Improvisation and why it's not just for actors.
Rebecca Treseder • 15 July 2020
Improvisation is a long standing entertaining form of theatre, where scenes are created without the need of scripts.
For a long time improvisation has been considered an essential part of any actors toolkit. The benefits of improvisation are now starting to be seen by other professions outside of the performing arts industry as they are seeing the benefit it can have in improving listening skills, the ability to read body language better, helping you to think on your feet and improving confidence.
The most important skill you need in improv is to listen. This is essential when building a scene and creating a storyline with others as you need to be able to listen to other participants ideas and use them in the scene being created. When this is translated into a business context, listening skills are vital to understand clients and colleague’s objectives and goals. Like an improvisation sketch, the more we listen, the more we understand and the better the communication and rapport we can build with our clients and colleague’s.
Participating in an improvisation workshop with colleagues and clients can help you to read and understand their responses to situations, which is good for team productivity.
In our careers, most of us will reach a point where we will need to deliver information to colleagues and clients, engage with others and tell a story to sell a product or service. Improvisation can help improve these skills.
Next week we start our online improvisation for adults workshops. Improvisation works surprisingly well via zoom, so now might be the perfect time to give it a try, whether it is to improve your skill set for work or to try something a bit different.
#improvisationonline #improvworkshops #drama #dramaonline #teambuilding #improvingskillset #communication #teambuildingonline #professionaldevelopment #onlineworkshopsforadults #improvisationforadults #onlineclasses #onlineworkshops #teamwork #improvingcreativity #creativityonline #onlineteambuilding #communicationskills #buildingupconfidence #confidencebuilding #onlineconfidencebuilding
There is a lot of established research about the many benefits of drama and the performing arts. Below are a few which I think are the most beneficial. Confidence Drama has long been associated with improving confidence in participants. It helps a person to understand different situations and enables them to think outside the box. This helps a person to have more confidence when they are in unfamiliar situations. By participating in drama games and taking part in shows, it can help a person to learn to trust their ideas and abilities. The confidence that a person gains from taking part in shows and drama games are not just for the stage as they are transferable for all areas of life. Empathy for others As you take on different roles and characters when playing drama games or take part in plays and musicals, you are able to put yourself into different characters situations, which helps to be able to have more empathy for others. Encourages creativity Drama, and performing arts in general, is great for encouraging and to build on creativity. It allows you to think of new ideas and to think on your feet, allowing you to view the world in a new way. Concentration Through practising and performing in shows you can quickly develop skills that enable you to focus the mind, voice and body. Learning and practising lines also improves memory. Teamwork Drama and performing arts involves mostly group work. For the group to achieve the best outcome for the group activity or performance, they are required to listen to each others points of view and ideas, to encourage each other and work as a team. Communication skills Drama and performing arts are a great way for improving communication skills - verbal and non verbal. Drama games and script work are also great for improving articulation, tone and pace of speech, expression and vocal projection. Managing emotions Drama games give you the chance to express a range of emotions, through script and improvisation. These emotions are released in a safe an controlled environment. Fun Last but not least, drama allows you to play and laugh , which is great for releasing tension and reducing stress.