What if the thing we call art is just something humans learned to take seriously after we got too old to call it play? A toddler grabs a crayon when she’s upset and starts scribbling. A teenager puts on headphones and disappears into a song. An exhausted lawyer takes a weeklong music class and suddenly…
Tag: play
BEEP! MEEP! It’s Not What You Say: Chuck Jones and the Hidden Architecture of Comedy
With the release of Coyote vs. Acme, the creator of its title character has been at the forefront of my mind. Chuck Jones is a comedy legend and he knew something that takes some comedians a lifetime to figure out. The man who gave us Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, and Wile E. Coyote, who crafted…
The Improviser’s Job: The Three (or 4) Parts of a Great Improviser
I often think of the improviser’s job as consisting of three different parts, but using those three parts, you then must do a fourth thing, so maybe it’s really four? I’ll let you be the judge. In my opinion (and it’s just my opinion), an individual improviser is simultaneously a writer, an actor, and a director, but they…
SILLY IS SERIOUS
I taught an improv workshop this week called “Silly is Serious.” I thought of the title before I thought through the concept, but it was rooted in idea that to allow yourself to be silly is important. In my many years of teaching improv and circus arts, I have noticed that it can be quite challenging…
(try not to) SAY SOMETHING FUNNY!
I’m guessing it happens to every improviser at least once, and if you’re anything like me it happens a hell of a lot more than that: you’re on stage with a scene partner or two and you’re waiting for your turn to talk and you’re ready to talk because you thought of something to say…
Object Work in Improv
Object work: the oft overlooked and under-practiced piece of the fully armed improv arsenal. So many improv scenes, especially in an improviser’s beginner years, are what I call, “talking head scenes.” The two players in the scene usually stand 2-3 feet apart near the middle of the stage and proceed to have a conversation. All…
Improv Books – My Recommendations
The Classics When I first started doing improv, these were pretty much the only books out there. They have their uses, but they are most interesting to me as historical perspective. The History The Practical Guides These are the books that I refer back to the most when I feel stuck in a rut. Some…
Meditation as Play: The Playful Path to Profound Meditation
Meditation, often seen as a solemn and serious practice, is a journey within ourselves. In the quest for spiritual growth and emotional balance, we often forget that our minds are capable of playful exploration. The idea of approaching meditation as a game may seem contradictory to the conventional image of serenity and stillness, but it…
Tag! You’re it!: Why Teachers and Adults Should Join in Tag Games
We all know that play is an essential part of childhood. It’s how kids learn, develop social skills, and have fun. However, when it comes to games like tag, many adults often find themselves on the sidelines, watching kids run and laugh. But what if I told you that teachers and adults can reap numerous…
The Transformative Power of Improv: Your Ticket to a More Vibrant Life
In a world where the days blend together and digital screens dictate our interactions, we all crave something more. Something that breaks the routine, forges deeper connections, and lights the fire of personal growth. Enter the world of improvisational comedy, or improv, an extraordinary journey waiting for anyone willing to take the leap. You don’t…