What I Learned From a Year of Improv

I’m coming up on my graduation from a year’s worth of improv classes at The New Movement theater here in New Orleans and I’ve learned a lot. I could talk here about “Yes and”, “Finding the game”, “Bear hugging the idea.” I’ve studied walk on‘s and tap-outs and practiced heightening and patterning. I’ve learned about the different forms like mono scenes and Armando. I’ve done all kinds of warm-up exercises from “stretch and confess” to mind-meld (which I will admit remains at the top of my all-time aggravation list). At another time I may write about all of these things.

But right now, today, what I’ve learned the most about is “funny” — what can make “funny” — and how important “funny” is. I’ve learned about what makes me laugh. I’ve also learned some about what makes other people laugh. And I found that people I thought I had nothing in common with will laugh with me over the many of the same things. I’ve learned that people many, many years younger than me — OK, some maybe young enough to be my grandchildren? — will welcome me into their circle of laughter with open arms.

I’ve learned that before we go in to perform, we tap each other‘s backs and say “I’ve got your back”. And I’ve learned how wonderful that is. How wonderful it is that there are other people who want me to succeed. And that I have an obligation and a promise to help them succeed, too.

I’ve learned that sometimes when you take apart and analyze the funny it often shrivels and dies like a rose pulled off the bush. But I’ve also learned that you CAN analyze and take apart funny and make the next funny even funnier. You can learn techniques and ideas and then try to let it all go when you step out on stage. You can learn to trust yourself and the people in the scene with you.

I’ve learned that young people are funny. I’ve learned that old people are funny. Maybe, I have just been reminded that everyone, under the right circumstances, can be hilarious.

I read a proverb recently that said, “laughter can be heard farther than weeping.” I’ve learned that in life tragedies are unfortunately a dime a dozen. But I learned over this last year that comedy is gold.