way to get your turn on stage.

Speak up and raise your hand. I cannot stress this enough. The job of the nibber is more complicated than it looks. There are a lot of stimuli to pay attention to, so you have to be loud and easy to spot if you want to grab his focus. Turn up the volume, project with your diaphragm, and once you’ve called (shouted) “Freeze,” keep your hand up high. If you call “Freeze” and get no response, the nibber is not ignoring you. She probably just didn’t hear you. Try again soon.

Pay attention to the scene. A lot of people watch the scene, waiting for an interesting position, not really paying attention to the progression of the scene. Has anything happened in the scene yet? Have they solved the problem they set out to deal with? Does it seem like the players don’t have anywhere else to go (for more than a few seconds. Every player needs some time to think of what to do next). If something dangerous is happening onstage, this may be a good time to call Freeze and save the players from themselves.

Pay attention to the nibber. Did she just nib someone else? Too many interruptions disrupts the flow of the scene and never allows the players to complete their business. Some nibbers will more actively scan the audience when they feel the scene has had enough time to bear fruit (this is not universal, but worth looking for).

If you get nibbed, don’t take it personally, even if it happens a couple of times in a row. Everyone has had a night where they couldn’t get onstage, and it’s just a weird coincidence. 90% of the time, the nibber isn’t even looking at the face of the person who calls Freeze. It’s just a Voice and a Hand in a certain section of the audience at the right time.

Once you are called upon, make your way to stage as quickly as you can. Keeping a brisk pace to the game is key. When you’re on stage, quickly decide who to tag out. If you didn’t have a clear idea of who you wanted to tag out before you called freeze, that’s OK! But don’t dawdle onstage deciding. It’s improv, so whichever position you take has limitless possibilities. Occasionally, a new player thinks it’s clever to purposefully draw out the decision process. Cut that out.

What if you find yourself in the position of Nibber? It’s a rotating position, often filled by a long-time audience member. No one will ever be perfect, but here are a few tips to make it go smoothly:

1. Divide your attention as evenly as you can between the audience and the scene. Listen carefully for quieter people freezing in, and don't be afraid to request that potential players speak up.

2. Don't forget to speak up as well.

3. Be Decisive. As soon as you hear a person yell “Freeze,” either let them in or call “Nib.” Long pauses and “ummmm’s” kill the momentum of the game. If two people freeze in at the same time, just pick one. The other will freeze in again.

4. Freeze in judiciously. As nibber, you have the ability to let yourself into the scene and you are welcome to do so, but use discretion.

5. Scan the whole room. There are dark corners full of eager improvisers who crave your attention.