Learning About Life in Improv

(Pan Theater Training Troupe - 2011)

As our October performance dates draw nearer, we continue to work on important concepts like relationships and using space objects. 

And, of course, saying YES.

I’m learning a lot in Pan's improv classes and it’s very exciting.

One thing that is a challenge for me is slowing down. 

It’s tempting to blurt out the first thing that comes to my mind, or to say something just trying to be funny, but some of the exercises force me to think before I speak and then to make a stronger choice.

Over and over I have to be reminded to say YES, to give information rather than asking questions, and to listen to my scene partner(s) and react to them rather than just doing my own thing.

Focusing on the relationship in a scene rather than the action or the words makes for a stronger scene. 

We even did a couple of exercises where we couldn’t speak. It’s interesting to see how the communication can be conveyed without words.

These skills are so valuable in everyday life and relationships, although we don’t usually think about it. 

How much better could many of our relationships be (whether personal, business or anything else) if we would really listen and respond to what’s happening in the moment, rather than just reacting out of habit, often in defense, in an effort to maintain our comfort zone? 

I guess the reason these knee-jerk reactions are so hard to unlearn is that they are mostly subconscious and have become automatic as we attempt to control our environments.

This is just one way that training in improv is applicable in “real life.”

Pan Short Form Troupe Student
October 2011