IDEASApplied improvisation is a powerful tool for helping groups improve their collaboration skills and creativity. Applied improvisation involves using the principles of improv theater to build skills and create positive change in a variety of settings, from corporate team-building sessions to community-building workshops. The key to applied improvisation is that it focuses on creating a supportive and collaborative environment, where participants are encouraged to take risks, support each other, and build on each other's ideas.
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ACTIVITIESYes, And
Players stand in a circle and take turns saying a sentence. Each sentence must start with "Yes, and..." and build on what the previous player said. This exercise helps to build collaboration and positive thinking skills. Shared memory Players created a shared memory, using the same 'yes, and' principles. Character Switch Players act out a scene in pairs. At any point during the scene, a third person calls out "switch!" and the players switch roles. This exercise helps to build empathy and perspective-taking skills. Freeze Tag Players start acting out a scene. At any point, someone can yell "freeze!" and tag out one of the actors. The new actor takes their place and starts a new scene. This exercise helps to build spontaneity and creativity skills. Gibberish Conversation Players pair up and have a conversation entirely in gibberish. This exercise helps to build active listening and communication skills. Alphabet Story Players take turns telling a story, with each player starting their sentence with the next letter of the alphabet. This exercise helps to build storytelling and quick thinking skills. Emotional Symphony Players take turns making a sound or movement that represents an emotion. One play is the emotional conductor, guiding the group in the emotional they are exploring. Action Replay Players act out a scene and then replay it with a different emotion or tone. Accents Invent a new accent and have a conversation in it. Try to be as consistent as possible. Live dubbing Turn off the audio for a tv show and dub the voices of all the characters. You can make up whatever they are talking about. Speak At The Same Time Players pair up and try to say the same word at the same time. Once they've gotten the hang of this, they move on to make complete sentences. Sentence At A Time Story Players take turns telling a story one sentence at a time. The story can go in any direction, and players must adapt to the previous sentence. This exercise helps to build teamwork and storytelling skills. Word At A Time Story Players take turns telling a story one word at a time. This exercise helps to build quick thinking and teamwork skills. Expert Interview Players pair up, and one player acts as an expert on a topic while the other player interviews them. The expert must make up answers on the spot, and the interviewer must adapt to the expert's responses. This exercise helps to build improvisation and communication skills. Mirror Exercises Players pair up and mirror each other's movements. One player leads, and the other follows, switching roles after a set time. This exercise helps to build physical awareness and synchronization skills. Sound Ball Players pass an imaginary "sound ball" around the circle, each person adding a sound to it. This exercise helps to build active listening and creativity skills. Word Association Players stand in a circle and take turns saying a word. The next player must say a word associated with the previous word. This exercise helps to build quick thinking and collaboration skills. RESOURCES"Impro: Improvisation and the Theatre" by Keith Johnstone. This classic book on improvisation explores the principles and techniques of improvisation as they relate to theatre and performance.
"Applied Improvisation: Leading, Collaborating, and Creating Beyond the Theatre" edited by Theresa Robbins Dudeck. This book explores how improvisation can be applied to various fields beyond theatre, such as business, education, and community-building. "The Power of Improv: 7 Secrets to Improvising Your Way to a More Creative, Productive, and Successful Life" by Max Dickins. This book offers a practical approach to applying improvisation principles to everyday life, with tips and exercises for building confidence, creativity, and collaboration. "Improv Wisdom: Don't Prepare, Just Show Up" by Patricia Ryan Madson. This book offers a philosophical approach to improvisation, exploring how the principles of spontaneity, flexibility, and trust can be applied to various aspects of life. "The Yes, And Principle: The Art of Improvisation for Leaders and Entrepreneurs" by Tom Salinsky and Deborah Frances-White. This book explores how the principles of improvisation can be applied to leadership and entrepreneurship, with practical advice and exercises for building a more collaborative and innovative work culture. |