What happens in an ‘improv’ session?

IMPROV - short for improvisation - is a highly participatory workshop. Participants work in pairs, small groups (4-5) or even the whole group, to play a variety of ‘games’ or exercises that challenge them to solve a problem, while observing a particular restriction which stimulates their creativity. Some of the activities are more physical, some are more verbal, most combine both. It’s usually a noisy session, with lots of laughter and activity.

An improv session is not about staging a ‘performance’ – we’re not acting Shakespeare! Usually everyone is working simultaneously, albeit in separate pairs/groups.

As the workshop progresses, participants will realize that they need to be

• spontaneous,  because the way each game or activity develops is totally unpredictable;
• attentive, listening to and watching their team members closely, in order to be able to respond promptly and appropriately;
• flexible, willing to adjust their own ideas in order to accommodate/use/build on the suggestions/creativity of their team-members;
• constructive, in order to develop suggestions offered by team members. Improv may seem like it has no rules, because it is informal and spontaneous, but unless everyone is working towards a common goal, the game will not be won, the scene will not be successfully created.
• supportive, as their colleagues step out of their comfort zones.

These attitudes are all key to good teamwork.

Typical of the feedback received after an improv session:

• “I really enjoyed working – or rather playing – with you guys! I’m amazed at how creative everyone is.”
• “I never knew that (names colleague) was so funny.”
• “I was very apprehensive coming here this morning because I’ve never liked acting or standing up in front of people, so I’m surprised that I enjoyed myself.  Thank you to everyone I worked for being so supportive.”
• “As someone who likes to work in a very organized way – you do X and follow up with Y - this morning was a real challenge for me, as I never knew what was coming next.”
• “What, no powerpoint?!”
• “I got to see a different side to people and discovered we had several things in common outside of work.”
• “I tend to focus on the ‘right answer’ and it was refreshing to see so many different ways of approaching a situation.”
•  “I enjoyed acting when I was in school, but now I know why I became a (insert job title) instead!”

Storytelling is natural and easy, entertaining and energizing.

• Stories help us understand complexity.
• Stories can enhance or change perceptions.
• Stories are easy to remember.
• Stories are inherently non adversarial and non-hierarchical. They by-pass normal defense mechanisms and engage our feelings."   

Stephen Denning,
The Leader’s Guide to Storytelling

Back in the mists of time when only the monks and the monarchy could write, there three ways in which we learnt: first by having a go at it.  

When that didn't work, or you wanted to improve: by watching someone who knew how to do it.  

Then at the end of the day when the sun had set and it got too dark to see what anyone was doing: by listening to that 'someone' tell you about the time when they. . .

Weaver - Grazing Animals Project, 2003