Improv training isn’t just about making people laugh or creating spontaneous scenes on stage—it’s also a powerful tool for developing life skills. But what exactly is improv, and how does it foster growth in both art and life?
In this post, I’ll explore five core tenets that guide the art of theatrical improvisation. These principles not only make improv fun and creatively stimulating but also help to build essential life skills. Along the way, two fictional improv students, Sky and Ibidi, will show us what happens when these tenets are both ignored and embraced.
1. Yes, and...
One of the most foundational rules of improv is the "Yes, and..." approach. This principle encourages performers to accept whatever idea or statement is presented ("Yes") and then build upon it ("and"). In life, this translates to open-mindedness and constructive collaboration.
Negative Example
Sky: “Look! It’s a dragon coming out of that cave!”
Ibidi: “No, that’s not a dragon, it’s a spaceship.”
Here, Ibidi shuts down Sky’s idea, stopping the scene’s momentum and limiting their creative options.
Positive Example
Sky: “Look! It’s a dragon coming out of that cave!”
Ibidi: “Yes, and it looks like it’s guarding a treasure—we’ll have to be careful!”
Now, Ibidi accepts the idea and builds on it, opening up more possibilities for the scene.
Life skill: Collaboration and adaptability. Learning to build on ideas rather than rejecting them outright fosters a growth mindset and helps us see that sometimes the best ideas have humble beginnings–but if we don’t allow them to grow, we won’t see their result!
2. Act and React
Improv thrives on spontaneity and unscripted moments. There’s no time to overthink—actors must commit to their choices in real-time. Similarly, in life, we’re often faced with situations that require quick decisions and action.
Negative Example
Sky: (pauses for a long time, unsure how to continue)
Ibidi: “Are you going to say something? We’re just standing here.”
Here the two players are stuck: without trusting each other to begin, they remain stuck in the moment before action. Sky hesitates, perhaps thinking about something interesting or funny to say. Sky’s hesitation disrupts the flow of the scene, creating awkwardness and slowing progress.
Positive Example
Sky: (hesitates)
Ibidi: (reacting to what is happening, to support Sky, holding a mimed phone) “I know this is difficult, but do you see a red wire? You’re going to use the clippers in your hand to clip that wire. You got this”
Sky: (begins to mime the clippers and slowly moves forward)
Ibidi reacts to what is happening (Sky’s paralysis) and immediately makes something react quickly to the situation, moving the scene forward. By not worrying about if what is happening is “right” they quickly find a scene to play out. Often, our attempts to filter and perfect ourselves prevents us from moving forward with with energy and commitment. There are no mistakes, just gifts!
Life skill: Decisiveness and confidence. Improv helps us become more comfortable with uncertainty and teaches us how to keep moving forward even when the outcome is unknown.
3. Make Your Partner Look Good
Improv isn’t about standing out or stealing the spotlight. It’s about collaboration and ensuring that everyone on stage shines. By supporting and enhancing the ideas of others, we create a stronger, more cohesive performance.
Negative Example
Sky: “Here, let me heal your wounds.”
Ibidi: “I don’t need healing! I’m invincible, remember?”
Ibidi’s response undermines Sky’s contribution and makes it difficult to collaborate effectively.
Positive Example
Sky: “Here, let me heal your wounds.”
Ibidi: “Thanks, I was starting to feel weak. Your magic always works wonders!”
Ibidi’s response not only acknowledges Sky’s contribution but builds them up, helping both characters shine.
Life skill: Empathy and teamwork. Focusing on making others look good builds trust, strengthens relationships, and fosters a culture of support in both personal and professional settings. And importantly, this is an important way that “yes, and” -ing allows us to work with each other!
4. Be Vulnerable
Improv strips away the safety of scripts and prepared roles, requiring participants to draw from their own experiences and emotions. Being vulnerable means embracing who you are, flaws and all, and bringing that authenticity into your performance.
Negative Example
Sky: “I’m worried we might not make it out alive.”
Ibidi: “Nah, I’m not scared of anything.” (said dismissively, without emotion)
Ibidi’s refusal to engage with vulnerability shuts down the opportunity for deeper emotional connection in the scene.
Positive Example
Sky: “I’m worried we might not make it out alive.”
Ibidi: (softly) “Yeah… I’m scared too. But we’ll figure something out, right?”
Here, Ibidi embraces vulnerability, deepening the emotional stakes of the scene and creating a more compelling interaction. This allows a real connection to flourish, where before the scene was played for laughs and kept shallow.
Life skill: Authenticity and emotional intelligence. Being willing to be open and honest is key to developing trust and meaningful connections, whether at work or in our personal lives.
5. There Are No Mistakes
One of the most liberating aspects of improv is its embrace of mistakes. In this art form, there’s no such thing as failure—only opportunities to take whatever happens and turn it into something useful for the scene.
Negative Example
Sky: “Wait, I thought we were fighting a dragon, not a spaceship. You messed up!”
Ibidi: “Yeah, I don’t know what I was thinking. This scene is ruined.”
Pointing out mistakes and fixating on them stalls the scene and diminishes the fun.
Positive Example
Sky: “Wait… is that a dragon inside the spaceship? What is going on here?”
Ibidi: “Exactly! It’s a dragon that flies spaceships—we’re in for trouble!”
Rather than dwelling on the mix-up, Sky and Ibidi turn it into an opportunity for humor and creativity.
Life skill: Resilience and problem-solving. Improv teaches us to adapt, learn from setbacks, and find creative solutions to problems, helping us develop a positive attitude toward life's unpredictability.
By practicing these tenets of improv, not only do we become better performers, but we also build vital life skills that help us navigate the world with confidence, empathy, and creativity. Whether on stage or off, improv offers a dynamic way to unlock personal growth and strengthen our ability to connect with others.
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