Full disclosure: I like comedy.
Yeah, sure, big news. Hard pressed to find anyone who doesn't like a chuckle every now and again. So when I was asked to attend an improv class at the Patel Conservatory that coincidentally fell on Douglas Adams's birthday, I was all “hells yes.”
I didn't think about one key facet of my personality: I hate standing in front of people.
Like most people, the act of standing in front of a crowd and doing anything sends the Wild Jibblies of Fear running down my spine and settling into a lead biscuit right in my guts. And I agreed to do just this. Because I like comedy.
So over the bridge and through Tampa downtown to the Patel Conservatory I go. A part of me was holding the Wild Jibblies in check while another part considered bailing. It didn't help that when I arrived there was, besides the instructor, only one other person.
We sat in an awkward silence/small talk filled room while waiting to see if anyone else was going to show (a third gentleman did show up a bit later). After a bit, instructor Toby Martini admitted the classes usually have at least six to eight people (often more) and felt bad that we came out on a Friday night for low turnout. While he admitted he didn't have much in improv games for two people, he did something else. He improvised a class.
It was fantastic.
Toby is a cheery guy who — and this may come as a shock — loves improv. Someone had left a book by Viola Spolin in the room, and he used this as an opportunity for a quick history lesson. Ms. Spolin wrote extensively on improvisation as a way to create games for children. Busy kids having fun are easier to deal with, so she started creating games to keep them occupied, which turned into using said games to help actors.
“Good improvisors are good actors,” Toby said. “If you want to act, take at least one improv class.” But it's not only for actors or stage performers. It turns out that the class is usually evenly split between actors and business folks who want to be better at public speaking. Toby explained that improv is not just getting on stage and trying to get a laugh; it's also useful on how to talk to anyone, anywhere. He called it “Improv For Life.”
That's when he hooked me.
Improv is about communication and listening. As a “think three steps ahead” kind of person, this means my brain is constantly working to figure out possible outcomes. If I do this, this happens, so then I need to do this. So while the brain is clicking, it's not giving 100% attention to what's going on around me. Improv is about letting that go. Improv is turning your brain off, being in the moment, then using whatever pops into your head to support the people around you. This, it turns out, is good for performing on any level, be it giving a speech, trying to land a new client, or even casual conversation. It's about letting go and simply being in the moment.
At it's core, improv is a team sport of positive game creation. That helps as well, because you're not alone. If you falter, then someone can help. You don't have to try and be funny, funny happens all on its own (“The minute you go for a joke,” Toby said, “the scene is over.”). For an example, Toby had us stand in a circle and presented a game called Zip, Zap, Zop. You clap your hands, point to someone randomly (eye contact is key), and say “Zip.” That person then claps, points to another random person, and says, “Zap.” That person does “Zop.” Does it sound stupid and silly? Yeah, because it is. But it's also fun, because when trying hard not to screw up you will, inevitably, say the wrong word, everyone laughs, a teammate picks up the metaphorical ball and you move on. Eventually you randomly add A, B, C and 1, 2, 3 to the mix, and you get better but mistakes still happen and there's more laughter. By the end, we were all laughing because we turned our brains off and enjoyed the moment. No thinking of what needs to be done, no worries about “what if.” Screw up, so what? Have a chuckle, move on. Failure is part of the process, but the world still spins and if you look a little silly, then, great.
Improv for Life. Be in the moment, support your team, laugh at mistakes and your world becomes a little bigger than before.
Honestly, that doesn't suck.
Patel Conservatory offers classes in dance, music and theater for students of all ages and experience levels. More information available online or by calling 813-222-1040.
This article appears in Mar 17-23, 2016.