I recently started taking improv classes. I’ve heard from various sources that improv can be beneficial, so I wanted to check it out for myself.
So far I’ve had about 4 sessions and I’m still trying to work out the benefits, but one thing that I can definitely say is that it is fun. It IS a bit stressful (I end up sweating like a pig there), but overall it is the one thing that I do in my week that consistently causes me to crack up and laugh and is pure entertainment.
I think that the benefits of improv are subtle – it’s not like I’ve had some profound realization or change as a result of it.
Some of my reasons for doing improv include:
(1) Being able to think quickly on my feet and respond appropriately.
(2) To “stretch” my personality and my range of expression.
(3) To push me outside of my comfort zone.
(4) Curiosity, to see what I can gain from improv.
Hmm… so what do I feel I actually have gained so far?
It’s Fun!
As I mentioned above, it is really pure unadulterated fun. Its a barrel of laughs, so why not do it?
It also sounds weird, but it helps connect me to humanity… I guess because it is often a group activity, where you need to work together with others to tell a story.
I can explore and stretch my range of expressions
This is something that I thought of going into improv, but I have started to realize how it is possible.
In improv I can explore different characters, intonations, ways of expression, body language and try them on for size. I can keep what I like and discard what I don’t like.
Learn to tell an engaging story
What I’ve seen is that some people are REALLY good at improv, and others are less so. A big factor I think is the way they present and tell their story, which is a useful skill in itself.
This is something I’ve just realized and something I want to explore in detail (how to tell a story, storytelling techniques).
A safe place to do social experiments
For example, if I want to try and improve my storytelling techniques, improv classes are the ideal place to do these experiments and then I can take into my everyday life techniques that work well for me.
Further Reading:
http://www.dangoldstein.com/howtoimprovise.html