Spreading the Transforming Power of Improvisation

Improv for Children

I am new to the world of delivering improv to children and would love some tips on which games to incorporate, how to start connecting with school boards. If anyone is currently offering this kind of programming, I would love to connect and find out more about what you do. I'm the Chicago area.

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Permalink Reply by Jolene Fehler on February 7, 2008 at 11:59am: Thanks Shawn, that is super helpful.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Shawn Kinley on February 6, 2008 at 2:18am: Hi Jolene...
Loose Moose Theatre has a branch that has done childrens impro shows for over 25 years (started by Keith Johnstone). They are structured but give the kids opputunities to make decesions at moral points in the show.

On another path, I've been doing workshops in schools amongst other places for many years and always use impro games, structures and philosophies to guide the direction. (maybe a little like you are talking about?) It really depends on the age level of the kids and the comfort level of teahers. I have dealt with some schools who are so reluctant to do anything without 100% structure that they ruin the idea of true education.

I don't teach a lot differnetly for corporate people, Actors or kids, I just gear the focus towards their needs. Young kids are fearless in their ideas but entirely unstructured so rudimentary story telling games are good (ie What comes next) - and physical stuff as well. By the time you get to grade 4, 5, and 6 they need more challenge in WHY they are doing what they are doing. They like the internal workings of impro and how it relates to their every day world. Showing them Status work and getting them to relate to that as they see their teachers and parents and friends is succesful.

Cooperation games at that level are really good too like Word at a Time or Speaking in One Voice (although the latter is probably best for the older kids). Various levels need different areas of impro and they benefit from it in their own ways.

For me, the best thing is to watch them and adjust to what the class and individuals need. Sometimes an inspired moment in teaching leads to a new game that addresses what is going on in the moment.
Hope that helps...
shawn; ▶ Reply to This