What is “improv?” 

Improv is collaborative, spontaneous, unscripted team storytelling. It is not a competition or about making jokes or doing funny characters per se or even getting laughs. Those things can happen naturally but are not what drives good improv. Improv drives good in-the-moment story telling.

You’re not trying to be funny. You’re trying to help your team tell a good story.

Improv is a skill. It is about being open and responsive to what is happening now, listening and supporting other players by making helpful “offers” to move the story along. It is about collaboration and being present and helpful. It is about not forcing an idea, making use of what is available and having fun together. 

Improv is not about “self,” it is about “group.” It’s not about safety, it’s about vulnerable honesty. It’s not about getting attention or glory. 

Stage improv typically works from a framework of games whose rules and boundaries must be learned. 

Good improv also teaches a broad range of life skills. The experience of it can be both scary and exhilarating. It may be the most fun you will ever have on stage! It will help make you a better actor, better writer/story teller and may well help you in navigating your life.