Well-prepared people are lucky people. However, sometimes, we have to face “something that is already done” and deal with it without a plan, thus improvising. Improvisation is a magical thing that not only actors use in shows but also we do in our conversations and relationships.
Practically, improvisation is an important skill for everyday life. As psychologist Dušan Fábik says, it is one of the aspects of our creativity that responds to stimuli. He distinguishes among different types of improvisation. For example, the “ubiquitous” one in a job interview: “Without specific training, we formulate ideas and give them a verbal form.” He associates improvisation with talent. A spontaneous performance, “which is only possible if we have a well-managed topic within the improvised area. It’s a combination of mastery and intuition.”
Hon Chong, the artistic director of the Funnylicious Improv Theatre, which also organizes improvisation courses, perceives improvision as the art of creating something spontaneously without prior preparation. He looks at it through the experience of theater improvisation. The beauty of improvisation lies in revealing human nature’s creative and spontaneous aspects, which lead to authentic and often humorous moments.”
The psychologist mentions specific research findings, showing a connection between our temperament and our ability to improvise. For example, extroversion suggests that a choleric or a sanguine can improvise more easily. However, there are more important characteristics than this. We must have faith in our abilities and be open to new experiences.”
According to Chong, we can improvise when solving problems, making decisions, or communicating with each other. We can better respond to unexpected situations thanks to improvisation, and we are more effective and positive. Each of us has, to some extent, innate improvisational abilities. It is a natural part of human interaction. However, they can also be developed. “Improvisation classes are an excellent way to do so. They provide a supportive environment to experiment, take risks, and learn from feedback. In addition, the practice of ‘presence’ and active listening will help you strengthen that daily improvisation for everyday life. ”
Chong also mentions various improvisation techniques—one of the most common being active listening. The basic principle is “Yes, and …” when it is necessary to perceive your partners’ ideas and build on them. Another technique is working with an object, including a pantomime. It is complemented by an emotional commitment when we fully accept the emotions of a character or situation, such as in acting. Early pioneers and improvisation teachers such as Viola Spolin, Keith Johnstone, and Del Close shaped and perfected these techniques. Their work has laid the foundations for modern improvisation theatre and continues to inspire and influence how we approach improvisation in our theatre improvisation courses.”
Klaudia Rusnák is part of the theatre improvisation group Funnylicious. For her, the sessions are turning off her rational brain. She lets herself be carried away by the moment. “It is a getaway from all daily distractions. It’s also a humorous genre we should all include in our lives.” Her colleague Peter Plochan feels the same way: “It’s all humor, laughter, and that’s the most important thing for me. I know that we will always have fun spontaneously as children.” Both agree that the uniqueness of individual activities gives the multiculturalism of the group and the diversity of the environment from which individuals come. We could say that this diversity is the “spices, salt, and sugar” of their performances.
Text: Eva Vašková, photo: pexels.com
