Alan and Caron in the Anything Can Happen Play Fest - Pan - 2011

For most of us improv is something we do to make our lives better.

Some do improv for the fun of playing with others – an adult version of make believe. 

Others are looking for a social hobby. Others to help with work skills. 

There are also those looking to develop their acting skills. All of the reasons are valid and all open the door to an art form that can have a transformative impact on our lives.

Some reasons people do improv:

To laugh and have fun
To exercise their more creative self
To be part of a group or team
To have place where it is okay to be silly
To explore artistic and theater interests and skills
As a social outlet
To meet new people

Others may do improv to:

Learn to think faster on their feet
To become more comfortable being in front of groups
To react quicker in social or work situations
To increase confidence in public speaking

I’ve noticed over the years for me improv has:

Helped me make decisions faster
Helped me come to grip with bad choices or things beyond my control faster
Provided me a willingness to take risks or explore opportunities
Helped me counteract the negative assumptions we learn in life
Made me more open minded but also more sure of my own opinions

Since starting improv I have:

Started two businesses (a theater and a marketing service)
Given presentations to CIOs and CEOS
Worked with wonderful people on projects I found interesting
Given myself permission to take chances, learn and fail
Made some amazing new friends

I have given lectures to members of the Screen Actors Guild, helped member’s from Harvard’s Immediate Gratification Players hone their improv skill, led and co-led improv workshops for corporations and performed in front of audiences from 2 to 350. I’ve helped create and led play festivals and directed plays from authors from around the world literally.

FYI:For the most part I'm an introvert. Improv has given me the tools and freedom to explore opportunity and chance.

How has your life changed since you’ve been doing improv?