Improv can bring confidence and creativity into your life

Back in 2012, I went to my first improv comedy show. Struggling with taking myself too seriously, I wanted to see if it could help me eliminate my “Debbie Downer” attitude. (And yes, I despise that phrase.) The result? I instantly laughed and realized that I wanted to laugh even more. So I started attending monthly shows. 

Over the years I became a super fan of The Oxymorons, the improv troupe in Central Pennsylvania that performed all over the country. In fact, I started to get to know all of the improv community troops and their members over the years. There was the all-female troupe, No Artificial Sweeteners which hosted shows for charity, Safe Word which usually hosted laughs served with wine, and TMI at Gamut Theatre. 

In 2015, I decided to try improv for myself. I wanted to get out of my comfort zone, so I signed up for a beginner’s class at the Harrisburg Improv Theatre (HIT). My first experience was scary to say the least. But as I learned more about it, I found it was so helpful to get out of my own head and step into my body – something I’d never done before. 

Improv is accepting what is presented, without judgment, and offering up something in return. A goal for improv is creating and inspiring fellow stage performers to buy into whatever story, event, or tale is shared and bring their own ideas, all while an audience watches and tries to follow the scene, which has no clear storyline, plot, or ending. It only happens once, and never is repeated again; it’s magic. (Okay, not always, but sometimes.)

Over time my confidence grew in life and on the stage. Six years after that first class, I signed up for a Level 2 class. A year later, I went way out of my comfort zone and registered for Level 3. At the time, I’d been building relationships within the improv community in Harrisburg. It was like nothing I’d experienced, at least for most of my adult life. I instantly felt welcomed. I also felt included, a sensation I hadn’t experienced for a long time.

The reason I felt welcomed was because I’d been invited to participate and accepted as I am, without being required to change myself. Anyone can attend a show or take a class, but this community provided a path to follow. Not only that, but leaders in each class guided me to participate and engage further. After class, community members went to dinner and had a great meal together. 

Standing on stage is still scary, but I’m learning to laugh at myself and not take things so seriously. That phrase “Yes, And…” is so profound to me because just stopping is hard; I’m so used to responding. So slow down and ACCEPT what someone says before adding something. I think we often respond with our own experience instead of acknowledging the other person’s comments, ideas, or thoughts. It is a fantastic opportunity for me to let go of my attitude and just BE PRESENT. It means I need to LISTEN to what that person is saying to be able to offer something in response. And I LOVE that.