You Choose How You React: It’s the Most Powerful Gift You Have
It’s a gift of adulthood, don’t dismiss it
Group improvisation is a drama class that people either love or hate.
Even the thought of it makes a lot of people uncomfortable for one reason: you have absolutely no idea what will happen.
In one such class, there were two chairs on the stage mimicking a park bench. The rule was that there must be two people on stage at all times. One could only leave when another walked on, until the whole class had been up there.
You’re sat there on the bench and you can be and say whatever you like. But there’s another rule.
You must go with whatever your improv partner suggests. You can’t shut them down.
So if they say, ‘hey, I know we’ve only just met, but it’s a beautiful day, shall we have a dance off?’ You can’t just say no. You say, ‘sure!’ or ‘okay but whoever loses has to do ten jumping jacks,’ or whatever will keep the scene moving.
It’s a strange situation for an actor, where normally you’d have a script. You’d know your character and what they’re feeling and doing. Improv is like throwing it all into the wind and just going with it.
