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Not to #humblebrag, but I don’t make a lot of plans in my life. A lot of what I do is often done on a whim. For example, the reason I ended up in advertising is because I read Ogilvy On Advertising and decided to apply to the Humber College copywriting program right before the application deadline. Whims are also the reason why I’m currently taking an introductory improv class at The Second City.
I’ve thought about learning improv on and off for a few years, but it wasn’t until a friend asked if I wanted to join him in taking a class that I decided to do it. I had heard that doing improv can help you with a lot of different things: writing, comic timing, public speaking, managing stress — all things that are more or less part of my job. But I was also hoping that it might affect my life outside of work. After all, aren’t we all dying to become that loud improv/actor-type who always seems like they’re “on” no matter where they are?
Sorry, that was my token cynicism kicking in. That’s another thing I was hoping might be affected by taking improv. It can be easy to get cynical in advertising when your ideas are shot down or something you thought was great doesn’t end up happening. And personally I don’t think it does you any good. At least, it doesn’t seem to be helping me. So it was interesting that the first concept we were taught in the class was “Yes, and.” It’s the idea that in improv you always have to be open. You always have to say yes in order for a scene to work. You have to be prepared to say yes no matter what happened before. We were then told that if you embrace this idea in improv, it’ll eventually affect the way you think in other parts of your life.
And has it? So far, I think so. At work, I’m finding myself more willing to just let things happen. There are things you can’t control in advertising, especially as a junior copywriter, but I think it does help to be open. Whether that’s being more open to other people’s ideas, finding the best way to revise work or facing an unexpected challenge.
Aside from being a pretty great stress reliever and a way to force myself to think on my feet, improv is helping me remember there are still plenty of possibilities and opportunities to come when something doesn’t go your way. And I think in advertising that can only be a good thing.
Liam
January 27, 2012 @ 10:46 am
Nice piece man. I am taking a print making (lino-type and etching) class tomorrow to try and do the same thing.
Anyway, I deal with a lot of anxiety and sometimes the meds don’t cut it! ha. Outlets and creative inputs are crucial to our creative health.
Sylvie
January 31, 2012 @ 8:55 am
Just read another interesting account of the “Yes, and” method from a management consultant on the HRB Blog Network. She connects theatre training to strategic storytelling and presentation skills.
Have a read: http://blogs.hbr.org/cs/2012/01/rehearsing_your_strategic_stor.html
Dave Hamilton
January 31, 2012 @ 2:48 pm
Great article Warren.
Warren Haas
February 1, 2012 @ 10:17 am
Thanks Dave and Liam, I really do appreciate it.
@Sylvie That’s a good read. There are a few more “business-y” people in my class who I think are hoping are going to get a similar benefit.
advergirling
February 3, 2012 @ 11:07 am
I’ve been thinking of going, only because its on my way to work. Maybe I should…it sounds awesome.