Anne Libera and Kelly Leonard, improv instructors and ambassadors at The Second City, discuss how improv comedy relates to mindfulness, creativity, cognitive reframing, authenticity, and more. They share examples of 'Yes, And' in improv, the importance of embracing mistakes and challenging societal expectations, the significance of play and improvisation in various settings, the connection between improv comedy and happiness, and the relationship between comedy, improvisation, and mindfulness.
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Quick takeaways
Embracing failure and seeing it as a gift is a crucial aspect of improvisation that can be applied to other areas of life.
The 'Yes, And' exercise in improv encourages collaboration, creativity, and open-mindedness in various settings.
Deep dives
Improvisation as a Way to Embrace Failure and Use It
Improvisation is an art form that not only allows for failure but finds ways to use failure. It embraces failure and recognizes its value. The ability to see all obstacles as gifts and make mistakes work for you is a crucial aspect of improvisation and can be applied to our approach towards failure in other areas of life as well.
The Power of 'Yes, And'
'Yes, And' is a fundamental exercise in improvisation that emphasizes building on ideas and accepting them as true. It encourages collaboration and helps individuals reach a solution more quickly by enabling them to explore and develop ideas together. This practice of 'Yes, And' can be applied in various settings to foster creativity, teamwork, and open-mindedness.
Unlocking Creativity Through Improvisation
Improvisation is a creative process that taps into the natural human behaviors and interactions. It allows individuals to break away from rigid thinking patterns and explore new possibilities. By cultivating a mindset of openness, flexibility, and a focus on the present moment, improvisation nurtures creativity and helps individuals discover truths and ideas that may not have been realized otherwise.
The Benefits of Authenticity and Active Listening in Improvisation
Improvisation encourages authenticity and the ability to be fully present in the moment. It provides a safe space for individuals to express themselves without fear of judgment, allowing for the exploration of vulnerable and genuine interactions. Active listening is a crucial skill in improvisation, enabling individuals to truly hear and respond to others, building trust and creating authentic connections.
Today we welcome Anne Libera and Kelly Leonard on the show for an especially fun and playful look at the world of improv comedy! Anne and Kelly are world class improv instructors and ambassadors who have a long history at The Second City, the world’s first ever on-going improvisational theatre troupe. The Second City has turned out notable performers like Tina fey, Stephen Colbert and Seth Meyers. Topics revolve around improv as it relates to mindfulness, creativity, cognitive reframing, authenticity and more. We also learned a lot from this interview about how improv can be used in everyday life, and we still get a kick out of the story we improvised involving the destruction of Purple Popsicle Man! We thank those listeners who take a moment to leave an honest iTunes review – it helps us hone our craft!