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Avila
The global conference of the Applied Improvisation Network was held in Avila, Spain in July. I was there!
A group of improv nerds in Spain . . .
In late July of this year, the Applied Improvisation Network (AIN) held its global conference in the sun-drenched medieval town of Avila, Spain. For about a week, people from all over the world met to share the ways they use improvisation to improve the lives of others. This conference was supposed to have happened in 2020, and then again in 2021, postponed both times for health and safety concerns. So those of us who made it there in July were like kids for whom a birthday party had been delayed, and then delayed again. We were giddy with excitement and overjoyed to be in each other’s company, off screen and in person.
At the end of my “quest” at the beginning of the workshop.
What is applied improvisation you ask? Think of it this way. Performed improv is used as entertainment. Applied improv is when improvisation and the exercises, games and mindset supporting it are used for any other purpose. Most commonly, applied improvisors work in the business consulting marketplace as coaches, team builders and workshop leaders. But we also work in the fields of healthcare, education and therapeutic research. We have found that the potential application of improvisation to improve the lives of people extends to any field where human beings strive to be in healthy, creative and dynamic relationships with each other.
I was invited by AIN to deliver a workshop on “Using Structured Improvisation with People with Disabilities.” I had an hour to condense the years I have spent with people with autism, cerebral palsy and other disabilities, co-creating structured improvisations and devising pieces of theatre. I delivered the workshop to a small group Saturday morning and it went well. I was even able to squeeze in a short slideshow of our Ability In Action classes at the end. On the last day I led a spontaneous session examining the issue of diversity and inclusion at AIN, which remains a very white network. That has led to an ongoing relationship with like-minded AINers and a commitment to hold each other accountable as we work towards a more diverse AIN.
First night dinner out. Nations represented: Norway, France, New Zealand and the U.S. Waiter looks pissed but he was actually nice.
But if I’m honest, the most meaningful aspect of the trip were the connections I made with applied improvisors from Norway, The Netherlands, Bermuda, New Zealand, Sweden and other places. These were my tribe, and we spent many hours over meals, walks and late night drinks and coffees connecting, sharing, listening and rejoicing in our shared commitment to this extraordinary art form. And yes, the Spaniards stay out late. Speaking of Spaniards: the whole event was organized and facilitated by group of Spanish applied improvisors who were heroic, both in their accomplishment and also in their cheerfulness under duress. Ole tu!
For weeks now I have been trying to distill some punchline, some “moral of the story” to put a neat little bow on this experience. But I can’t. Like improvisation itself, the event was ineffable. But I will say that the world is waking up to the value of skillfully facilitated group experiences grounded in the innate optimism and problem-solving of improvisation. Bright Invention is part of a worldwide movement and, like improvisation, the possibilities are limitless.
Next year, the conference will be in Vancouver. I plan on being there. In the meantime, visit the AIN website and look for ways you can get involved!
Ben Notes: what improv offers the differently abled
BRIGHT INVENTION TEACHER KIERSTEN ADAMS ADDRESS THE ACTING OUT! ENSEMBLE
It was March or April 2014. With the help of my brother I had just opened a small performing arts studio in my hometown of Elkins Park, PA. As I was standing on the sidewalk outside, I was approached by a woman and her teenage daughter. I noticed that her daughter hid behind her mom while her mom spoke to me. This caught my attention.
“This is so great!” her mom said of my little studio. “Will you be offering classes for young people with disabilities?” I told her that was something I was personally interested in but I didn’t want to misrepresent us. I explained that we - the ensemble and I - weren’t trained in working with that population. She introduced herself and her daughter to me. Her daughter is on the autism spectrum.
Two weeks later she emailed me and offered me this: she would pay to have me and as many of our ensemble as were interested trained by a woman who had been offering theater classes to kids with disabilities for years. I was moved and excited - and said yes! In the fall of 2014, we offered our first class for young people with disabilities and we named it Acting Out! This fall we celebrate five continuous years of offering this class.
TEACHERS KIERSTEN AND SHEA SONSKY TAPE DOWN THE FLOOR FOR THE FINAL SHARE WHILE FOUNDING MEMBERS ISABEL, CARLEY, ELIAS AND ERIC HELP.
Of all the various constituents Bright Invention serves and has served - from summer campers to corporate entities- our community of families in the disability community have been the most steadfast and loyal. Of that original group in 2014, four students have been in every class since, and we have begun to call them the “Acting Out! Ensemble”, and have begun thinking of ways to raise the bar in terms of their performance and visibility.
One of the things that sets our class apart from others like it is that we make no distinctions of either ability or disability. Many creativity classes are focused on particular disability or disability spectrum: autism, cerebral palsy, Down’s syndrome, etc. We essentially throw our doors open and say, if you think this is the class for you you are welcome. This affirms our commitment to radical inclusivity, and it comes with some challenges. Our teachers need to create an eight-week experience that serves everyone in the class, some of whom read, some who don’t, some who can jump around, others can’t, some who are very verbal, others who are very quiet. We have experimented with many approaches, and at first were using a variety of scripted formats to create theater, everything from original plays written by teachers from student ideas, to short Shakespeare scenes. But the scripts were challenging and had the unfortunate effect of dividing our group in to two basic groups: those who could read and memorize, and those who couldn’t.
Around this time I was developing an approach to organizational development, team building and leadership training which has come to be called Creative Corporate Training. These workshops use a “scenario-based” approach in which we design tailor-made scenarios we perform for our clients, which enact themes or challenges they want to explore. Then through a feedback sequence, the client group watches a problematic scenario improve as our actors replay the scenario making adjustments based on client observations and ideas. We create these scenarios using “structured improvisation” in which we design a simple three-act story based on our client’s needs, and our actors rehearse and perform it like it’s a little play. Except it isn’t. Because there’s no script. You see where this is going?
Please help Bright Invention deliver creative dramatics and structured improv to communities in need!
A HAPPY COMMUNITY AFTER A SUCCESSFUL FINAL SHARE!
Since 2017, this three-act, structured improvisation technique has been at the center of our work with people with disabilities. With this technique, everyone in the class can participate to their full potential. Everyone in the class is co-creating a three-act play, with assigned roles, a repeatable and rehearsable structure, and no limit on anyone’s creativity and imagination. All of the benefits of creative dramatics are engaged in this process. Our students are gaining confidence, developing verbal skills, acquiring emotional intelligence, and learning basic narrative structure: beginning, middle, end. Because our students are theatre people, our classes also include a rehearsed and performed show tune, which is now woven into the three-act play they create. We are really lucky to have talented and committed teachers who know how to lead structured improv, and can also choreograph a kick-ass show stopper. And we are expanding. This year, we brought our technique to a new community to us: teenage girls recovering from trauma.
Over the years, through my deepening relationship to these families I have learned a lot about what matters to them. I can write all I want about (see paragraph above) but here’s what the families tell me. Having a safe and reliable communal experience, in which their loved ones are having a fun and creative experience together is what matters. Because for their loved ones in this class, there aren’t a lot of places that offer that safe, creative space. I keep trying to innovate and they tell me, sure, okay, but just keep doing this, because this is essential for us.
That shy girl I met behind her mom on the sidewalk in 2014 is Isabel, and she is a core member of the Acting Out! Ensemble. She has been in every class since. She has performed for us and for her school, where I saw her play a leading role in their production of Hairspray. Here is a short interview I did with her before the Acting Out! final share last weekend:
I can no longer think of her and her classmates as “disabled”. She and they are just this bunch of amazing young people we get to play with year after year, and stand amazed as they bring their gifts, creativity and love to each other, us and the world.
Happy Thanksgiving. There is much to be grateful for.
Ability in Action
PARTICIPANTS IN ACTING OUT!
Ability In Action is a comprehensive, immersive and experiential program for youth and young adults living with a disability. Ability In Action utilizes performance creativity and embodied activities to enhance social skills, verbal and physical expression, communication and self determination. Here’s what Bright Invention is up to this winter/spring in Ability in Action:
Acting Out! is open to all youth and young adults with ASD, Aspergers, or any Physical or Developmental Disability. This class introduces basics of acting and collaboration in a safe and structured environment. Students will engage in an opening ritual at the beginning of each class and will gradually be introduced to games and activities over the course of the class semester. The final class will feature a share for family and friends based on the comfort level of students. This class is open to youth between 10 and 20 years old (but we’re flexible!) and is currently held at the Cheltenham Center for the Arts. Class begins February 24 - click here!
Stepping Out! Let us come to you and co-create fun and meaningful workshops and classes for your amazing community! Participants engage in Storytelling, Drama, Movement and Improvisation activities which explore specific themes curated to each group we work with. One workshop may explore the challenges in day to day workplace interactions while other workshops may help participants talk about relationships. Each Ability in Action experience addresses the personalized goals and needs of the participants. If you are interested in bringing Ability In Action to your organization or community. Please reach out today!
PARTICIPANTS IN A STEPPING OUT! CLASS THIS PAST SUMMER AT COMMON SPACE.
This winter we are offering Real Life Drama as part of Stepping Out! In this class we will create scenes about Real Life - the ups and downs, the highs and lows, the sweet and sour! Using a fun technique called "structured improvisation" we will play games, do some exercises and act in scenes we invent together. At the end of the class we might even do a show for our friends and families! This class is held in Ardmore at Common Space. Class begins February 23rd - click here!
Ability In Action builds a safe and supportive (and fun!) social environment which encourages risk-taking, deeper relationships and personal growth through embodied techniques and ensemble building. We love to work on special projects with blended groups. Examples of our special projects include developing an original holiday musical based on the arrangements of Fred Waring, an original production for the gala fundraising event supporting the Philly Friendship Circle, and an original play written and performed by one of our Acting Out! graduates. Got an idea? We want to hear it!
PARTICIPANTS IN A STEPPING OUT! CLASS THIS PAST SUMMER AT COMMON SPACE.