[Applause] I’m here today to talk about how improv
I’m here today to talk about how improv
I’m here today to talk about how improv comedies techniques can be used in your
comedies techniques can be used in your
comedies techniques can be used in your life to solve problems and also just as
life to solve problems and also just as
life to solve problems and also just as a general worldview so there’s some
a general worldview so there’s some
a general worldview so there’s some common misconceptions about what improv
common misconceptions about what improv
common misconceptions about what improv actually is there’s a stand-up comedy
actually is there’s a stand-up comedy
actually is there’s a stand-up comedy club have you guys heard of it called
club have you guys heard of it called
club have you guys heard of it called The Improv maybe so actually stand-up is
The Improv maybe so actually stand-up is
The Improv maybe so actually stand-up is pretty different from what improv
pretty different from what improv
pretty different from what improv actually is stand-up is usually
actually is stand-up is usually
actually is stand-up is usually performed by one person and they write
performed by one person and they write
performed by one person and they write it before and then deliver jokes and
it before and then deliver jokes and
it before and then deliver jokes and Saturday Night Live is similar in that
Saturday Night Live is similar in that
Saturday Night Live is similar in that it’s a sketch comedy show so it’s all
it’s a sketch comedy show so it’s all
it’s a sketch comedy show so it’s all written out beforehand although a lot of
written out beforehand although a lot of
written out beforehand although a lot of people who perform on the show are
people who perform on the show are
people who perform on the show are Improv comedians it’s not improvised so
Improv comedians it’s not improvised so
Improv comedians it’s not improvised so now that we’ve got those misconceptions
now that we’ve got those misconceptions
now that we’ve got those misconceptions out of the day out of the way I got
out of the day out of the way I got
out of the day out of the way I got another one a lot of people think improv
another one a lot of people think improv
another one a lot of people think improv is just like shooting people with guns
is just like shooting people with guns
is just like shooting people with guns and doing really absurd motions with
and doing really absurd motions with
and doing really absurd motions with their hands but that’s not really the
their hands but that’s not really the
their hands but that’s not really the kind of techniques I wanted to talk to
kind of techniques I wanted to talk to
kind of techniques I wanted to talk to you about today even though I’ve been
you about today even though I’ve been
you about today even though I’ve been shot many times and improv so what is
shot many times and improv so what is
shot many times and improv so what is improv exactly I would describe improv
improv exactly I would describe improv
improv exactly I would describe improv as being a way to express in an art form
as being a way to express in an art form
as being a way to express in an art form how to collaborate and how to create a
how to collaborate and how to create a
how to collaborate and how to create a scene or a moment that’s only in that
scene or a moment that’s only in that
scene or a moment that’s only in that moment while thinking quickly on your
moment while thinking quickly on your
moment while thinking quickly on your feet so the first improv show I ever
feet so the first improv show I ever
feet so the first improv show I ever went to was in New York City at an
went to was in New York City at an
went to was in New York City at an Improv Theater and I went with my
Improv Theater and I went with my
Improv Theater and I went with my parents and they thought it was kind of
parents and they thought it was kind of
parents and they thought it was kind of weird they’re more used to shows on TV
weird they’re more used to shows on TV
weird they’re more used to shows on TV that have written scripts whereas I was
that have written scripts whereas I was
that have written scripts whereas I was really in awe of this show and I thought
really in awe of this show and I thought
really in awe of this show and I thought there was something magical about it so
there was something magical about it so
there was something magical about it so when I came to Brandeis in fall of 2013
when I came to Brandeis in fall of 2013
when I came to Brandeis in fall of 2013 I auditioned and joined the improv group
I auditioned and joined the improv group
I auditioned and joined the improv group TBA and I really discovered and what got
TBA and I really discovered and what got
TBA and I really discovered and what got into this magic of what improv could be
into this magic of what improv could be
into this magic of what improv could be by performing and rehearsing with my
by performing and rehearsing with my
by performing and rehearsing with my group of about eight people then when I
group of about eight people then when I
group of about eight people then when I lived in DC for the summer I met some
lived in DC for the summer I met some
lived in DC for the summer I met some professional improvisers who toured
professional improvisers who toured
professional improvisers who toured across the country teaching improv
across the country teaching improv
across the country teaching improv comedy and I also got to work in a group
comedy and I also got to work in a group
comedy and I also got to work in a group of women who
of women who
of women who improv in the DC area and then at the
improv in the DC area and then at the
improv in the DC area and then at the end of the summer I took a class at that
end of the summer I took a class at that
end of the summer I took a class at that same theater that I went to for my first
same theater that I went to for my first
same theater that I went to for my first improv show and there I learned some
improv show and there I learned some
improv show and there I learned some techniques about what it meant to be an
techniques about what it meant to be an
techniques about what it meant to be an improviser
improviser
improviser and from there shaped what it meant for
and from there shaped what it meant for
and from there shaped what it meant for my worldview so I’m going to share with
my worldview so I’m going to share with
my worldview so I’m going to share with you today what those techniques are in
you today what those techniques are in
you today what those techniques are in an improv comedy context and then how we
an improv comedy context and then how we
an improv comedy context and then how we can apply them to your life so one of
can apply them to your life so one of
can apply them to your life so one of the most important concepts of improv
the most important concepts of improv
the most important concepts of improv comedy is yes and when you say yes and
comedy is yes and when you say yes and
comedy is yes and when you say yes and you’re agreeing with whatever you’re
you’re agreeing with whatever you’re
you’re agreeing with whatever you’re seeing partner who’s creating that
seeing partner who’s creating that
seeing partner who’s creating that moment with you is saying while also
moment with you is saying while also
moment with you is saying while also adding on and supplementing it so uh
adding on and supplementing it so uh
adding on and supplementing it so uh let’s do a little exercise real quick
let’s do a little exercise real quick
let’s do a little exercise real quick can I have a volunteer from the audience
can I have a volunteer from the audience
can I have a volunteer from the audience anybody over there thanks for
anybody over there thanks for
anybody over there thanks for volunteering so I’m going to say a
volunteering so I’m going to say a
volunteering so I’m going to say a statement like a line of dialogue yeah
statement like a line of dialogue yeah
statement like a line of dialogue yeah you can just stay where you are
you can just stay where you are
you can just stay where you are no worries relax and after I say that
no worries relax and after I say that
no worries relax and after I say that you’re going to say yes and and continue
you’re going to say yes and and continue
you’re going to say yes and and continue a line of dialogue with me and I can
a line of dialogue with me and I can
a line of dialogue with me and I can respond with yes and – and we’ll just
respond with yes and – and we’ll just
respond with yes and – and we’ll just keep it going to kind of show the rest
keep it going to kind of show the rest
keep it going to kind of show the rest of the audience what I’m trying to talk
of the audience what I’m trying to talk
of the audience what I’m trying to talk about okay so let’s see Chris they have
about okay so let’s see Chris they have
about okay so let’s see Chris they have the mom our kitchen is on fire yes and
the mom our kitchen is on fire yes and
the mom our kitchen is on fire yes and the fire station is also on fire
the fire station is also on fire
the fire station is also on fire yes and I didn’t realize that our fire
yes and I didn’t realize that our fire
yes and I didn’t realize that our fire station was so flammable but I guess
station was so flammable but I guess
station was so flammable but I guess we’re going to need to buy a new house
we’re going to need to buy a new house
we’re going to need to buy a new house and a new fire station yes and we’re in
and a new fire station yes and we’re in
and a new fire station yes and we’re in a drought so where are you gonna get
a drought so where are you gonna get
a drought so where are you gonna get water yes can I just check the fire
water yes can I just check the fire
water yes can I just check the fire hydrant outside and it’s just vapor
hydrant outside and it’s just vapor
hydrant outside and it’s just vapor shooting out of it
shooting out of it
shooting out of it yes and your dog fighting is what’s
yes and your dog fighting is what’s
yes and your dog fighting is what’s happening
happening
happening great job give it up for our lovely
great job give it up for our lovely
great job give it up for our lovely volunteer so that definitely showed what
volunteer so that definitely showed what
volunteer so that definitely showed what that concept is talking about it’s
that concept is talking about it’s
that concept is talking about it’s constantly listening closely and adding
constantly listening closely and adding
constantly listening closely and adding on to what is going on to create this
on to what is going on to create this
on to what is going on to create this scenario and make the rest of the
scenario and make the rest of the
scenario and make the rest of the audience feel like they’re a part of it
audience feel like they’re a part of it
audience feel like they’re a part of it all
all
all another part of improv is being present
another part of improv is being present
another part of improv is being present and being in the moment living in the
and being in the moment living in the
and being in the moment living in the moment as a meme might say and really
moment as a meme might say and really
moment as a meme might say and really trying to create what that moment looks
trying to create what that moment looks
trying to create what that moment looks like whether you’re in a field and
like whether you’re in a field and
like whether you’re in a field and interacting with the people or fairies
interacting with the people or fairies
interacting with the people or fairies in that field or you’re picking flowers
in that field or you’re picking flowers
in that field or you’re picking flowers in it trying to make yourself a whole
in it trying to make yourself a whole
in it trying to make yourself a whole part of what’s going on in this exact
part of what’s going on in this exact
part of what’s going on in this exact moment so that leads me to my next one
moment so that leads me to my next one
moment so that leads me to my next one which is gift-giving so let’s say I
which is gift-giving so let’s say I
which is gift-giving so let’s say I picked that flower from the field and
picked that flower from the field and
picked that flower from the field and then I gave it to someone that would be
then I gave it to someone that would be
then I gave it to someone that would be kind of like a literal gift but
kind of like a literal gift but
kind of like a literal gift but gift-giving is more than that it’s
gift-giving is more than that it’s
gift-giving is more than that it’s giving someone a role giving someone a
giving someone a role giving someone a
giving someone a role giving someone a relationship to build off of throughout
relationship to build off of throughout
relationship to build off of throughout the scene to create it and make sure
the scene to create it and make sure
the scene to create it and make sure that they’re not standing there alone
that they’re not standing there alone
that they’re not standing there alone like I mentioned with stand-up comedy
like I mentioned with stand-up comedy
like I mentioned with stand-up comedy it’s written before and you’re standing
it’s written before and you’re standing
it’s written before and you’re standing there alone giving jokes but with improv
there alone giving jokes but with improv
there alone giving jokes but with improv comedy it’s more building off of each
comedy it’s more building off of each
comedy it’s more building off of each other and making sure that you’re not
other and making sure that you’re not
other and making sure that you’re not standing in front making all the funny
standing in front making all the funny
standing in front making all the funny jokes and that you’re supporting your
jokes and that you’re supporting your
jokes and that you’re supporting your partner by giving each other gifts
partner by giving each other gifts
partner by giving each other gifts throughout the rest of the scene and
throughout the rest of the scene and
throughout the rest of the scene and making each other both look good by
making each other both look good by
making each other both look good by supporting each other another important
supporting each other another important
supporting each other another important part of improv comedy is taking risks
part of improv comedy is taking risks
part of improv comedy is taking risks making those big choices so it is a risk
making those big choices so it is a risk
making those big choices so it is a risk in itself to be improvising to be
in itself to be improvising to be
in itself to be improvising to be onstage and to be at the will of the
onstage and to be at the will of the
onstage and to be at the will of the audience and whoever is on stage with
audience and whoever is on stage with
audience and whoever is on stage with you but in general once you’re in the
you but in general once you’re in the
you but in general once you’re in the scene you need to make those choices
scene you need to make those choices
scene you need to make those choices that will
that will
that will continue it and let’s say whoever I’m in
continue it and let’s say whoever I’m in
continue it and let’s say whoever I’m in a scene with says that I’m a beekeeper
a scene with says that I’m a beekeeper
a scene with says that I’m a beekeeper now I know nothing about bees other than
now I know nothing about bees other than
now I know nothing about bees other than that they sting and it really hurts and
that they sting and it really hurts and
that they sting and it really hurts and they’re yellow but if I was told that I
they’re yellow but if I was told that I
they’re yellow but if I was told that I was a beekeeper I would have to take
was a beekeeper I would have to take
was a beekeeper I would have to take that risk and pretend that I was the
that risk and pretend that I was the
that risk and pretend that I was the best beekeeper in the world and I would
best beekeeper in the world and I would
best beekeeper in the world and I would learn everything about being a beekeeper
learn everything about being a beekeeper
learn everything about being a beekeeper and just make it up on the spot and
and just make it up on the spot and
and just make it up on the spot and really take that risk and take it to
really take that risk and take it to
really take that risk and take it to heart for the rest of the scene but the
heart for the rest of the scene but the
heart for the rest of the scene but the underlying factor of being an improviser
underlying factor of being an improviser
underlying factor of being an improviser is to have fun to play really
is to have fun to play really
is to have fun to play really improvising is like being a child in a
improvising is like being a child in a
improvising is like being a child in a playground and like I said being present
playground and like I said being present
playground and like I said being present taking in everything around you and
taking in everything around you and
taking in everything around you and supporting the people around you and
supporting the people around you and
supporting the people around you and having fun with it and really just
having fun with it and really just
having fun with it and really just letting yourself free and letting
letting yourself free and letting
letting yourself free and letting yourself have fun okay so before I get
yourself have fun okay so before I get
yourself have fun okay so before I get into how to approach problems through
into how to approach problems through
into how to approach problems through all of these techniques can you guys do
all of these techniques can you guys do
all of these techniques can you guys do a little bit of a improv suggestion type
a little bit of a improv suggestion type
a little bit of a improv suggestion type exercise with me three down sounds good
exercise with me three down sounds good
exercise with me three down sounds good so let’s hear what did you guys have for
so let’s hear what did you guys have for
so let’s hear what did you guys have for breakfast today just shout it out
breakfast today just shout it out
breakfast today just shout it out Wow good eaters healthy thank you okay
Wow good eaters healthy thank you okay
Wow good eaters healthy thank you okay and who is your favorite person in the
and who is your favorite person in the
and who is your favorite person in the entire world nice okay and what are some
entire world nice okay and what are some
entire world nice okay and what are some problems that you guys are having in
problems that you guys are having in
problems that you guys are having in your life right now yeah I feel you I
your life right now yeah I feel you I
your life right now yeah I feel you I have a lot of issues too all right so
have a lot of issues too all right so
have a lot of issues too all right so let’s tackle those so in terms of
let’s tackle those so in terms of
let’s tackle those so in terms of relationships you want to be using the
relationships you want to be using the
relationships you want to be using the improv techniques giftgiving and yes
improv techniques giftgiving and yes
improv techniques giftgiving and yes anding like I mentioned before these
anding like I mentioned before these
anding like I mentioned before these techniques are about supporting each
techniques are about supporting each
techniques are about supporting each other and making sure that you’re doing
other and making sure that you’re doing
other and making sure that you’re doing selfless acts in order to ensure your
selfless acts in order to ensure your
selfless acts in order to ensure your scene partner or in this case your maybe
scene partner or in this case your maybe
scene partner or in this case your maybe life partner or a new friend really
life partner or a new friend really
life partner or a new friend really feels valued and developing a sort of
feels valued and developing a sort of
feels valued and developing a sort of trust with that and in terms of
trust with that and in terms of
trust with that and in terms of relationships it’s important if you’re
relationships it’s important if you’re
relationships it’s important if you’re having a conflict with whoever you’re in
having a conflict with whoever you’re in
having a conflict with whoever you’re in a relationship with – yes and them so
a relationship with – yes and them so
a relationship with – yes and them so that you can meet on the same page even
that you can meet on the same page even
that you can meet on the same page even if you’re not agreeing with them and all
if you’re not agreeing with them and all
if you’re not agreeing with them and all the points they’re making to make sure
the points they’re making to make sure
the points they’re making to make sure that they feel heard by using that yes
that they feel heard by using that yes
that they feel heard by using that yes and statement another issue that I’ve
and statement another issue that I’ve
and statement another issue that I’ve come across a lot at Brandeis is anxiety
come across a lot at Brandeis is anxiety
come across a lot at Brandeis is anxiety and stress with all the work that we
and stress with all the work that we
and stress with all the work that we have and graduation coming up it’s a
have and graduation coming up it’s a
have and graduation coming up it’s a pretty stressful time to be in but I use
pretty stressful time to be in but I use
pretty stressful time to be in but I use the improv technique of being present to
the improv technique of being present to
the improv technique of being present to really ground myself and meditate on
really ground myself and meditate on
really ground myself and meditate on what is stressing me out and deal with
what is stressing me out and deal with
what is stressing me out and deal with the anxiety that I’m facing so when I
the anxiety that I’m facing so when I
the anxiety that I’m facing so when I have all these assignments or anything
have all these assignments or anything
have all these assignments or anything that’s stressing me out I look around me
that’s stressing me out I look around me
that’s stressing me out I look around me and like I would in an improv scene and
and like I would in an improv scene and
and like I would in an improv scene and picking up the flowers and really
picking up the flowers and really
picking up the flowers and really engaging with everything in my
engaging with everything in my
engaging with everything in my environment and mint in my reality I do
environment and mint in my reality I do
environment and mint in my reality I do the same for real life and just engage
the same for real life and just engage
the same for real life and just engage with everything that I see and think
with everything that I see and think
with everything that I see and think about it in a critical way so that I’m
about it in a critical way so that I’m
about it in a critical way so that I’m not just focusing on what’s stressing me
not just focusing on what’s stressing me
not just focusing on what’s stressing me out
out
out actually therapists and psychologists
actually therapists and psychologists
actually therapists and psychologists throughout Chicago have been engaging in
throughout Chicago have been engaging in
throughout Chicago have been engaging in a study about how anxiety can be coped
a study about how anxiety can be coped
a study about how anxiety can be coped with better through improv and through
with better through improv and through
with better through improv and through the idea of play which I talked about
the idea of play which I talked about
the idea of play which I talked about earlier and they’re having really great
earlier and they’re having really great
earlier and they’re having really great success with therapy in engaging with
success with therapy in engaging with
success with therapy in engaging with different patients who are really
different patients who are really
different patients who are really suffering with this
suffering with this
suffering with this there’s also workshops being held among
there’s also workshops being held among
there’s also workshops being held among prisons in order to engage with inmates
prisons in order to engage with inmates
prisons in order to engage with inmates who need to kind of get this release of
who need to kind of get this release of
who need to kind of get this release of stress out of their system and by
stress out of their system and by
stress out of their system and by engaging in the play that is involved in
engaging in the play that is involved in
engaging in the play that is involved in improv it really helps to liberate their
improv it really helps to liberate their
improv it really helps to liberate their minds so the last problem that I heard a
minds so the last problem that I heard a
minds so the last problem that I heard a bunch of you say graduation which is
bunch of you say graduation which is
bunch of you say graduation which is definitely looming and so are our
definitely looming and so are our
definitely looming and so are our professional careers so in terms of
professional careers so in terms of
professional careers so in terms of networking you might want to think about
networking you might want to think about
networking you might want to think about using yes and and gift-giving because
using yes and and gift-giving because
using yes and and gift-giving because even though you may just want to get
even though you may just want to get
even though you may just want to get that job and you want to win and really
that job and you want to win and really
that job and you want to win and really get it you need to think about what
get it you need to think about what
get it you need to think about what gifts you are offering to that company
gifts you are offering to that company
gifts you are offering to that company or nonprofit or whatever it may be and
or nonprofit or whatever it may be and
or nonprofit or whatever it may be and by giving those gifts and thinking
by giving those gifts and thinking
by giving those gifts and thinking selflessly selflessly you’ll be able to
selflessly selflessly you’ll be able to
selflessly selflessly you’ll be able to yes and your way into a position in
yes and your way into a position in
yes and your way into a position in addition to that companies and as well
addition to that companies and as well
addition to that companies and as well as rescue teams and police groups all
as rescue teams and police groups all
as rescue teams and police groups all over the country are using improv
over the country are using improv
over the country are using improv workshops as a way to take
workshops as a way to take
workshops as a way to take Chris and really make those big choices
Chris and really make those big choices
Chris and really make those big choices in times of crisis and I think that
in times of crisis and I think that
in times of crisis and I think that using that improv approach has really
using that improv approach has really
using that improv approach has really been helpful in times of real stress
been helpful in times of real stress
been helpful in times of real stress where companies or maybe it’s a police
where companies or maybe it’s a police
where companies or maybe it’s a police officer doesn’t exactly know what to do
officer doesn’t exactly know what to do
officer doesn’t exactly know what to do so even though I’m only 22 I’ve really
so even though I’m only 22 I’ve really
so even though I’m only 22 I’ve really taken on this worldview of using my
taken on this worldview of using my
taken on this worldview of using my improv approach and I’m still learning
improv approach and I’m still learning
improv approach and I’m still learning how to deal with all these problems and
how to deal with all these problems and
how to deal with all these problems and how to cope with my career anxiety
how to cope with my career anxiety
how to cope with my career anxiety relationships but using improv has
relationships but using improv has
relationships but using improv has really helped me to expand upon that and
really helped me to expand upon that and
really helped me to expand upon that and overall not take life too seriously so
overall not take life too seriously so
overall not take life too seriously so please go forth and improvise thank you
please go forth and improvise thank you
please go forth and improvise thank you [Applause]
”
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