As a parent, there might be a seemingly endless list of extracurriculars to sign your children up for, and might be thinking: Of all of these options, why should I sign my child up for improv?
Contrary to popular belief, we are not training your children to become the next best stand-up comedian.
Through our curriculum based in a combination of play and humor, we are building fundamental soft skills that your child will take with them throughout their academic careers and into their professional lives. Improv does not have the traditional markers of success in other after-school activities such as a trophy, or medal.
Rather, achievement in improv is measured by intangible assets, such as self-confidence, communication, collaboration, and resilience, which will impress any future college admissions officer or job recruiter.
Achievement in improv is measured by intangible assets, such as self-confidence, communication, collaboration, and resilience
When it comes to picking an afterschool activity for your middle and high school aged children, we know that you are overwhelmed with the amount of choices. You want to expose your children to new experiences, ideas, and perspectives beyond their everyday home and school lives in a safe and supportive learning environment. You also want the needed stability and a foundation for success in school that after-school activities can provide. Our after-school improv program develops the skills that are found in the most popular extracurricular activities such as arts, chess, debate, foreign languages, sports, and STEM.
Our after-school improv program develops the skills that are found in the most popular extracurricular activities such as arts, chess, debate, foreign languages, sports, and STEM.
ACTIVE LISTENING: Students achieve more when they actively listen to one another
and build upon each other’s ideas. Active listening requires students to be present and is
a key component of meaningful relationships and effective collaboration. It is important
not only to listen but also to demonstrate to the speaker that they are listening. Improv
creates a mindset of general agreement with the idea being offered and shows students
that they are many ways to accept another’s contribution.
Improv shows students the importance of give and take and knowing when to contribute effectively
COLLABORATION: By listening and building upon one another, students can develop and deepen relationships with those around them. Improv shows students the importance of give and take and knowing when to contribute effectively. Improv teaches students to cheer for each other and save others when something goes wrong. Students also learn that being a great team player means making others look good, so everyone looks good, and they can accomplish more by working together.
SPEAKING PUBLICLY WITH CONFIDENCE: To be an effective communicator, students must be persuasive and engaging storytellers. Successful storytelling is vivid in
the details and paints a clear and cohesive picture. Improv focuses on authenticity and structure in storytelling techniques. Students learn to trust themselves and project confidence (even when they do not feel confident) by being spontaneous and building upon something that may seem strange, wacky, or challenging.
RESILIENCE: Improv builds resilience by teaching students to not only accept reality,
but how to react to it appropriately and constructively. Improv shows that uncertainty is
not scary and demonstrates how rewarding it can be to be present in the moment and
adapting to situations as they come. Students learn that things will not always turn out
they way they anticipate or want. In improv, there are no mistakes, only opportunities for
growth. Improv fosters a supportive environment that encourages students to be honest
and vulnerable.
If we offer after-school improv at your child's school - we would love to see your kids sign up! And if we're not - we would still encourage you to sign your child up for kids' improv. Reach out if you are looking for recommendations :)