Improv is Stupid

     Improvisers can take improv way to seriously sometimes. I know I am guilty of it. It’s hard not to when you are so personally involved and invested in it. I totally understand this. I think we need to remember what it is that we are actually doing though. We get to "play" and throw away the idea of rules. We get to put our focus on engaging and exciting those around us. It’s actually pretty silly if you think about it. Adults playing and acting out is actually a REALLY weird idea. It goes against everything we are taught is acceptable in society. My inspiration for this post is that I often I hear improvisers preaching about how they can make people’s lives better using improv, and that the rules we use help us be more engaged and better at relationships in the world we live in. I've watched a lot of Ted Talks recently and other online videos all about how if you follow our rules and practice our techniques your life will be amazing. Your life will be what it is. If your life is shitty, improv won't save it, or you. It’s important to remember that improv is therapeutic but is not a form of therapy.

     I've "helped” people by showing them ways to bring their confidence out. I've opened doors in people's careers by letting them in on our trade secrets. I've helped people be less awkward. Are we as improvisers some amazing force put on earth to affect and help humanity? I do think we have the ability to help those around us become more comfortable in their skin, but also that we need to be very careful how we approach this. Once someone has committed to the work we can push them as far as they are willing to go but we can’t preach our ideas to just anyone. I think by doing so we may alienate those that could potentially benefit from what we do. Some of us are actually really socially awkward, so preaching our improv philosophies has the potential to make us appear to be someone that people may want to avoid. I realized this while talking to a technician at an improv theatre. While talking to her, I pushed her and kept asking why she wasn’t taking improv classes. I know we have all done this to someone at some point. She said to me, “I get the improv spiel from everyone. I don’t need it from you. I get it, it’s great but it’s not for me.” Huh...

     If someone wants to know about improv then let’s be honest with them about what this actually is. This isn’t some miracle concept that will change the world. We shouldn’t treat it as such. We are just regular, awkward people that want to improve how we are as human beings. We are not perfect and aren't always happy. We have really big ups and downs just like everyone else. So instead of trying to sell this as something it’s not, perhaps we should try to label as it actually is. We are not living perfect lives because of improv. We struggle just as much as our fellow non-improvisers, if not more. The honest truth is that most of us are a bit quirky and have a hard time fitting in anywhere else. We are misfits and weirdoes. I was picked on my whole life because I didn’t fit in anywhere. It definitely takes someone wanting to put in the work for all of these things to actually be useful to them. I’m getting to the point where if I have an opportunity to tell someone what we do I’d rather attempt to show them by either having them come to a workshop or show instead of preaching words that may deter rather than encourage.

     Yes, improv is amazing to us. But it isn't for everyone. We need to get off our high-horse and realize that some people are going to look at what we do and think it's stupid. Let’s not let this affect us personally. We are not any more special or unique than any other art form and their teachings. We need to realize the ridiculousness of grown people in a room yelling "bunny bunny". That's okay. Once we let go of the idea that we are doing something totally unique and from a higher power, we can then just be there in our art, play, and have fun. Let’s embrace the silly and ridiculous of it all and relish in it. Be proud that improv encourages an environment to be silly and sometimes ugly and act in a way that is not socially conventional.

     We are not perfect. Improv can be "stupid". It being stupid is a major part of its beauty. Let’s accept that we are not perfect and that we are allowed to be stupid. Once we do that we can grow, learn and explore. Let the art form and honesty, not intangible philosophy, draw in those who will benefit from improv.