Getting Specific about Applied Improv’s Value
/In applied improvisation, the skills used for improv on stage are taught and used in non-performance contexts such as professional growth, improving communication skills, and business leadership. My experience in applied improv includes professional development for social workers, mental health support, and self-advocacy for teens and adults with disabilities.
My goal when I teach an applied improv workshop is for attendees to leave thinking:
that was worth my time.
I learned a tangible skill and I can envision using this skill in a particular situation.
Also, I think clients are more likely to hire us again if they can easily see what attendees get out of our workshops.
I was inspired to write this post when I thought about some classes I observed that were promoted with a particular applied improv goal but then proceeded as a typical beginner improv for performers class. The class was enjoyable but I can’t help but wonder if attendees were confused on the purpose and value of the class.
So…how to do we take better care of ensuring that our applied improv classes are actually applied? Here are just a few thoughts:
Practice a skill first in a low stakes improv game and then use the same skill in a relevant (but non-traumatic) role-play.
We aren’t trying to recreate anxiety. We are practicing success. Instructors must be intentional about the set-up for role plays.
Have a chat about after a set of exercises with open ended questions. Allow people to make their own connections of a particular skill to a facet of their personal or professional life. It is important not to ask leading questions here because
people will tell you what you want to hear
people may identify skills and make connections that you did not have in mind, which can be a fantastic gift. In my experience, the connections identified by the attendees can be the most valuable.
Adjust existing exercises to fit the context of the workshop’s goal. This can make the game more salient to the attendees.
For example, you could adjust the improv exercise “park bench” to instead be “office break room” for attendees at a business improv session.
These are just a couple ways I try to ensure that clients and attendees can see the value of applied improv workshops. I know there are so many ways other practitioners are doing this work and I look forward to hearing more ideas on the topic.
We’ll be covering this in ways that are specific to self-advocacy workshops on March 13th in a mutual learning discussion event. Click here for details on that event.