Improv as refuge in dark times

His last term was bad for most people (yes even the ones who voted for him). This time around he has less checks and balances. It told my children I can’t say everything’s going to be OK. It’s going to get worse. Heartbreaking.

We have to make it better.

Little acts of light add up and shine through the darkness. Art has always been a part of humans. For some art is a hobby, or profession. For some it’s a refuge from the world. I’m casting a wide net with the term art. Anything you do to create something is art. 

Gardener? Painter? Writer? YouTuber?

All artists in my eyes. 

I’ve been practicing improv comedy for years. It’s art and a refuge for me. With improv, you have to shake off your day, focus only on the moment, and create something with your partner(s). 

That thing you create only exists once. It cant be perfectly replicated later. Something created by people, together, that lasts as long as it lasts. 

It’s refuge for me, as I feel the same after an improv performance as I do after a meditation, especially a walking one. Shutting out everything, focusing only on the moment, then emerging back to reality. It’s really a wild ride, lol. 

Everyone I’ve met through improv has been an interesting person. Everyone. Kind, too. Some folks with big energy, others quieter. All kind and generous people. Inclusive and able to define boundaries for safety well. 

Improv has conflict. 

You have to remember everything you’ve learned about performing, and clear your mind so you can focus on the moment. That’s hard. I love it.

While improvising one must play a character, a made up person, and try to have authentic relations with the other characters. That’s where the empathy and humor come from. So, pretend to be someone else, with another person who is pretending to be someone else and have a real exchange with them. 

It’s challenging and part of the refuge. To go outside yourself and explore, then come back in and maybe learn from the experience. 

Practicing Improv helps build skills in creativity, communication, uncertainty tolerance. I should could use more of all that, especially the latter.

I write all this as a way to create a little light in my dark day.

If you’ve read this far, thanks. There’s an improv jam tonight in Newmarket NH. It’s free and there isn’t an audience. Just improvisers practicing (some very experienced, some first timers, and everything in between). Maybe taking refuge, connecting with others and having some laughs. 

After the Jam is an improv show. I’ll be performing in it with my classmates. Come for the jam and get free tickets to the show. Or come to the show to see what this is all about. 

Either way, all are welcome in Improv. 

Details and tickets here: https://www.stfimprov.com/event-details/open-improv-jam-student-showcase-2024-11-07-19-00