[Music] imagine a field that you would play
imagine a field that you would play
imagine a field that you would play sports on and imagine that field is
sports on and imagine that field is
sports on and imagine that field is covered in lots of random sports
covered in lots of random sports
covered in lots of random sports equipment like a tennis ball a bowling
equipment like a tennis ball a bowling
equipment like a tennis ball a bowling ball a catcher’s mitt a hockey stick and
ball a catcher’s mitt a hockey stick and
ball a catcher’s mitt a hockey stick and imagine I asked you and six or seven
imagine I asked you and six or seven
imagine I asked you and six or seven other people to go on that field and
other people to go on that field and
other people to go on that field and immediately begin playing a brand new
immediately begin playing a brand new
immediately begin playing a brand new sport that had never been played before
sport that had never been played before
sport that had never been played before without any planning beforehand
without any planning beforehand
without any planning beforehand whatsoever maybe you don’t even know
whatsoever maybe you don’t even know
whatsoever maybe you don’t even know each other well I’m an improviser and
each other well I’m an improviser and
each other well I’m an improviser and that’s essentially what improvisers are
that’s essentially what improvisers are
that’s essentially what improvisers are doing when they make up comedic scenes
doing when they make up comedic scenes
doing when they make up comedic scenes on the spot in front of an audience with
on the spot in front of an audience with
on the spot in front of an audience with the help of maybe a one-word suggestion
the help of maybe a one-word suggestion
the help of maybe a one-word suggestion they’re making up the rules of a
they’re making up the rules of a
they’re making up the rules of a brand-new game and playing that game
brand-new game and playing that game
brand-new game and playing that game simultaneously and the skills to be
simultaneously and the skills to be
simultaneously and the skills to be consistently successful at then are the
consistently successful at then are the
consistently successful at then are the same skills humans need to act more
same skills humans need to act more
same skills humans need to act more compassionately towards each other
compassionately towards each other
compassionately towards each other improvisers are taught to approach
improvisers are taught to approach
improvisers are taught to approach scenes using the core tenets of improv
scenes using the core tenets of improv
scenes using the core tenets of improv which is referred to as yes and here’s
which is referred to as yes and here’s
which is referred to as yes and here’s what that means the yes part means
what that means the yes part means
what that means the yes part means instant agreement I’m going to say yes
instant agreement I’m going to say yes
instant agreement I’m going to say yes to whatever happens in the scene I’m
to whatever happens in the scene I’m
to whatever happens in the scene I’m going to act as if whatever happens in
going to act as if whatever happens in
going to act as if whatever happens in the scene is the best possible thing
the scene is the best possible thing
the scene is the best possible thing that could have happened and then the
that could have happened and then the
that could have happened and then the person who made that move is a genius
person who made that move is a genius
person who made that move is a genius and my scene partners can do the same
and my scene partners can do the same
and my scene partners can do the same for me so everybody is listening with a
for me so everybody is listening with a
for me so everybody is listening with a spirit of mutual acceptance not just
spirit of mutual acceptance not just
spirit of mutual acceptance not just because of some moral calling but
because of some moral calling but
because of some moral calling but because we’re going to make something
because we’re going to make something
because we’re going to make something awesome together there’s a recognition
awesome together there’s a recognition
awesome together there’s a recognition that your success in my success are
that your success in my success are
that your success in my success are totally intertwined so my thoughts and
totally intertwined so my thoughts and
totally intertwined so my thoughts and ideas are not more valuable than yours
ideas are not more valuable than yours
ideas are not more valuable than yours just because they’re mine I’ll take care
just because they’re mine I’ll take care
just because they’re mine I’ll take care of you you take care of me and together
of you you take care of me and together
of you you take care of me and together we’ll be fine
we’ll be fine
we’ll be fine so empathy and compassion are kind of
so empathy and compassion are kind of
so empathy and compassion are kind of built right into the improv technique
built right into the improv technique
built right into the improv technique and again not because it makes those
and again not because it makes those
and again not because it makes those good people but because it produces
good people but because it produces
good people but because it produces better scenes so if in this new sport
better scenes so if in this new sport
better scenes so if in this new sport somebody without even knowing why picks
somebody without even knowing why picks
somebody without even knowing why picks up that tennis ball and throws it high
up that tennis ball and throws it high
up that tennis ball and throws it high in the air instead of wondering what to
in the air instead of wondering what to
in the air instead of wondering what to do next or asking somebody else or just
do next or asking somebody else or just
do next or asking somebody else or just shaking your head and walking away all
shaking your head and walking away all
shaking your head and walking away all the other players are going to say yes
the other players are going to say yes
the other players are going to say yes to that meaning despite the fact that
to that meaning despite the fact that
to that meaning despite the fact that they have no idea what comes next
they have no idea what comes next
they have no idea what comes next and there’s an entire audience watching
and there’s an entire audience watching
and there’s an entire audience watching them and waiting for them they all
them and waiting for them they all
them and waiting for them they all instantly agree that that is exactly how
instantly agree that that is exactly how
instantly agree that that is exactly how this new sport begins that’s the guest
this new sport begins that’s the guest
this new sport begins that’s the guest part and incidentally that’s why one of
part and incidentally that’s why one of
part and incidentally that’s why one of the best compliments you can give a
the best compliments you can give a
the best compliments you can give a group of improvisers is that what they
group of improvisers is that what they
group of improvisers is that what they did looked scripted because it means
did looked scripted because it means
did looked scripted because it means that they’re saying yes they’re agreeing
that they’re saying yes they’re agreeing
that they’re saying yes they’re agreeing so seamlessly and instantly that the
so seamlessly and instantly that the
so seamlessly and instantly that the appearance of a plan is created it looks
appearance of a plan is created it looks
appearance of a plan is created it looks like they must have made some decisions
like they must have made some decisions
like they must have made some decisions beforehand right so that’s the yes part
beforehand right so that’s the yes part
beforehand right so that’s the yes part of yes and the and part is what happens
of yes and the and part is what happens
of yes and the and part is what happens next
next
next it’s what someone else adds to that
it’s what someone else adds to that
it’s what someone else adds to that first person’s move and it’s similarly
first person’s move and it’s similarly
first person’s move and it’s similarly agreed to so improv is instantly
agreed to so improv is instantly
agreed to so improv is instantly collaborative improvisers are instantly
collaborative improvisers are instantly
collaborative improvisers are instantly making a partnership with each other
making a partnership with each other
making a partnership with each other before they even know how or why we’re
before they even know how or why we’re
before they even know how or why we’re taught not to see each other as threats
taught not to see each other as threats
taught not to see each other as threats or competitors or others but as members
or competitors or others but as members
or competitors or others but as members of our tribe who are going to protect
of our tribe who are going to protect
of our tribe who are going to protect make look good and who were instantly
make look good and who were instantly
make look good and who were instantly committing to work together so there’s
committing to work together so there’s
committing to work together so there’s some blind trust involved because you
some blind trust involved because you
some blind trust involved because you know sometimes it doesn’t work sometimes
know sometimes it doesn’t work sometimes
know sometimes it doesn’t work sometimes we fail and sometimes we don’t make that
we fail and sometimes we don’t make that
we fail and sometimes we don’t make that new sport but we’re going to try we’re
new sport but we’re going to try we’re
new sport but we’re going to try we’re going to say yes to trying together
going to say yes to trying together
going to say yes to trying together because we know there’s practical value
because we know there’s practical value
because we know there’s practical value there and there are no mistakes in
there and there are no mistakes in
there and there are no mistakes in improv anything that happens that’s
improv anything that happens that’s
improv anything that happens that’s unintended is instantly incorporated
unintended is instantly incorporated
unintended is instantly incorporated into this new reality we’re making on
into this new reality we’re making on
into this new reality we’re making on the spot so if that person throws that
the spot so if that person throws that
the spot so if that person throws that tennis ball high in the air all the
tennis ball high in the air all the
tennis ball high in the air all the other players are going to say yes and
other players are going to say yes and
other players are going to say yes and then add something so maybe somebody
then add something so maybe somebody
then add something so maybe somebody tries to jump up and grab that ball
tries to jump up and grab that ball
tries to jump up and grab that ball before it comes down everybody else sees
before it comes down everybody else sees
before it comes down everybody else sees it and they try to do that to instantly
it and they try to do that to instantly
it and they try to do that to instantly and that’s the next part of how this
and that’s the next part of how this
and that’s the next part of how this game works
game works
game works maybe somebody runs as far as they can
maybe somebody runs as far as they can
maybe somebody runs as far as they can from where the ball is going to hit the
from where the ball is going to hit the
from where the ball is going to hit the ground everybody sees that and runs
ground everybody sees that and runs
ground everybody sees that and runs maybe somebody trips everybody sees that
maybe somebody trips everybody sees that
maybe somebody trips everybody sees that and they trip also turning that mistake
and they trip also turning that mistake
and they trip also turning that mistake into now an integral part of how this
into now an integral part of how this
into now an integral part of how this game works maybe everybody takes their
game works maybe everybody takes their
game works maybe everybody takes their pants off and starts bragging about
pants off and starts bragging about
pants off and starts bragging about breakfast I don’t know you know the
breakfast I don’t know you know the
breakfast I don’t know you know the content isn’t as important to the form
content isn’t as important to the form
content isn’t as important to the form and the form is saying yes instant
and the form is saying yes instant
and the form is saying yes instant agreement so that’s a first meeting of
agreement so that’s a first meeting of
agreement so that’s a first meeting of yes and this idea of instant agreement
yes and this idea of instant agreement
yes and this idea of instant agreement and instant partnership with each
and instant partnership with each
and instant partnership with each other’s which has great implications for
other’s which has great implications for
other’s which has great implications for acts of compassion right we’re much more
acts of compassion right we’re much more
acts of compassion right we’re much more apt to be compassionate towards those
apt to be compassionate towards those
apt to be compassionate towards those that we consider to be members of our
that we consider to be members of our
that we consider to be members of our tribe on our team but there’s a second
tribe on our team but there’s a second
tribe on our team but there’s a second meaning to yes and that involves saying
meaning to yes and that involves saying
meaning to yes and that involves saying yes to risk and fear
yes to risk and fear
yes to risk and fear and I’m going to walk over here and talk
and I’m going to walk over here and talk
and I’m going to walk over here and talk about it improv technique lays out an
about it improv technique lays out an
about it improv technique lays out an internal strategy for saying yes to risk
internal strategy for saying yes to risk
internal strategy for saying yes to risk and the fear of the unknown so
and the fear of the unknown so
and the fear of the unknown so compassion literally means to take on
compassion literally means to take on
compassion literally means to take on someone else’s suffering as your own to
someone else’s suffering as your own to
someone else’s suffering as your own to be responsible for it as if it were
be responsible for it as if it were
be responsible for it as if it were yours and doing that is scary it makes
yours and doing that is scary it makes
yours and doing that is scary it makes you vulnerable and it takes risk one of
you vulnerable and it takes risk one of
you vulnerable and it takes risk one of the most basic human reflexes is to say
the most basic human reflexes is to say
the most basic human reflexes is to say no to risk and for good reason
no to risk and for good reason
no to risk and for good reason millions of years of evolution have
millions of years of evolution have
millions of years of evolution have fine-tuned our autonomic nervous system
fine-tuned our autonomic nervous system
fine-tuned our autonomic nervous system to help us avoid risk and while risk
to help us avoid risk and while risk
to help us avoid risk and while risk aversion is a great survival tactic it
aversion is a great survival tactic it
aversion is a great survival tactic it comes at a cost it’s a general inhibitor
comes at a cost it’s a general inhibitor
comes at a cost it’s a general inhibitor and it’s it’s conservative anything that
and it’s it’s conservative anything that
and it’s it’s conservative anything that even remotely seems like a survival risk
even remotely seems like a survival risk
even remotely seems like a survival risk will be treated like one your
will be treated like one your
will be treated like one your fight-or-flight response kicks in in
fight-or-flight response kicks in in
fight-or-flight response kicks in in times when your survival is not actually
times when your survival is not actually
times when your survival is not actually being threatened public speaking comes
being threatened public speaking comes
being threatened public speaking comes to mind for no reason at all right my
to mind for no reason at all right my
to mind for no reason at all right my point was returning to center that that
point was returning to center that that
point was returning to center that that natural selection is unconcerned with
natural selection is unconcerned with
natural selection is unconcerned with your happiness it’s only function is to
your happiness it’s only function is to
your happiness it’s only function is to preserve your chances of reproducing
preserve your chances of reproducing
preserve your chances of reproducing that’s it and so like a lot of evolved
that’s it and so like a lot of evolved
that’s it and so like a lot of evolved impulses this kind of fear response risk
impulses this kind of fear response risk
impulses this kind of fear response risk aversion gets applied in situations that
aversion gets applied in situations that
aversion gets applied in situations that only seem appropriate and improv
only seem appropriate and improv
only seem appropriate and improv training directly challenges that
training directly challenges that
training directly challenges that instinct the most oft quoted improv
instinct the most oft quoted improv
instinct the most oft quoted improv Maxim is follow the fear in other words
Maxim is follow the fear in other words
Maxim is follow the fear in other words going towards that which makes you
going towards that which makes you
going towards that which makes you vulnerable on stage will invariably be
vulnerable on stage will invariably be
vulnerable on stage will invariably be interesting to watch saying no and
interesting to watch saying no and
interesting to watch saying no and staying safe is boring and improvisers
staying safe is boring and improvisers
staying safe is boring and improvisers dull that fear responds to repetition we
dull that fear responds to repetition we
dull that fear responds to repetition we are nothing if not prolific you and the
are nothing if not prolific you and the
are nothing if not prolific you and the improv world you do a lot of improv we
improv world you do a lot of improv we
improv world you do a lot of improv we don’t rehearse for months and then do
don’t rehearse for months and then do
don’t rehearse for months and then do one big show we do shows for months and
one big show we do shows for months and
one big show we do shows for months and then think maybe we should start
then think maybe we should start
then think maybe we should start rehearsing more
rehearsing more
rehearsing more screenwriters and playwrights always
screenwriters and playwrights always
screenwriters and playwrights always make it so that their protagonists are
make it so that their protagonists are
make it so that their protagonists are going to find a reason to say yes they
going to find a reason to say yes they
going to find a reason to say yes they write it in write for example take the
write it in write for example take the
write it in write for example take the greatest story ever told Lord of the
greatest story ever told Lord of the
greatest story ever told Lord of the Rings okay I think I heard the Bible
Rings okay I think I heard the Bible
Rings okay I think I heard the Bible check it out I’ll pick it out Lord of
check it out I’ll pick it out Lord of
check it out I’ll pick it out Lord of the Rings basic hero’s journey story
the Rings basic hero’s journey story
the Rings basic hero’s journey story right Frodo has every reason to say no
right Frodo has every reason to say no
right Frodo has every reason to say no and reject his mission he might die at
and reject his mission he might die at
and reject his mission he might die at first glance he is totally unfit for the
first glance he is totally unfit for the
first glance he is totally unfit for the job he has no special skills he’s small
job he has no special skills he’s small
job he has no special skills he’s small he can’t get anywhere he doesn’t have a
he can’t get anywhere he doesn’t have a
he can’t get anywhere he doesn’t have a car or anything like that right but we
car or anything like that right but we
car or anything like that right but we know he’s going to say yes right we know
know he’s going to say yes right we know
know he’s going to say yes right we know he’s going to accept that mission
he’s going to accept that mission
he’s going to accept that mission because if he doesn’t the movies over in
because if he doesn’t the movies over in
because if he doesn’t the movies over in like 25 minutes and we’ve got a solid
like 25 minutes and we’ve got a solid
like 25 minutes and we’ve got a solid ten hours of trilogy to worry about so
ten hours of trilogy to worry about so
ten hours of trilogy to worry about so we know he’s going to say yes we know
we know he’s going to say yes we know
we know he’s going to say yes we know the writers are going to build that in
the writers are going to build that in
the writers are going to build that in the thing is that’s interesting at first
the thing is that’s interesting at first
the thing is that’s interesting at first he does say no which seems like a waste
he does say no which seems like a waste
he does say no which seems like a waste of time but what he’s doing is setting
of time but what he’s doing is setting
of time but what he’s doing is setting the stakes he’s saying hey saying yes to
the stakes he’s saying hey saying yes to
the stakes he’s saying hey saying yes to this is hard it makes me really
this is hard it makes me really
this is hard it makes me really vulnerable and if I fail the entire
vulnerable and if I fail the entire
vulnerable and if I fail the entire world falls into darkness those are the
world falls into darkness those are the
world falls into darkness those are the stakes he’s letting us know how
stakes he’s letting us know how
stakes he’s letting us know how interesting it will be to watch him do
interesting it will be to watch him do
interesting it will be to watch him do this thing once he finally comes around
this thing once he finally comes around
this thing once he finally comes around and says yes well while a screenplay is
and says yes well while a screenplay is
and says yes well while a screenplay is a blueprint of events over time that
a blueprint of events over time that
a blueprint of events over time that actors kind of reverse-engineer in order
actors kind of reverse-engineer in order
actors kind of reverse-engineer in order to make a look inevitable improvisers
to make a look inevitable improvisers
to make a look inevitable improvisers have no blueprint everything they do is
have no blueprint everything they do is
have no blueprint everything they do is literally inevitable so they have to
literally inevitable so they have to
literally inevitable so they have to make up those risks themselves they have
make up those risks themselves they have
make up those risks themselves they have to do it themselves so learning improv
to do it themselves so learning improv
to do it themselves so learning improv changes your view of risk and fear all
changes your view of risk and fear all
changes your view of risk and fear all of a sudden there’s a positive value to
of a sudden there’s a positive value to
of a sudden there’s a positive value to those things you look for risk and fear
those things you look for risk and fear
those things you look for risk and fear there’s an inherent contradiction and
there’s an inherent contradiction and
there’s an inherent contradiction and learning improv you’re being asked to be
learning improv you’re being asked to be
learning improv you’re being asked to be in the moment follow your impulses but
in the moment follow your impulses but
in the moment follow your impulses but also to change your impulses from saying
also to change your impulses from saying
also to change your impulses from saying no to saying yes and that is another
no to saying yes and that is another
no to saying yes and that is another place where improv technique greatly
place where improv technique greatly
place where improv technique greatly explains acts of compassion because if
explains acts of compassion because if
explains acts of compassion because if you want to find a reason to say no to
you want to find a reason to say no to
you want to find a reason to say no to give in to fear and not help somebody
give in to fear and not help somebody
give in to fear and not help somebody suffering on the street for example you
suffering on the street for example you
suffering on the street for example you will find that reason if you want to
will find that reason if you want to
will find that reason if you want to find a reason to say not let an entire
find a reason to say not let an entire
find a reason to say not let an entire demographic of people into your country
demographic of people into your country
demographic of people into your country despite the fact that there’s
despite the fact that there’s
despite the fact that there’s overwhelming evidence that it’s mutually
overwhelming evidence that it’s mutually
overwhelming evidence that it’s mutually beneficial to do
beneficial to do
beneficial to do so you will find that reason humans are
so you will find that reason humans are
so you will find that reason humans are naturally apprehensive of each other’s
naturally apprehensive of each other’s
naturally apprehensive of each other’s motives and that every tension can be
motives and that every tension can be
motives and that every tension can be exploited from within or without the
exploited from within or without the
exploited from within or without the philosopher Daniel Dennett writes a lot
philosopher Daniel Dennett writes a lot
philosopher Daniel Dennett writes a lot about this he calls it knowing other
about this he calls it knowing other
about this he calls it knowing other minds what humans are good at that other
minds what humans are good at that other
minds what humans are good at that other animals are not so good at is knowing
animals are not so good at is knowing
animals are not so good at is knowing other minds meaning I can try to protect
other minds meaning I can try to protect
other minds meaning I can try to protect myself by trying to intuit what you’re
myself by trying to intuit what you’re
myself by trying to intuit what you’re thinking and what you want but you know
thinking and what you want but you know
thinking and what you want but you know that I can do that so you might send me
that I can do that so you might send me
that I can do that so you might send me misinformation and on and on it’s like
misinformation and on and on it’s like
misinformation and on and on it’s like an arms race to quote done it you know
an arms race to quote done it you know
an arms race to quote done it you know who we are not innately distrustful of
who we are not innately distrustful of
who we are not innately distrustful of dogs we find dogs imminently eligible
dogs we find dogs imminently eligible
dogs we find dogs imminently eligible for our compassion right because they
for our compassion right because they
for our compassion right because they are basically incapable of deception and
are basically incapable of deception and
are basically incapable of deception and their loyalty is totally genuine well an
their loyalty is totally genuine well an
their loyalty is totally genuine well an improv we treat everyone like dogs
improv we treat everyone like dogs
improv we treat everyone like dogs that’s right we say by default I’m going
that’s right we say by default I’m going
that’s right we say by default I’m going to trust you and you trust me and on the
to trust you and you trust me and on the
to trust you and you trust me and on the off chance that I’m wrong it’s fine
off chance that I’m wrong it’s fine
off chance that I’m wrong it’s fine because no one has ever died from buying
because no one has ever died from buying
because no one has ever died from buying someone a hot me on the street and no
someone a hot me on the street and no
someone a hot me on the street and no one has ever died from improv that I
one has ever died from improv that I
one has ever died from improv that I know I mean I know that is totally how I
know I mean I know that is totally how I
know I mean I know that is totally how I want to go in an improv scene they’ll be
want to go in an improv scene they’ll be
want to go in an improv scene they’ll be amazing my tombstone would just be r.i.p
amazing my tombstone would just be r.i.p
amazing my tombstone would just be r.i.p the one-word suggestion was grapefruit
the one-word suggestion was grapefruit
the one-word suggestion was grapefruit or something
or something
or something I do think there’s another equally deep
I do think there’s another equally deep
I do think there’s another equally deep reason that make acts of compassion
reason that make acts of compassion
reason that make acts of compassion difficult I remember my first year
difficult I remember my first year
difficult I remember my first year living in New York City I was out with a
living in New York City I was out with a
living in New York City I was out with a group of people and someone approached
group of people and someone approached
group of people and someone approached us on the street and asked for some
us on the street and asked for some
us on the street and asked for some change and I gave this guy some change
change and I gave this guy some change
change and I gave this guy some change and after he left someone else in the
and after he left someone else in the
and after he left someone else in the group made fun of me made me feel
group made fun of me made me feel
group made fun of me made me feel foolish like I got conned and I remember
foolish like I got conned and I remember
foolish like I got conned and I remember being angry but I also remember thinking
being angry but I also remember thinking
being angry but I also remember thinking he was definitely wrong but I couldn’t
he was definitely wrong but I couldn’t
he was definitely wrong but I couldn’t articulate why and what I subsequently
articulate why and what I subsequently
articulate why and what I subsequently learned was what that guy was playing
learned was what that guy was playing
learned was what that guy was playing into is what social psychologists refer
into is what social psychologists refer
into is what social psychologists refer to as the just world hypothesis and what
to as the just world hypothesis and what
to as the just world hypothesis and what that hypothesis says is that people want
that hypothesis says is that people want
that hypothesis says is that people want to believe that the world is inherently
to believe that the world is inherently
to believe that the world is inherently just because if it is then you can
just because if it is then you can
just because if it is then you can control your fate because the idea that
control your fate because the idea that
control your fate because the idea that despite your best intentions you still
despite your best intentions you still
despite your best intentions you still might wind up catastrophically unlucky
might wind up catastrophically unlucky
might wind up catastrophically unlucky or victimized is terrifying and
or victimized is terrifying and
or victimized is terrifying and conversely if the world is just and that
conversely if the world is just and that
conversely if the world is just and that guy in the street I guess he deserves
guy in the street I guess he deserves
guy in the street I guess he deserves his fate he’s earned that life so he’s
his fate he’s earned that life so he’s
his fate he’s earned that life so he’s not my concern I’m off the hook which is
not my concern I’m off the hook which is
not my concern I’m off the hook which is of course a terrible rationalization but
of course a terrible rationalization but
of course a terrible rationalization but an understandable one because once you
an understandable one because once you
an understandable one because once you admit to yourself that you do have some
admit to yourself that you do have some
admit to yourself that you do have some moral responsibility to ease the
moral responsibility to ease the
moral responsibility to ease the suffering of those who are simply
suffering of those who are simply
suffering of those who are simply unlucky you have to attend to that
unlucky you have to attend to that
unlucky you have to attend to that responsibility and that is not a light
responsibility and that is not a light
responsibility and that is not a light burden in fact it can create some real
burden in fact it can create some real
burden in fact it can create some real discomfort but that is what improvisers
discomfort but that is what improvisers
discomfort but that is what improvisers are good at creating a network a group
are good at creating a network a group
are good at creating a network a group that goes towards some discomfort
that goes towards some discomfort
that goes towards some discomfort instead of a way in order to make
instead of a way in order to make
instead of a way in order to make something great saying yes following the
something great saying yes following the
something great saying yes following the fear returning to stage left that improv
fear returning to stage left that improv
fear returning to stage left that improv engenders empathy and compassion is
engenders empathy and compassion is
engenders empathy and compassion is maybe most notable in improv classes and
maybe most notable in improv classes and
maybe most notable in improv classes and communities improv communities have
communities improv communities have
communities improv communities have their problems like other any other
their problems like other any other
their problems like other any other community but they can be surprisingly
community but they can be surprisingly
community but they can be surprisingly compassionate the yes and philosophy
compassionate the yes and philosophy
compassionate the yes and philosophy permeates the communities not just
permeates the communities not just
permeates the communities not just onstage as a way to make people laugh
onstage as a way to make people laugh
onstage as a way to make people laugh but offstage as a way of relating to
but offstage as a way of relating to
but offstage as a way of relating to each other people who study improv
each other people who study improv
each other people who study improv together create really strong bonds
together create really strong bonds
together create really strong bonds because they find themselves in a group
because they find themselves in a group
because they find themselves in a group that is literally training to support
that is literally training to support
that is literally training to support each other’s choices to prioritize
each other’s choices to prioritize
each other’s choices to prioritize listening over being listened to to
listening over being listened to to
listening over being listened to to notice the first thing you can say yes
notice the first thing you can say yes
notice the first thing you can say yes to in a scene you have to have an
to in a scene you have to have an
to in a scene you have to have an external attention you can’t be in your
external attention you can’t be in your
external attention you can’t be in your head figuring and right
head figuring and right
head figuring and right and planning and prediction and future
and planning and prediction and future
and planning and prediction and future so listening is practiced as a primary
so listening is practiced as a primary
so listening is practiced as a primary skill and by listening I don’t just mean
skill and by listening I don’t just mean
skill and by listening I don’t just mean hearing sounds I mean being open to
hearing sounds I mean being open to
hearing sounds I mean being open to being affected and changed listening in
being affected and changed listening in
being affected and changed listening in this case doesn’t just mean being a
this case doesn’t just mean being a
this case doesn’t just mean being a perceptive observer it means cultivating
perceptive observer it means cultivating
perceptive observer it means cultivating the initiative to act on those
the initiative to act on those
the initiative to act on those observations seeing a situation and
observations seeing a situation and
observations seeing a situation and having ownership over it and I’ve had
having ownership over it and I’ve had
having ownership over it and I’ve had students in the past who after classes
students in the past who after classes
students in the past who after classes have said that that first 10 minutes in
have said that that first 10 minutes in
have said that that first 10 minutes in class when we sit in a circle and just
class when we sit in a circle and just
class when we sit in a circle and just talk about our weeks as practice
talk about our weeks as practice
talk about our weeks as practice relating to each other and being
relating to each other and being
relating to each other and being truthful in the moment but that’s the
truthful in the moment but that’s the
truthful in the moment but that’s the only time during the week they really
only time during the week they really
only time during the week they really feel like they can open up about what
feel like they can open up about what
feel like they can open up about what they’re going through
they’re going through
they’re going through because they know they’ll be met with
because they know they’ll be met with
because they know they’ll be met with open years and without judgment
open years and without judgment
open years and without judgment compassion takes effort but the skills
compassion takes effort but the skills
compassion takes effort but the skills involved in compassionate behavior
involved in compassionate behavior
involved in compassionate behavior just like comedic proficiency do not
just like comedic proficiency do not
just like comedic proficiency do not have to be left up to luck in America we
have to be left up to luck in America we
have to be left up to luck in America we expect all kids to learn some core
expect all kids to learn some core
expect all kids to learn some core competency in math English science and
competency in math English science and
competency in math English science and history but oftentimes things that test
history but oftentimes things that test
history but oftentimes things that test subjects that are more associated with
subjects that are more associated with
subjects that are more associated with emotional and artistic intelligences
emotional and artistic intelligences
emotional and artistic intelligences they’re relegated to predisposition
they’re relegated to predisposition
they’re relegated to predisposition you’re either talented or you’re not an
you’re either talented or you’re not an
you’re either talented or you’re not an improv training clearly shows that there
improv training clearly shows that there
improv training clearly shows that there is a learn about technique to saying yes
is a learn about technique to saying yes
is a learn about technique to saying yes and supporting others to living more
and supporting others to living more
and supporting others to living more fearless Lee and empathetically and to
fearless Lee and empathetically and to
fearless Lee and empathetically and to listening observing and taking action
listening observing and taking action
listening observing and taking action and that there’s not only moral value in
and that there’s not only moral value in
and that there’s not only moral value in that but there’s practical value it just
that but there’s practical value it just
that but there’s practical value it just creates better outcomes so from here on
creates better outcomes so from here on
creates better outcomes so from here on out when somebody says they identify as
out when somebody says they identify as
out when somebody says they identify as an improviser they’re not just saying
an improviser they’re not just saying
an improviser they’re not just saying they’re unemployed probably
so in conclusion am I really saying that
so in conclusion am I really saying that if everybody took improv class and
if everybody took improv class and
if everybody took improv class and improvisers ran our governments and
improvisers ran our governments and
improvisers ran our governments and institutions that the world would really
institutions that the world would really
institutions that the world would really be a better place yes yes II thank you
”
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