Spreading the Transforming Power of Improvisation
April 2009 newsletter 3
Welcome again to the Applied Improvisation Network newsletter. We had an absolutely great conference in Tokyo (Japan) and gathered some reactions from all over the world. In the meantime, the organization team of AIN Portland is already working hard for the conference in November. All this information and many more (we got some very interesting articles from some members) in this newsletter. We don't want to overwhelm you with long articles, so you will find the first lines here and if you're interested in the whole story, just follow the link. Enjoy reading - we look forward to meeting you on the site. The newsletter team
Topics
+ AIN Conference Tokyo: How did a person from the US, the Netherlands and Finland experience the conference
+ Stuff from the site (new features, latest activities, ...)
+ AIN Conference Portland
+ Impro writings
+ The Chain part 3: Yael Schy interviews Raffi Feghali
+ Why Improv Is Absolutely Essential
+ Overview of next month’s activities
AIN Conference Tokyo: How did a person from the US, the Netherlands and Finland experience the conference
The ASIA AIN conference took place in March and was a big success. We interviewed three people from different cultures to hear their experience of the conference - Yael Schy from Oakland (US), Joost Kadijk from the Netherlands and Tomi Välimaa from Finland.
Answers Yael Schy
+ What is the biggest difference between the Japanese culture and your own culture?
Japanese culture is very polite and unassuming, as contrasted with the assertiveness of American culture. Americans doing business with Japanese clients need to be aware of this.
+ What was a special moment for you?
The tea ceremony closing the conference was amazing! Lou was beautiful in her Kimono, and I was very honored that she shared a piece of her traditional culture with us.
+ Describe the workshop you liked most?
During the first 2 days of the conference, most of the presenters were Westerners. However, during the Open Space day, one of the Japanese participants, Mari, taught a wonderful teambuilding game called "Monster Seat." I loved the fact that she felt confident enough to share her game, despite the language barrier, and I learned a great deal from it. I also very much appreciated the fact that several conference participants who are bilingual in English and Japanese graciously volunteered their time to provide translation during the conference sessions.
+ Did you visit something outside the conference? What and did you like it?
I came to Japan several days before the conference, and I stayed several days afterwards. I got do do some sightseeing in Tokyo, including seeing cherry blossoms in bloom and witnessing an amazing "Golden Dragon Parade" at a temple. I also loved the open air art museum and hot springs at Hakone that we went to with Lou for the before conference excursion. Finally, I had the opportunity to spend 3 days in Kyoto, which was absolutely gorgeous!
+ Describe your experience of AIN Asia in 3 sentences
I loved having the opportunity to meet so many Japanese participants, most of whom were new to applied improvisation, and to share ideas with them. I'm also very happy that my friends from Taiwan were able to attend the conference, and provide a different Asian perspective. I hope that there will now be an Asian region of AIN, including even more countries and cultures, with periodic regional meetings, to keep the momentum started by the conference going!
Answers Tomi Välimaa
+ What was the most amazing thing you've seen on the conference?
It was on Saturday night when all the conference guest were dancing and singing their hearts out in the karaoke venue. The feeling of unity and truly breaking down any language or other barriers was amazing.
+ What is the biggest difference between the Japanese culture and you own culture?
I would say the language; grammatically, semantically (literate meaning) and pragmatically (context-sensitive meaning). For example, how an expression is constructed in Japanese can very different from Finnish, or any western language. The Japanese language also seems to depend highly on context, which adds to the challenge of learning the language. Not to mention the way of writing it combining both Chinese and other (Japanese?) characters.
+ What was a special moment for you?
On Saturday seeing all the wonderful performances the conference guests had created with very little time for preparation. My guess is that they must have been improvising some of the content....hiihii..
+ Describe the workshop you liked most?
I have no "one favourite", really really. For example, in the open space "Team-building games", Mari shared a genious exercise "Monster seat" that was fun and simple as a game and also involved many and complex insights into group behaviour, interaction and strategies used. It was all very inspiring and gave something that I will definitely apply in my work later on. Thank you for sharing that, Mari!
+ What is a difference between improv in Japan and your country?
It seems that for example Japanese people might be more clear about the concept of status compared to Finns due to the clearer status hierarchy seen in everyday life in Japan. Thus, it may be easier for the Japanese also to act out different statuses, and we saw a beautiful example of it performed by some of the Japanese conference guests in one of the workshops...was it Nerida's and Raymond's on Thursday? Sorry for my poor memory, am not sure as I lost my notes on Saturday evening! :)
+ Tell me something about the participants?
International, open-minded, strong local participation, fun, respectful, friendly, honest, sharing, curious, playful and hopefully attending future conferences, as well.
+ What words have you heard the most?
We created a few words for the conference... "Luuu" for smiling, "yahihaa!" for laughing and I'm very happy to say that the Finnish word "lämpimämpi", meaning "warmer", was used for expressing warmth, hugging and closeness, especially when photos were taken :)
+ Did you visit something outside the conference? What and did you like it?
I visited with some other conference guests for example Ueno Park - a huge beautiful park with cherry blossoms!
Hakone outdoor museum - interesting sculptures (one of which you can climb into!) and an outdoor footbath with floating oranges and lemon that you can throw to splash the water (or what else could they have been there for?)
An onsen (hotspring) spa with outdoor pools!
Tokyo tower - great view, white and orange and 333 metres high.
Asakusa temple area - amazing aesthetics and architecture and lots of insents. Did get only bad luck from the fortune sticks, however. I'm doomed...
And many many wonderful restaurants!
+ Describe your experience of AIN Asia in 3 sentences
The week on the whole was an eye-opener to the Japanese culture and to many other, especially Asian, cultures. I was very happy to share and learn from the others not only AI-related ideas but also the way people live their lives in different countries. I am happy and proud of that we all made the first AIN Asia conference come true and look forward to the coming up events in Asia later on.
Answers Joost Kadijk
+What was the most amazing thing you've seen on the conference?
Totally different cultures working and playing together, having real interest in each other.
+ What is the biggest difference between the Japanese culture and your own culture?
Japanese people are fond of rituals and are refined in their manners. We (Dutch) are more upfront.
+ What was a special moment for you?
The closing tea ceremony.
+ Describe the workshop you liked most?
Improv and cultural differences, by Tomi and Kerstin.
+ What is a difference between improv in Japan and your country?
Japanese like singing more than we do (karaoke!)
+ Tell me something about the participants?
Very enthusiastic and open minded. Many Japanese.
+ What words have you heard the most?
Hai, yes and..
+ Did you visit something outside the conference? What and did you like it?
Roppongi Hills, imperial gardens, Tokyo is a wonderfull city. I loved it and I really want to go back there.
+ Describe your experience of AIN Asia in 3 sentences
Intense, warm, welcoming, cultureshock.
Stuff from the site
821 people have already joined the AIN site, isn't that great. Further, we have 38 local and theme groups; the Discussion Forum is going very well. Check out here the latest information:
+ The Discussion Forum - (for example, have a look at the AI work opportunities or join the discussion about a successful business) - http://appliedimprov.ning.com/forum
+ Invite some friends - do you know people who are also working in the Applied Improv domain - http://appliedimprov.ning.com/main/invitation/new
+ Do an advanced search to find partnerships in a certain area - http://appliedimprov.ning.com/profiles/members/advancedSearch
+ Spotlight on the newest information - http://appliedimprov.ning.com/
+ And we've got a great reaction of Talia Shafir who found the member-map very interesting. Here's her reaction: "Yesterday, after a long hiatus, I checked out the site, since I received an email from AIN. When I placed myself on the world member map, I found another tiny blue box representing an AIN member practically on top of my box. It turns out the member lives right near me (Duh!) and has a psychology background and wants to hook up with improv folks. I know I can help her connect, not just with my improv theater group, but with a number of active groups. And, I am excited about the possibility of working with her in developing the my workshop repetoire to be able to create the therapeutic slant I desire. I left a message for her by clicking on her name on the map. I hope she will be interested in collaborating."
And here are some FAQs for the people who don't know the site very well. Leif Hansen is doing a great job to help to find your way around - http://appliedimprov.ning.com/notes/AIN_Site_Video_Tutorials.
Impro Writings
Our project to gather and publish case studies of applied improvisation is moving forward. The idea is to build up a compelling collection of applications of improvisation by AIN members, to inspire and inform each other and also to appeal to potential clients. You can find the results of the case study survey (http://appliedimprov.ning.com/group/bookofcasestudies/forum/topics/...). There’s still time for you to add more cases, or volunteer to interview or be interviewed if you wish.
The list will be available on http://appliedimprov.ning.com/note /Case_Study_Collection under Resources.
There’s a great new list of books that have useful information for applied improvisers – including several written by AIN members: http://appliedimprov.ning.com/notes/Impro_books_in_English. You can now find this list under "Resources"
Please add comments or titles that we have missed in the Group discussions. For lively discussions about particular books - http://appliedimprov.ning.com/group/chicagoain2008improvbusinesslit...
And thanks to Frederique Thiriet-Smith and Katherine for compiling a list of articles about applied improvisation and related topics. http://appliedimprov.ning.com/notes/Impro_Reading_list. The ones marked ‘AI’ are probably the most directly connected to our work. There’s still scope for more articles to be added, or to put a comment next to those that you have found useful (or otherwise).
Why Improv Is Absolutely Essential (by Greg Hohn)
“I hate imagination,” the woman growled at me during an innocuous exercise in an Applied Improv program I was leading. I wasn’t expecting that. I’d never heard anyone say that ever, much less in one of the hundreds of course and workshop sessions I’ve facilitated.
A bit stunned, the most appropriate response I could come up with was something like, “Well, that’s a choice and you have the right to make it…”
“That’s right,” the woman interjected. I continued, “I have chosen to integrate imagination into my life as much as possible and I’ve found it has made for a successful and fulfilling career and a happy life outside of work. But that’s just my choice."
If anyone ever tells me he or she hates imagination again though, I’m going to be loaded for bear.
“So I guess you hate Gandhi and Jesus and Einstein and Martin Luther King, Jr. and anyone who has tried to make the world a better place,” I might retort. My intention isn’t going to be to hurt feelings but to ask why. Why do you hate imagination? What do you have that’s so much better that makes you want to hate? Of course, I’m not really going to have to say anything because I’m already saying it. Indeed, I am indebted to the woman who hates imagination because she made me realize just how important it is.
Imagination, I contend, is nothing less than the heart of civilization, of social evolution. Of course, imagination as the soul of art is a familiar concept to most people. Painting, writing, musical composition, choreography—it all revolves around the artist’s vision. For many adults, imagination is artistry and that is this woman’s objection to it; she’s just not comfortable being artistic. But let’s look at people like King, Jesus, and Gandhi. What were they all about? Justice, I say. Justice is fairness. Fairness is doing what’s right not only for yourself but for others as well. And how can you escape the cold boundaries of self-interest? With imagination! You’ve got to imagine yourself in the other guy’s shoes. And when you imagine yourself in someone else’s situation, you find yourself feeling compassion. It’s the step beyond justice—not just doing what is right by others but also treating them as you would yourself. In addition, true communication demands that you imagine your message as others might see it and imagine yourself making the messages of others.
Uh-oh, touchy-feely alert! Let’s bring this back down to earth a bit. What about businesspeople? They've heard that imagination is good for them but is it in anything other than a 'soft,' intangible way? Well, problem solving is a pretty solid, no-frills skill and it relies on imagination. How? You’ve got a situation you don’t like. In order to change it, you must conceive of what might make it better and how you might effect that change. Imagination is at the heart of solving problems. Innovation is imagining a new and better way to do things and it is the by-product of the creative process. Managing and motivating people requires imagination because the manager has to get an idea for what it's like to be the one managed and what's going to work from that perspective. Even the scientific process relies on imagination. A hypothesis must be imagined that will be subsequently proven or disproved. Data is collected but how will that data be organized? Once again, imagination must be summoned; data will not just arrange themselves.
When you consider that the evolution of homo sapiens has rested upon problem solving, innovation, and paying close attention each other, I feel one can state that civilization and progress are the product of applying imagination to the assumption that people can create something greater than biology alone dictates (an assumption that in itself requires imagination). Perhaps imagination resides in our genes. Okay, the dead horse has been beaten. What next?
If you are convinced of the importance of imagination—if you trust that imagination should not be hated—how do you go about developing and using your imagination? Same way you get to Carnegie Hall: practice, practice, practice. Artistic disciplines give participants an opportunity to exercise their creative and imaginative muscles. Just as with actual physiological muscles, the more these muscles are exercised, the stronger and more ready for use they become.
Improvisation is an ideal artistic discipline for developing and using imagination for many reasons, including that it can be done in groups and that little preparation or technical expertise is required to do it (at least if you’re not asking people to pay to see it). You get a group of people with nothing but their minds and bodies and you let them create and magic can happen. It’s fun. You get to know each other. Unexpected things transpire. Once imagination is welcomed into the process, even if it is simply by doing some improv exercises, suddenly you have the tool you most need to solve problems, to create and innovate, to communicate, and to adapt and evolve.
There, I said it: Improv can save the world.
More articles from Greg Hohn - http://transactors.org/
Announcement AIN Conference Portland
The next big AIN conference will take place in Troutdale, Oregon. All info + registration at http://appliedimprov.ning.com/group/ain2009portlandor
The Chain part 3: Yael Schy interviews Raffi Feghali
1. Describe yourself in 16 words.
Why 16? Why not 15 or 17? Here we go: loud, hyper, attempting to be funny, easy going, peaceful, passionate, percussionist, trainer, facilitator, actor, always busy
2. Where were you when you first experienced improv, and what was your reaction?
On stage - I forgot my lines in a scripted play and I had to improvise. I was horrified, especially about what I had just done to the other actors and I was hoping they would be able to pick it up and they did! I was extremely happy and it's one of my best memories on stage till now.
3. What's your favorite improv exercise?
I really can't choose just one! Any exercise that has improv in it goes for me!
4. How do you use improv in your Peacebuilding work?
I use improv as a training tool for peacebuilding, mainly. I'm also still in the process of exploring all the possible ways I can use improv, but I'm thinking of themed shows and improvised street theater (closer to image theater) as activities within our campaigns. I'm sure there are a lot of other ways as well, so I'm working towards that.
5. What do you most want to get out of being an AIN member?
Resources, collaborations, chances to perform in other cities and most of all, help in starting my training business (of course, that uses only improv to train)
Overview of next activities
+ April 18 - Creative Jolt Weekend - North Vancouver
+ April 18 - Celebrity Theatresports - Melbourne (Australia)
+ April 21-24 - Conference ' Performance Arts Training Today' - Bovec (Slovenia)
+ July 27 - August 7 - Loose Moose Summer School - Calgary (Canada)
+ November 12-15 - AIN Conference Portland
Check out http://appliedimprov.ning.com/events for all events
Topics
+ AIN Conference Tokyo: How did a person from the US, the Netherlands and Finland experience the conference
+ Stuff from the site (new features, latest activities, ...)
+ AIN Conference Portland
+ Impro writings
+ The Chain part 3: Yael Schy interviews Raffi Feghali
+ Why Improv Is Absolutely Essential
+ Overview of next month’s activities
AIN Conference Tokyo: How did a person from the US, the Netherlands and Finland experience the conference
The ASIA AIN conference took place in March and was a big success. We interviewed three people from different cultures to hear their experience of the conference - Yael Schy from Oakland (US), Joost Kadijk from the Netherlands and Tomi Välimaa from Finland.
Answers Yael Schy
+ What is the biggest difference between the Japanese culture and your own culture?
Japanese culture is very polite and unassuming, as contrasted with the assertiveness of American culture. Americans doing business with Japanese clients need to be aware of this.
+ What was a special moment for you?
The tea ceremony closing the conference was amazing! Lou was beautiful in her Kimono, and I was very honored that she shared a piece of her traditional culture with us.
+ Describe the workshop you liked most?
During the first 2 days of the conference, most of the presenters were Westerners. However, during the Open Space day, one of the Japanese participants, Mari, taught a wonderful teambuilding game called "Monster Seat." I loved the fact that she felt confident enough to share her game, despite the language barrier, and I learned a great deal from it. I also very much appreciated the fact that several conference participants who are bilingual in English and Japanese graciously volunteered their time to provide translation during the conference sessions.
+ Did you visit something outside the conference? What and did you like it?
I came to Japan several days before the conference, and I stayed several days afterwards. I got do do some sightseeing in Tokyo, including seeing cherry blossoms in bloom and witnessing an amazing "Golden Dragon Parade" at a temple. I also loved the open air art museum and hot springs at Hakone that we went to with Lou for the before conference excursion. Finally, I had the opportunity to spend 3 days in Kyoto, which was absolutely gorgeous!
+ Describe your experience of AIN Asia in 3 sentences
I loved having the opportunity to meet so many Japanese participants, most of whom were new to applied improvisation, and to share ideas with them. I'm also very happy that my friends from Taiwan were able to attend the conference, and provide a different Asian perspective. I hope that there will now be an Asian region of AIN, including even more countries and cultures, with periodic regional meetings, to keep the momentum started by the conference going!
Answers Tomi Välimaa
+ What was the most amazing thing you've seen on the conference?
It was on Saturday night when all the conference guest were dancing and singing their hearts out in the karaoke venue. The feeling of unity and truly breaking down any language or other barriers was amazing.
+ What is the biggest difference between the Japanese culture and you own culture?
I would say the language; grammatically, semantically (literate meaning) and pragmatically (context-sensitive meaning). For example, how an expression is constructed in Japanese can very different from Finnish, or any western language. The Japanese language also seems to depend highly on context, which adds to the challenge of learning the language. Not to mention the way of writing it combining both Chinese and other (Japanese?) characters.
+ What was a special moment for you?
On Saturday seeing all the wonderful performances the conference guests had created with very little time for preparation. My guess is that they must have been improvising some of the content....hiihii..
+ Describe the workshop you liked most?
I have no "one favourite", really really. For example, in the open space "Team-building games", Mari shared a genious exercise "Monster seat" that was fun and simple as a game and also involved many and complex insights into group behaviour, interaction and strategies used. It was all very inspiring and gave something that I will definitely apply in my work later on. Thank you for sharing that, Mari!
+ What is a difference between improv in Japan and your country?
It seems that for example Japanese people might be more clear about the concept of status compared to Finns due to the clearer status hierarchy seen in everyday life in Japan. Thus, it may be easier for the Japanese also to act out different statuses, and we saw a beautiful example of it performed by some of the Japanese conference guests in one of the workshops...was it Nerida's and Raymond's on Thursday? Sorry for my poor memory, am not sure as I lost my notes on Saturday evening! :)
+ Tell me something about the participants?
International, open-minded, strong local participation, fun, respectful, friendly, honest, sharing, curious, playful and hopefully attending future conferences, as well.
+ What words have you heard the most?
We created a few words for the conference... "Luuu" for smiling, "yahihaa!" for laughing and I'm very happy to say that the Finnish word "lämpimämpi", meaning "warmer", was used for expressing warmth, hugging and closeness, especially when photos were taken :)
+ Did you visit something outside the conference? What and did you like it?
I visited with some other conference guests for example Ueno Park - a huge beautiful park with cherry blossoms!
Hakone outdoor museum - interesting sculptures (one of which you can climb into!) and an outdoor footbath with floating oranges and lemon that you can throw to splash the water (or what else could they have been there for?)
An onsen (hotspring) spa with outdoor pools!
Tokyo tower - great view, white and orange and 333 metres high.
Asakusa temple area - amazing aesthetics and architecture and lots of insents. Did get only bad luck from the fortune sticks, however. I'm doomed...
And many many wonderful restaurants!
+ Describe your experience of AIN Asia in 3 sentences
The week on the whole was an eye-opener to the Japanese culture and to many other, especially Asian, cultures. I was very happy to share and learn from the others not only AI-related ideas but also the way people live their lives in different countries. I am happy and proud of that we all made the first AIN Asia conference come true and look forward to the coming up events in Asia later on.
Answers Joost Kadijk
+What was the most amazing thing you've seen on the conference?
Totally different cultures working and playing together, having real interest in each other.
+ What is the biggest difference between the Japanese culture and your own culture?
Japanese people are fond of rituals and are refined in their manners. We (Dutch) are more upfront.
+ What was a special moment for you?
The closing tea ceremony.
+ Describe the workshop you liked most?
Improv and cultural differences, by Tomi and Kerstin.
+ What is a difference between improv in Japan and your country?
Japanese like singing more than we do (karaoke!)
+ Tell me something about the participants?
Very enthusiastic and open minded. Many Japanese.
+ What words have you heard the most?
Hai, yes and..
+ Did you visit something outside the conference? What and did you like it?
Roppongi Hills, imperial gardens, Tokyo is a wonderfull city. I loved it and I really want to go back there.
+ Describe your experience of AIN Asia in 3 sentences
Intense, warm, welcoming, cultureshock.
Stuff from the site
821 people have already joined the AIN site, isn't that great. Further, we have 38 local and theme groups; the Discussion Forum is going very well. Check out here the latest information:
+ The Discussion Forum - (for example, have a look at the AI work opportunities or join the discussion about a successful business) - http://appliedimprov.ning.com/forum
+ Invite some friends - do you know people who are also working in the Applied Improv domain - http://appliedimprov.ning.com/main/invitation/new
+ Do an advanced search to find partnerships in a certain area - http://appliedimprov.ning.com/profiles/members/advancedSearch
+ Spotlight on the newest information - http://appliedimprov.ning.com/
+ And we've got a great reaction of Talia Shafir who found the member-map very interesting. Here's her reaction: "Yesterday, after a long hiatus, I checked out the site, since I received an email from AIN. When I placed myself on the world member map, I found another tiny blue box representing an AIN member practically on top of my box. It turns out the member lives right near me (Duh!) and has a psychology background and wants to hook up with improv folks. I know I can help her connect, not just with my improv theater group, but with a number of active groups. And, I am excited about the possibility of working with her in developing the my workshop repetoire to be able to create the therapeutic slant I desire. I left a message for her by clicking on her name on the map. I hope she will be interested in collaborating."
And here are some FAQs for the people who don't know the site very well. Leif Hansen is doing a great job to help to find your way around - http://appliedimprov.ning.com/notes/AIN_Site_Video_Tutorials.
Impro Writings
Our project to gather and publish case studies of applied improvisation is moving forward. The idea is to build up a compelling collection of applications of improvisation by AIN members, to inspire and inform each other and also to appeal to potential clients. You can find the results of the case study survey (http://appliedimprov.ning.com/group/bookofcasestudies/forum/topics/...). There’s still time for you to add more cases, or volunteer to interview or be interviewed if you wish.
The list will be available on http://appliedimprov.ning.com/note /Case_Study_Collection under Resources.
There’s a great new list of books that have useful information for applied improvisers – including several written by AIN members: http://appliedimprov.ning.com/notes/Impro_books_in_English. You can now find this list under "Resources"
Please add comments or titles that we have missed in the Group discussions. For lively discussions about particular books - http://appliedimprov.ning.com/group/chicagoain2008improvbusinesslit...
And thanks to Frederique Thiriet-Smith and Katherine for compiling a list of articles about applied improvisation and related topics. http://appliedimprov.ning.com/notes/Impro_Reading_list. The ones marked ‘AI’ are probably the most directly connected to our work. There’s still scope for more articles to be added, or to put a comment next to those that you have found useful (or otherwise).
Why Improv Is Absolutely Essential (by Greg Hohn)
“I hate imagination,” the woman growled at me during an innocuous exercise in an Applied Improv program I was leading. I wasn’t expecting that. I’d never heard anyone say that ever, much less in one of the hundreds of course and workshop sessions I’ve facilitated.
A bit stunned, the most appropriate response I could come up with was something like, “Well, that’s a choice and you have the right to make it…”
“That’s right,” the woman interjected. I continued, “I have chosen to integrate imagination into my life as much as possible and I’ve found it has made for a successful and fulfilling career and a happy life outside of work. But that’s just my choice."
If anyone ever tells me he or she hates imagination again though, I’m going to be loaded for bear.
“So I guess you hate Gandhi and Jesus and Einstein and Martin Luther King, Jr. and anyone who has tried to make the world a better place,” I might retort. My intention isn’t going to be to hurt feelings but to ask why. Why do you hate imagination? What do you have that’s so much better that makes you want to hate? Of course, I’m not really going to have to say anything because I’m already saying it. Indeed, I am indebted to the woman who hates imagination because she made me realize just how important it is.
Imagination, I contend, is nothing less than the heart of civilization, of social evolution. Of course, imagination as the soul of art is a familiar concept to most people. Painting, writing, musical composition, choreography—it all revolves around the artist’s vision. For many adults, imagination is artistry and that is this woman’s objection to it; she’s just not comfortable being artistic. But let’s look at people like King, Jesus, and Gandhi. What were they all about? Justice, I say. Justice is fairness. Fairness is doing what’s right not only for yourself but for others as well. And how can you escape the cold boundaries of self-interest? With imagination! You’ve got to imagine yourself in the other guy’s shoes. And when you imagine yourself in someone else’s situation, you find yourself feeling compassion. It’s the step beyond justice—not just doing what is right by others but also treating them as you would yourself. In addition, true communication demands that you imagine your message as others might see it and imagine yourself making the messages of others.
Uh-oh, touchy-feely alert! Let’s bring this back down to earth a bit. What about businesspeople? They've heard that imagination is good for them but is it in anything other than a 'soft,' intangible way? Well, problem solving is a pretty solid, no-frills skill and it relies on imagination. How? You’ve got a situation you don’t like. In order to change it, you must conceive of what might make it better and how you might effect that change. Imagination is at the heart of solving problems. Innovation is imagining a new and better way to do things and it is the by-product of the creative process. Managing and motivating people requires imagination because the manager has to get an idea for what it's like to be the one managed and what's going to work from that perspective. Even the scientific process relies on imagination. A hypothesis must be imagined that will be subsequently proven or disproved. Data is collected but how will that data be organized? Once again, imagination must be summoned; data will not just arrange themselves.
When you consider that the evolution of homo sapiens has rested upon problem solving, innovation, and paying close attention each other, I feel one can state that civilization and progress are the product of applying imagination to the assumption that people can create something greater than biology alone dictates (an assumption that in itself requires imagination). Perhaps imagination resides in our genes. Okay, the dead horse has been beaten. What next?
If you are convinced of the importance of imagination—if you trust that imagination should not be hated—how do you go about developing and using your imagination? Same way you get to Carnegie Hall: practice, practice, practice. Artistic disciplines give participants an opportunity to exercise their creative and imaginative muscles. Just as with actual physiological muscles, the more these muscles are exercised, the stronger and more ready for use they become.
Improvisation is an ideal artistic discipline for developing and using imagination for many reasons, including that it can be done in groups and that little preparation or technical expertise is required to do it (at least if you’re not asking people to pay to see it). You get a group of people with nothing but their minds and bodies and you let them create and magic can happen. It’s fun. You get to know each other. Unexpected things transpire. Once imagination is welcomed into the process, even if it is simply by doing some improv exercises, suddenly you have the tool you most need to solve problems, to create and innovate, to communicate, and to adapt and evolve.
There, I said it: Improv can save the world.
More articles from Greg Hohn - http://transactors.org/
Announcement AIN Conference Portland
The next big AIN conference will take place in Troutdale, Oregon. All info + registration at http://appliedimprov.ning.com/group/ain2009portlandor
The Chain part 3: Yael Schy interviews Raffi Feghali
1. Describe yourself in 16 words.
Why 16? Why not 15 or 17? Here we go: loud, hyper, attempting to be funny, easy going, peaceful, passionate, percussionist, trainer, facilitator, actor, always busy
2. Where were you when you first experienced improv, and what was your reaction?
On stage - I forgot my lines in a scripted play and I had to improvise. I was horrified, especially about what I had just done to the other actors and I was hoping they would be able to pick it up and they did! I was extremely happy and it's one of my best memories on stage till now.
3. What's your favorite improv exercise?
I really can't choose just one! Any exercise that has improv in it goes for me!
4. How do you use improv in your Peacebuilding work?
I use improv as a training tool for peacebuilding, mainly. I'm also still in the process of exploring all the possible ways I can use improv, but I'm thinking of themed shows and improvised street theater (closer to image theater) as activities within our campaigns. I'm sure there are a lot of other ways as well, so I'm working towards that.
5. What do you most want to get out of being an AIN member?
Resources, collaborations, chances to perform in other cities and most of all, help in starting my training business (of course, that uses only improv to train)
Overview of next activities
+ April 18 - Creative Jolt Weekend - North Vancouver
+ April 18 - Celebrity Theatresports - Melbourne (Australia)
+ April 21-24 - Conference ' Performance Arts Training Today' - Bovec (Slovenia)
+ July 27 - August 7 - Loose Moose Summer School - Calgary (Canada)
+ November 12-15 - AIN Conference Portland
Check out http://appliedimprov.ning.com/events for all events
About
Upcoming Events
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The You Name It Show Interview with Gary Hirsch
December 9, 2009 at 6pm to January 29, 2010 at 7pm – Gallery Paradiso
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Improv in Iraq: Playing with Freedom.
December 28, 2009 from 7pm to 9pm – BATS Improv, SF
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Veterans Family Reintegration Project
January 2, 2010 to November 30, 2010 – Institute for Therapy through the Arts
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Using Techniques from Improvisational Theatre for Team Building
January 12, 2010 from 6pm to 8:15pm – Chicago Draftfcb - Auditorium on Floor 14 |
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Improv for Shy People
January 12, 2010 from 7pm to 9pm – Oakland
Birthdays
© 2009 Created by Leif Hansen on Ning. Create a Ning Network!
