The Best Improv Classes In Louisville

Sometimes when leading an improv based workshop in a corporate setting, it is necessary to get the participants to used to the idea that they will be speaking a lot during te proceedings. When I have a group like that I often turn to Passion Circle. Here is how it works.

Have the group stand in a circle. Each participant will choose a subject they are passionate about. The instructor will ask them to speak about these subjects in a random order by pointing at them, with each participant having several opportunities to speak on their subject.

They should select topics they have honest points of view about (“I hate the Knicks!”, Cooking is a waste of time!” or “Skateboarding is a great sport!” are good examples) not funny stories from their past. The problem with funny stories is that they end whereas opinions go on and on and on and on. Sometimes when someone can't think of something I suggest they share their honest opinions regarding office events. (That's normally fairly funny).

Invariably the participants who speak honestly about their passions will say several hilarious things without trying to be funny. That’s because your best creative ideas always come from you and your life experience. And while that is certainly true, it is also true that asking yourself to think of an idea more creative than what you typically have will result in a type of immediate writer’s block.

In improv we have a saying, Remember, Don’t Invent. When being creative it is better to rely on your own life experience than to try to think differently than you typically do when generating ideas.

So this exercise is great as a transition exercise from warm ups to the body of a workshop. It gets people comfortable with the nature of improv and rewards them for being brave and honest. It also works on creativity and there are modifications you can use to twist it into an agility exercise.