Improv… More than Just Fun and Games
By Sandra Rockman and Kimberly Ewing
Kimberly Ewing (center) watches as participants in the Nevada County Community Leadership Institute (NCCLI) try out improv.
Hungry for human connection and a need for laughter after a global pandemic, we noticed that few were offering improvisation opportunities in our community. Both of us have a deep love of improv—one taught it for years and the other performed in several improv troupes—so we had the perfect impetus to design a series together. What we didn’t know when we started offering classes is that something deeply magical would happen along the way.
As each class would end, people would stick around afterwards to share stories of why they came. We soon realized that our classes provide more than just laughter for laughter's sake. One of our most dedicated players comes to forget for two hours that they have kidney failure. Another laughs hard to heal her cancer. Another shows up to relieve their grief after the passing of a spouse. A sensory-challenged player comes to master their other senses. The touching stories continue. We had no idea these deeper, more human, reasons were why some come to improv. We just thought we were creating a space for creativity and fun.
The benefits of improv abound. For people with social anxiety, research shows that participating in improv lowers feelings of depression and anxiety and increases feelings of connectedness and hope.
Improv builds confidence and reduces fears of failure. Since there is no script, players learn to trust their instincts and embrace mistakes as opportunities for growth. This mindset shift can lead to a more resilient and positive outlook on life, both personally and professionally.
The playful nature of improv provides a fun, engaging way to relieve stress, making it an excellent outlet for social and emotional wellness. We adore our community of improv players and often seek out ways to see each other socially. Improv is life!
For more information about improv classes, contact Kimberly Ewing at kimberly_ewing@hotmail.com.