Applied Improvisation and Emotional Intelligence

[Caitlin McClure]

Hello all, I've posted some notes and resources regarding the connection between Applied Improv and Emotional Intelligence. This includes:
- some notes on how AI can be used to develop EI
- a brief description of the Intelligent Clay exercise from Banff
- the Real/Ideal questionnaire that can be used to benchmark EI competencies
- the handout I handed out in the workshop with an EI overview
- a very very drafty table showing a possible alignment between certain improv games and EI competencies. This was written for my benefit, so I'm including it here, even in its drafty state, to show thought process more than solid content

Thanks all for a super great workshop. I learned a LOT.

-caitlin

[Caitlin McClure]

Here are the last two uploads.

[Chris Sams]

Caitlin,

I *LOVE* this list of improv games tied to emotional intelligent competencies. I loved it so much I brainstormed my own list. I realize that you didn't ask for this... please let me know if it was an unwanted offer. I've included about 60 new activities/exercises in an email to you. Hopefully you might find some for consideration since it's still in draft form. Cheers!

Chris

[Caitlin McClure]

You rock you rock. How terrific to brainstorm on all of this. Thanks!

[Karen Dawson]

Karen here - the procrastinator. I was going to offer some ideas and thoughts in relation to Caitlin's writing and perhaps I'll do it here so that we continue this conversation. I will add my own two bits worth in.

Chris, is there a way for you to add your brainstorm draft list (Caitlin, I'm loving the term "drafty") and then we play yes, and...

Just clicking into this site after a few weeks of crazy ass travel has me feeling as if I've come home. Big hugs from (very) cold Calgary.

~karen

[Chris Sams]

Hi Karen, this list includes Caitlin's original list plus some more I've added:

Emotional self-awareness
• Silent
• Mirror
• Whoosh
• Intelligent Clay from Banff
• Primal Truth

Accurate self-assessment
• Status Cards Party Scene (2-Ace)

Self confidence
• Circus bow
• Superhero games
• High status games
• Directing scenes
• Expert Interview (Johnstone’s teaching hippos how to knit)
• Just a Minute!
• Academy Awards Presentation
• Game Show / Quiz Show
• Pick Up the Cup

Emotional self-control
• (Bus stop—awareness of changing emotions)
• brain fries
• new choice? Something giving people the choice in how to act to different situations
• emo-rollercoaster
• Mantra scenes
• Road Trip / Hitchhiker

Trustworthiness
• Blind Walks – leading partners with eyes closed
• “No You Didn’t”
• To Tell the Truth – (3 storytellers, 1 real story and truth-teller)

Conscientiousness
• “You!” Pattern / Ball Toss
• Repeating back a story
• Slow Motion Commentary
• Growing Shrinking Machine

Adaptability
• New choice
• Emo-zones
• emo-rollercoaster
• Word at a Time Stories
• Dubbing
• Pillars
• Diamond Dance
• Arms through
• Moving Bodies
• What are You Doing?

Achievement
(includes optimism)
• T-sports competition
• Micetro
• Story Story Die
• Rants
• All games, really
• Scene no “S’s”
• Alphabet Scene
• Statements Only/Questions Only
• X # -word sentences

Initiative (includes innovation)
• Silent Scene / Silent Movie
• Sound Scape / Sound Effects
• NY Madrigal
• Faces / You're fired!
• Late for Work

Empathy
• Mirroring scenes
• Bus stop
• Master servant—be the servant and give your partner what she wants!
• Orlando Monologue
• Rashomon
• Phone Bank / Conducted Story
• Point of View Song
• Tag Team Monologue
• Zen Counting (also called Chaos Counting / Count to 20)

Org. awareness (power/culture)
• Status
• Cargo shoe cult
• Split Scene Focus
• Half Life
• You Pattern
• Ball – Ball

Service orientation
• Stunt Double
• “Enter when scene is tanking / Stay out when it’s going well”
• Musical Hot Spot
• Thank You Poses
• I’m a Tree
• Gift Giving
• Guardian Angel
• Gibberish Poet / Interpreter / Dancer



Developing others
• Not scenes, but learning how to give notes
• Gibberish Translations
• Coaches’ Corners
• Moments of Zen (recap great moments of class/show)
• Positive Feedback circle

Inspirational leadership
• Gibberish scenes?
• Micetro solo scenes: Half-time locker room speech, best man/wedding toast, etc.
• Conducted Orchestra - People as Orchestra
• My Movie, My Movie, My Movie!!

Change catalyst
• New Choice—be the bell ringer
• Emo-Zones—cause the other person to move to a new zone
• Yes, that’s right, I’ll go along with that
• Playbook—be the person off-book
• It’s Tuesday
• Story Spine – But One Day…
• Break the Routine = (Platform to Tilt)
• Stimulus – Response

Influence
• Status
• Yes, that’s right, I’ll go along with that
• Stinky sexy funny
• The chair game
• Arms
• Moving Bodies
• Dubbing
• Please the King

Conflict management
• Gibberish scenes?
• “I see you are…”Ball
• Find the ending
• “Accept partner’s ideas/ Focus on positive”
• Status Switch
• Mirroring

Teamwork and collaboration
• Yes, and
• Arms Through
• Word at a Time Story
• Paired Partner Drawing
• Story in One Voice
• Other team as Props

Building bonds
• If You’ve Ever – Gravitate – Find a Chair (variations)
• Three Things in Common
• C’mere – I’m Outta Here
• Kitty Wants a Corner
• Story Exchange
• Secret Pals (Handshake, Nickname, Password, Signal, Toy Noise)

Communication
• Slips of Paper
• Silent eye contact
• Status
• Gibberish

Systems thinking
• What comes next
• Directed scenes
• Rashomon
• Color Advance Emotion – Narrative Game
• You Pattern / Ball Toss
• Dolphin Training

Pattern recognition
• Enemy defender
• You
• Roshoman scenes
• Convergence
• I’m a Tree
• “Three Things!” (random categories)
• Category Die!
• Follow the Leader (person leaves room enters and has to guess who in the circle is leading the group gesture)

Fun Fun Fun!
Chris

[Caitlin McClure]

Welcome home!

[Drew Tarvin]

Sounds like a fund workshop, I look forward to seeing the materials!

[Chris Sams]

Here are three photos from the session. And there are a dozen or so more if anyone would like them.

[Caitlin McClure]

I want! If you have more of the intelligent clay, that would be great. Thanks, Chris!

[Chris Sams]

Hi, Caitlin. I've now created an album specifically for your workshop. The intelligent clay work was incredible to watch. Thanks again! -Chris

[Chris Sams]

http://appliedimprov.ning.com/photo/albums/emotional-intelligence-clay

Here is the EI Clay album link. Enjoy!

[Caitlin McClure]

Thank you for uploading these photos!