What I learned from an Improv Class
Dec 23, 2022Lessons from an Improv Class
Usually we think of improv just for people who want to be comedians. Well, if I'm honest, at some point in my life I dreamed of being on Saturday Night Live. (but hasn't everyone?!)
So, when this opportunity to take an Improv class came completely out of the blue, I was thrilled to say, "yes"!
Before we began, Carl, my instructor said that improv was actually started by a woman who was teaching these games to children as a way to foster their creativity, confidence, and other theater-specific skills. Her own son grew up and began to use those games with adults. He later started his own Improv Theater...and so it began.
The games are intended to help you practice quick thinking, creativity, and to collaborate with others.
The most classic and well-known of all improv rules is the "Yes, and" rule. In improv, when someone makes a suggestion, we never say, "No, that won't work!" Because that takes away the momentum, deflates the other person, and basically kills the creative process. Instead, we follow up their suggestion that the sky is purple with, "yes! and look at those cotton candy clouds!"
One game that we played was "What else could this be?" He held up an empty paper towel roll. And we took turns...Pinochio's nose...an instrument...a pirate's spyglass...
As the obvious ideas run out, you are forced to get more creative...straw for a giant...an special viewer that allows you to see if someone is telling a lie!
It just made me think about real life. How we are likely to jump to conclusions and make assumptions. But, what if we asked ourselves this question in our every day life.
"What else could this be?"
For example...your husband is quiet and doesn't have much to say. Your first thought might be, "he's mad at me or didn't like the dinner I made." When you start there, it's easy for your thoughts to spiral downward negatively. But, let's play the game..."what else could this be?"
It could be that he's tired...or had a hard day at work...or is feeling worried about finances...or calculating statistics for the upcoming basketball game...it could be that his brain is out of ideas and he isn't thinking ANYTHING!
When we take a moment to consider other possibilities. It's easy to realize the possibilities are truly endless.
I want to challenge you to play some improv games this week. Play them for fun, to open up the creative side of your brain, or play them to help you solve a current problem you have.
I'm cheering you on here...or am I just slow clapping for the ending of this newsletter?!