Improvisation

 

We had another Skype discussion last night with Adesola. As usual we began with the idea that the conversation was like an improvisation. This thought stuck with me throughout and I began to reflect on this very useful skill within my practice. I have equally adored and been petrified of improv ever since my earliest drama classes. The cycle is forever the same. I don't want to begin, my heart starts pounding and I find myself wanting to write a pre-planned script in my head so everything will flow smoothly. But once I jump in, all that's forgotten and it is the most electrifying thing. There's only the moment, you and the other person. 

It's such a beneficial part of my toolkit and useful in so many circumstances. When I do loop group work (filling in background sound and dialogue in a recording booth), there are rarely any scripts. I just have to watch the scene, step up to the mic and let my imagination roam free. It was terrifying the first time I did it, in front of much more experienced actors, but once I opened my mouth I felt like I'd done it a thousand times. 

Before this second lockdown I had a different improv experience on the first day of my new job! It's a drama teaching job for young children, something I haven't done in years. I had been preparing for weeks, learning the company's style of teaching, the new games, the show materials and choreographing warm ups, all with new Covid measures in mind on top of everything else. So needless to say, I was nervous! I spent extra time on the warm up routines in particular as I haven't danced since before the pandemic and free styling scares the living daylights out of me. The day of the first class came and I went over the warm up before I left the house. I arrived, was about to begin the warm-up in front of 20 children, when my co-teacher casually turned on a song I'd never heard before on the speaker and looked at me to start. Little did she know how much of a panic that sent me into! But time was ticking and the kids were waiting for me to start so I just began! In my head I thought of my planned routine as a starting point, but knew I needed to listen to the music and adapt so I did. And bar one ropy moment which I just laughed off, all went well! I didn't freeze and just trusted that I had enough knowledge to instinctively react to the music (whilst remembering to smile and not give away my panic). 

I remember my old improv teacher encouraging me and saying that I was good but I was holding myself back and editing myself and that there was no need. I think my fear with improv is, surprise surprise, the fear of making a mistake! A colleague of mine recently said that in school, girls in particular find it harder to put up their hand and ask a question because they feel pressure to know the right answer. I haven't looked into this yet in terms of research but I thought it was a very interesting claim. I know that I personally put myself under way too much pressure to instantly be great at this that and the other. But I know how silly this is and that a) making a mistake doesn't matter and b) it's part of the learning process that makes you better! As I mentioned during the Skype chat, being the first person to speak was a challenge for me. But I think the more I practice just jumping in, and not worrying too much about doing something wrong, the more confident I will feel doing things 'on the spot'.

This has inspired me to re-read a book by Keith Johnstone (Impro 1979) that is all about imagination and improvisation. I would highly recommend it if anyone is interested!