Over the last few years, the evolution of Improv went from being a spectator sport to being touted as a necessary survival skill for the 21st Century.
I’ll bet you, or someone you know, has taken an Improv class, and it would not surprise me if they loved the experience. Maybe to the point of becoming alt-evangelical. “How was it?” you ask them. “Great,” “fun,” “amazing, “I learned a lot about myself.” “Really?” you reply. “It sounds like Tony Robbins hosting a version of the TV show, Whose Line is It Anyway? Weren’t you afraid?” Yes, they were afraid, or at least uncomfortable, but they did it anyway. And therein lies the secret to the enthusiastic and widespread appearance of Improv outside of its performance function. Improv is fun, it’s simple (if not easy) and it’s useful for everyone in some part of their life. Plus everyone (so far) survives the experience…and often returns for more.
WHY IMPROV? WHY NOW?
There is a lot going on in our lives, much of it unnerving. Trying to define the emotional state we, collectively, are in I came across Wayne Goulet’s concept of “liminal space.” The definition being “ a term that applies to those uncertain times in our lives when we stand in the threshold between the ‘old’ which may no longer work and the ‘new’ which is not yet clear.” It’s a perfect description of where we are on the evolutionary timeline.
Liminal space is also an accurate depiction of how Improv operates. Improvisers are constantly finding themselves on a threshold. In each game, what’s gone before in no way confirms what lies ahead. And with the outcome highly unpredictable, all individual control comes and goes. So there ain’t nothin’ you can do about that. All Improvisers can do is learn from their experiences. If Improv were a movie, it would be “Groundhog Day.”
The practices and mindset that arise from Improv training are applicable to all of us. The change in purpose has gone from Improv as a product, as in the theater, to Improv as a process. But the product is not attainable by most of us. ALL of us can, however, apply the process. If Improv were a blood type it would be Type O. Unique in its composition, useful for everyone. Just like Improv.
WHATS NEXT?
Until recently, most of us typically associated the word “Improv” with “Theater,” so it held no relevance to us except as entertainment. We looked, we laughed, we left.
The kind of Improv that is applicable to our daily lives and personal growth is known as Applied Improv. The premise is the skills that make Improv theater people successful are the same ones that make us all successful. Desired and achievable Improv skills include thinking on our feet, dealing with reality, focusing on what’s important, maintaining the ability to disagree without escalating conflict, having fun, and being creative. It’s a growing field of practice around the world and popping up in all kinds of places and for all kinds of uses.
Like mindfulness, Applied Improv uses a skill set that is deceptively simple. Since it’s a skill set, it requires practice. Since it’s fun, it gets done.
I’ll share more about Applied Improv in the next newsletter. In the meantime, here’s a game you can enjoy!
1 Word at a Time
Process: Each player can, at their turn, add only one word at a time.
# Players: 2
Time Needed: 2-4 minutes
Continue this way until the story reaches a natural conclusion or either player decides that it has come to a conclusion. One player ends the game by saying “The End!”Focus Point: The word that you just heard in the context of the story up to that point.
Hint: A simple way to start this game is for Player 1 to say, “Once.” Player 2 then says “upon.” Then Player 1 says “a.” Player 2 says, “time.” This gets the game started and establishes a rhythm.
Allowing the words, “period”, “question mark”, and “exclamation point” when a player deems it appropriate helps the story unfold. A player who injects these punctuation points still needs to contribute a word if it is their turn.
Variations: Can be played with 3 to 6 players. Allow players to “popcorn” their answers rather than going in sequential order.
What a great alternative to “screen time” for families wanting to interact more with each other.