When I have taught improvisation, I usually reassure my students at the beginning that they are all already experienced improvisers. “Who,” I ask, “is given a script every morning containing the text of every conversation you will have that day?” We have to figure out what to say when the time comes, don’t we? When we do improvisation as part of a show, we are doing things we already know how to do, but we employ novel, purposeful formats in which to do them. If we are doing improvisational comedy–which is what most people think of when you say “improv”–it is often the situation that is funny, rather than the words coming out of the actors’ mouths. “How was your day?” is not a particularly funny question, unless maybe it is being asked of someone who has just returned from the summit of Mt. Everest, or one zombie to another. In fact, people who are determined to be funny do not always make the best improvisers. It is much better to say something ordinary and keep the scene moving than it is to take extra time to try to come up with something funny to say. A lot of people are already familiar with the “say yes!” principle of improv, as put forth in books by Tina Fey and others. “Yes” means endless possibilities and ways to go forward. “No” just grinds everything to a halt. Another very important principle is that of supporting the ensemble. You are not there to showcase yourself. If that’s what you want to do, go into stand-up comedy or write yourself a one-person show. As part of the ensemble, your job is to “make the other guy look good,” which ideally means that the other folks are doing the same for you. So, if you’ve ever watched an improv performance and thought “I wish I could do that,” I’m here to tell you that you probably can. You just need to get the right kind of instruction and practice. My students, adults and children alike, have given wonderfully received performances and have truly surprised themselves, especially the ones who were originally sure they would be no good at it.

Improvisation skills can also be applied to endeavors outside of the theatrical realm. Corporations and businesses have benefitted from improv workshops in which the participants are freed from the expectation of performing for an audience and can instead learn to loosen up, LISTEN!!, say “yes,” and make the other guys look good. Lawyers have benefitted from improv workshops in order to help them feel more comfortable in courtroom settings. Any organization that requires teamwork of any kind can benefit from some guided improv instruction. I’d also like to add that even the most hesitant or resistant participants end up having a lot of fun along the way.

If you’d like to have me lead one or more session of improv instruction, with or without the expectation of performing, please contact me. We can discuss what your goals are for your particular group and come up with a plan. You can be pretty sure that I’ll say “YES!!”