In my meandering quest towards self-actualization I've tried a variety of new things--writing, meditation, storytelling, yoga, folk dancing, running, and gymming, to name a few (and I just made up that last word because "exercising" or "working out" don't seem to be quite right...I go to the gym, regularly).
My last venture was improv, or improvisational acting. Being in Chicago, the birthplace of improv, it was something I had to try. Second City is well-known as the incubator of comedic geniuses like Dan Aykroyd, John Belushi, Steve Carell, Tina Fey, Amy Poehler, etc.... But in addition to their shows, Second City runs a robust training program. There are classes for kids, teens, older adults, corporate types, movie makers, actors, script writers, voice over artists....you name it, they do it.
I had heard of one of the central tenets of improv, "Yes, and...," in strategic planning workshops. The idea is that rather than knocking down an idea, you build on it. This approach encourages the generation of unique solutions, builds trust, and creates a more collaborative environment, so they say. As someone who frequently has to lead brainstorming and planning sessions, I thought I might benefit from learning more about improv.
In checking out the class schedule I noticed a class aimed at those 55 and older. Only problem was that it was offered in the middle of the day. I guess there are a lot of retired 55 year olds out there. Not me. I dilly dallied around for several months, debating about whether I had the time, money, and inclination to commit to 8 weeks of classes. Finally, I pulled the trigger and signed up.
My eight weeks of classes ran January through February. We were a group of about 18, with a disproportionate number of men (13 v 5). I was the oldest class member, there was another "mature" man in the class, but the average age was maybe 27.
What's a class like? Lots of games, like the kind of games you play at summer camp or a retreat. We did trust building activities, like leading a blindfolded classmate through the halls, and cooperation building activities, like untangling a human knot. We threw imaginary balls to each other, sometimes 3 or 4 at a time. We passed around strange sounds and actions. We sang songs, rhymed words, talked in nonsensical babble, and mimed. The emphasis was not on being funny, but on the key elements of teamwork--trust; giving and receiving; recognizing, supporting, and acknowledging each other.
Not everything we did was comfortable or easy for me. I learned a bit about myself. I know I'm better with concrete tasks, and I could feel my logical side fighting for control in some exercises. But, when my partner and I took turns mirroring each other's motions and then let "invisible person C" lead us, I found I could let myself relax and be guided by our energy, rather than our brains.
At the end of the eight weeks I decided to sign up for the next session, then life intervened and I couldn't continue the classes. I'm not sure if I will go back, but I'm glad I experienced a bit of what improv is about.
Improv seems to be a trendy topic. One of my Illinois Tech alumni uses improv exercises in her clinical psychology practice.
https://magazine.iit.edu/spring-2018/better-living-through-improv
I recently read another "mature" student's account of his Second City experiences.
https://medium.com/@JayGerhart/thinking-improv-do-it-my-first-18-magical-hours-part-1-6508349625dd
It is even being promoted as a perspective for those working with people who have dementia.
https://changingaging.org/dementia/dementia-the-joy-of-living-an-improvisational-life/?utm_source=email&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=SocialShares
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