Be silly. Be fun. Be different. Be crazy. Be you…

Improv can help you and your team create high-performing, tight teams and clean up some of the worst imaginable cultural swamp!

Even if you don’t find yourself in a culturally deprived business, your teams can still benefit the bonding experience.

Re-learning some basic skills, and adjusting how we look at people around us, with hands-on approach.

DOING! something and not just plugging in motivational quotes – THIS will help you!

Experiences stick with people for a very long time and affect them in profound ways, whereas memos or a messages are discarded and forgotten once objectives are reached.

Business application of Improv is not a new idea.  I’m just trying to give you enough reasons to try it NOW.

So…

How can you as leader benefit from Improv, and/or your team?

• Actively listen and pay attention to people around you.
• Acknowledge other’s ideas and add to them to make them better.
• Think quickly, and creatively.
• The ability to recognize where you are in any given moment.
• The flexibility to choose a new path.
• A willingness to collaborate on a solution.
• The freedom to take a risk.
• Failure is acceptable, and sometimes a very desirable outcome.
• Builds teams with unquestionable trust and long lasting relationships.
• Shows us strength of groups – how we complete each other.
• Improves self-confidence and ability to bounce back from failures.
• Open you up to accepting change and bigger challenges.

Additionally, you may decide to take up Improv to help with social anxiety, depression, public speaking. confidence & mental health, stress… and the list goes on!

Improv is not for everyone…

Not for bullies or people looking to make fun of others

Improv is typically constructed as safe inclusive environment for everyone.  There is no room for bullies.  Our goofiness, silliness, fails, and stumbles stays in room.  We applaud for every attempt, we don’t judge, we do not make fun of eachother, we don’t kick people when they are down – we lend a helping hand, every single time!  We encourage, and we adore each other’s efforts no matter what!

Not for Control-Freaks

If you have serious issues of not being in control, it will show in your improv in a very bad way.  For example, co-developing a narrative on the spot with a partner will make for a very bad story.

Trying to control every aspect, and push everything YOU have planned/developed in your head onto others makes for awkward and contentious display.  You might even seem over-anxious and interrupt others (not listening to them), seldom break “yes and…” rule – saying “no… it’s this… ” only because you are trying to control the output, or even worse – being sneaky and saying “yes, but… ” to take over direction of a story.  Others will resent you for forcing your vision onto them and/or not letting them have any creative input, or allow them to take part.

You might be prone to interrupting people constantly, being loud – speaking over others,  or not letting them speak at all.  We all know of those people who would rather be a one person show – not good for Improv.

Must have some sense of HUMOR

I’d like to think that everyone has some sense of humor, but unfortunately that is not always the case.  People who can’t put themselves in a role of “fictional character”, lack imagination, either because of a disability or past traumas, build wall around themselves without objective to tear it down.  Improv class might not be a best place to be.

Also, culturally humor might mean something else to different people – they might not like being on a receiving end of a particular scenario or a joke, or take things personally.  Some might feel anxious, harassed, intimidated by their teammates – which is totally something everyone would want to avoid.

Science behind the Art

Need more reason to try Improv now?

Examine human biology & chemistry research to rationalise why Improv is AMAZING.

Happy chemicals! Dopamine, Serotonin, Oxytocin, and Endorphins are the quartet responsible for your happiness. Here is how they kickstart with Improv!

Endorphins – You will get euphoric “runner’s high” doing Improv! “Second Wind” state created due to simulated stressful situations, on-the-spot thinking and problem solving, ends with a BANG! Add some spontaneous laughter to the mix, and you will be coming back for MORE!

Dopamine – This is “global reward signal”. Performing Improv game after game, and having  no-failure state – this will give you sense of accomplishment every single time 10-20 times in an evening – getting laughs, applause, cheers and support from team mates – that Dopamine will last you throughout the week, every time you remember, or retell a tale!

Serotonin – Serotonin in the brain is thought to regulate anxiety, happiness, and mood.  Engaging in activities that make you happy boost Serotonin.  Using your imagination to create circumstances, stories, characters, and live through them, and laugh together with a group will boost your serotonin levels SKY HIGH!

Oxytocin – Helps you create strong bonds, intimacy, trust, healthy relationships, released during orgasm, giving birth, and breastfeeding – HEY, now there is also another way and it’s not a pill!   Knowing you belong to this group, building trust and intimacy, everyone has your back. Everyone validating everything you say by always saying “yes, and…” every single time! Great for confidence!  Your clan, your Improv group will get you pumped on Oxytocin.

Improv will get you hooked on these and other “happy juices”.  Your body will naturally create this euphoria when pushed and when right state of mind is achieved (tricking the brain sometimes).  Improv will  give you that “cult” like feeling with a sense of belonging with a complete group of strangers.  Memories and experiences will last forever.  Every time you remember them, you will get that “feel good” boost.

Sense of Belonging

Improv is not a cult. However, over time, it will definitely introduce you to some awesome cult-like feeling of belonging, and help you make strong bonds with complete strangers.

Each individual is a simple cogwheel. All working together towards greater purpose, powering a great, fluid, well balanced machine – just by learning to do simple Improv game/story.  Pumped on “happy juice” with tight group of people might start feeling like you are in a cult.

But, isn’t that dream of every leader?  Creating a cult-like following, with energy, dedication, and general feeling of: we are in this together. All that without having to do a Trust Fall exercise? Wow!

Sense of Loss (the end)

What happens to tight teams of people when classes are over, when production has ended, companies closed doors, army disbanded – typical of what happens in every group of very tightly knit teams.  Intense sense of loss and yearning for what you had.

Improv will equip you with skills to take on your journey though your life, and give you satisfaction knowing that  experiences (even as unrepeatable and very temporary) will live on forever as everything else we do does – eternally.

I’ve been a part of a cult like that before – it was young Tech Startup in Toronto!  This is same type of culture companies have been trying to replicate using foosball tables and booze fridges for years – yet it’s not about the booze or games – it’s about bonds we create in such environments… AND THEN THE BUBBLE BURST! Office closed…

Here is my favorite insert from a book Sum: Forty Tales from the Afterlives written by neuroscientist David Eagleman that sums it up.

When soldiers part ways at war’s end, the breakup of the platoon triggers the same emotion as the death of a person – it is the final bloodless death of the war. This same mood haunts actors on the drop of the final curtain: after months of working together, something greater than themselves has just died. After a store closes its doors on its final evening, or a congress wraps its final session, the participants amble away, feeling that they were part of something larger than themselves, something they intuit had a life even though they can’t quite put a finger on it.

 

In this way, death is not only for humans, but for everything that existed.

 

And it turns out that anything which enjoys life enjoys an afterlife. Platoons and plays and stores and congresses do not end – they simply move on to a different dimension. They are things that were created and existed for a time, and therefore by the cosmic rules they continue to exist in a different realm.

So, go Improv and try it out for yourself!  At the very least, it will create some unforgettable memories, you will laugh a lot, have fun and create new bonds with strangers.

Where do I Improv in Greater Toronto Area?

These are my recommendations:

Mississauga Living Arts Center ~ $200/course 10 weeks x 2hr classes

I’ve had a pleasure taking this course with Susan Applewhaite.  She is truly an amazing teacher! Susan is a professional Canadian actor in film, television, and theatre.  Susan’s “easy” and very kind approach and coaching/feedback was really great for introduction to Improv.  You will not feel uncomfortable or under pressure to create comedy – “not all improv is funny”.  It is a place where you go on Thursdays to have fun with new friends and learn new skills!

Oakville Improv Theatre Company  ~ $250/course 8 weeks x 2.5hr classes

Amy Mckenzie’s class at OITC has truly helped me get to a new level.  We analyse and take things apart, then reconstruct, with a bit more pressure, no BS, and big “boom” factor Amy brings the moment you meet her!  This class was just as fun, and fulfilling as first time!  I’ve learned a lot. Amy helped us look beyond the surface of Improv games and understand underlying theory behind Games.  OITC also has multiple levels of Improv. From Beginners to Advanced  – you will get opportunity to perform for your friends and family at first, and work your way up public venues! Drop-in classes are also available usually on Mondays for $5.

Second City Toronto

Honorary mention – I did not attend so I will not rate or comment.  Also, prices are higher here, but there are more options with programs.

Improv has improved both my personal life, and professional career. I’ve improved quality of life for myself and many people around me, and continue to do so every day.

There are hundreds of valid and positive applications of Improv for use outside of classroom, in business, job interviews, public speaking, emotional growth, mentoring, playing games with kids, or just being a clown sometimes and making people laugh…

How you decide to use Improv – it is up to you!

Looking for more juicy details or insight? Get in touch via LinkedIn or email.

Great bonus material…

Great (free) Apps you can use with friends @ party

• Sokkyo Improv Suggestions [Google App Store] – Random suggestions place,characters, etc.
• Improv Toolbox  [Google App Store] – Random suggestions place,characters, etc.
• QWappy Improv [Google App Store] – Also includes list of Improv games and descriptions how to play.
• Instant Improv! [Google App Store] – Also include list of Improv games and descriptions how to play.

My favorite Improv groups/videos

Script Not Found (many episodes – playlist)

Roman Improv Games (playlist – watch all videos!)

Upright Citizens Brigade (1hr long video)