Managing the Dash: The Key to Successful Stress Management

  A few of years ago I was on a small plane flying from Chicago to Milwaukee. The plane ran into some heavy turbulence and starting bouncing through the air like a rock skipping over a pond. Every time the plane would hit a bump, I’d grip the sides of my seat, because I thought … Read more

Re-Moralizing Ourselves Through Humor

  “Morale — the level of individual psychological well-being based on such factors as a sense of purpose and confidence in the future.” It is not surprising that people feel demoralized these days. As our society continues through a social, political, and economic metamorphosis, many folks are caught in the midst of tremendous turmoil wrought … Read more

Your Quality of Presence is Revealed Through the Power of Focus

  When working with a large group, it is often desirable to have the participants form duos, triads, quartets, or quintets in order to enable everyone to participate in a particular game. As the different teams are absorbed into their tasks, a substantial racket is normally generated, frequently punctuated by gusts of laughter. During the … Read more

Instructional Moment: In Order to Feel Brave, Embrace Your Fear

  It’s common for those new to Improv to allow fear or lack of confidence to keep them from volunteering for games. When outcomes are unknown and collaborators’ actions unpredictable, stepping up to play an Improv game can feel like an excursion into the Bermuda Triangle. With no map, no recognizable landmarks, and many tales … Read more

The Difference Between Acceptance and Agreement

  The easiest and perhaps the most concrete way to incorporate Improv Theater techniques into daily living is by understanding and adopting the concept of YES…AND. For improvisers, YES…AND serves the same purpose as the North Star does for sailors: that of a guiding light and a way to keep moving forward, even though the … Read more