Lessons from Improv

Last week I read that one of the local theatre companies in my city, Against The Wall Theatre, will again be offering improv workshops starting in September. I am excited about this! Quite a number of years ago, I took an improv class through the city recreation department and then never saw it offered again. A couple years ago, I heard about Bullskit offering improv workshops. (Bullskit is the improv and sketch comedy that Against the Wall Theatre specializes in and does so well.) With great trepidation, I signed up - and have now gone back five or six times.

I love it! I have no idea if I'm any good at this, and I don't care if I am or not, because it feeds my soul.  I'm not so sure what the instructors think of me attending time and time and time again, but as long as they are willing to take my money, I'll go. It is my best break of the week, gives me life lessons in a gentle and supportive environment, and always, always, always makes me laugh.

Three lessons I've learned from improv:

- I don't have to be "on" all the time. "Being on" ranges from having the attention and spotlight to being perfect. This is true not just for the classroom time, but in my life. I try to believe that it is okay to have a bad day or to make mistakes, but for me and my sometimes unrealistic expectations of myself, that sentiment is often paid lip service. I don't like being the centre of attention in most circumstances but I do want recognition. From improv, I am internalizing the message I don't have to be "on" all the time. I'm living my life with more "I don't have to be on all the time" and less "My stuff is more important" and less "I screwed up so that must make me worthless".

 - I can be me and be brave. The acceptance of action, humour, free-flow thinking, creativity, and self in the improv workshops reinforces for me that I am have much to offer. How those offers of my self are perceived is less important than the fact that I am brave enough and comfortable enough to take the risk by putting myself out there. It has made me more confident in work and social settings and I have less fear of being judged. And if that judgement comes, I am more able to think it through, learn from it, and move on. This one continues to challenge me daily.

- Do what you love. The importance of this hit me hard during my meet-and-greet with rectal cancer and I have made choices since that time to spend more time doing what I love. It feeds my soul so completely and brings me close to others and to my own soul and to whatever force guides us. In my work life, this is sometimes difficult. Improv has reminded me that doing what I love and what feeds my soul and what brings me joy will shine through no matter where I'm at, what I'm doing, or who I'm with. Finding time and building moments to do more of the things I love is one of my main life goals.

I will be ready with my cheque book when registration starts. In the meantime, I carry these and other lessons from improv with me. Thank you to Serge and Jenna and to those who were workshop participants.  My life and my self are both richer, thanks to you and my 'accidental' stumble into an improv workshop.