WHAT’S YOUR QUESTION??? How can I feel more comfortable using improvisation in my work? Improvisation skills are superpowers for therapists, psychologists, and social workers. I find it strange that improvisation classes aren’t formally prescribed for students in these fields. Psychologists and Social Workers in my classes often send me questions Read more…
ESTABLISH & DESTROY VALUES!!! A quick way to make the audience care. Rowan Atkinson’s, mostly silent, obsessive character, Mr Bean is engaging to watch regardless of the language you speak. We know exactly what he wants and he’s obsessive about getting it. The simple nature of Mr. Bean can teach Read more…
NOTHING TO LOSE REHEARSING MORE EFFECTIVELY – AND JOYFULY You sit on the edge. You look down. What do you do? Your real-world brain screams, “STEP BACK!!!”. The Improviser brain pushes you headfirst into the abyss. On the way down you question what to do. You hear the audience scream. Read more…
TREAT THEM LIKE PUPPETS You would have to be from another planet not to recognize the direct comparison between teachers, and puppeteers who pull the strings to manipulate their puppets. Sure, the metaphor only goes so far. The human student hopefully brings more independence than the puppet but there are Read more…
PUPPETS AND IMPROVISATION Like Masks, Puppets have an other-world quality. Some of us love them while others are freaked out by their “creepiness”. Love them or hate them puppets bring technical skills, creative skills and even some deep metaphoric insights that will make us better improvisers. WHY PUPPETS? Why should Read more…
TREAT THEM LIKE CATS THE UNTEACHABLE STUDENTAs a teacher, I’ve always been interested in the “UNTEACHABLE” student. In schools where the staff say a child is impossible, or a boss in a corporate workshop says the employee is difficult, I want to meet those students. Cats are considered by many Read more…
Treat them like GORILLAS! One exceptional difference between humans and the rest of the animal kingdom is how much we hide and mask of ourselves compared to these other earthlings. By 9 months, we have already learned to ‘present’ our emotions in a way to manipulate others. By Adulthood, we’ve Read more…