Improv and the Art of Staying Young
By the end of this year, I will be turning forty years old. Yup, that’s right – the big four-oh. As I approach this milestone, I definitely notice times when I feel stuck in a rut, feeling older than I actually am. Whether it’s complaining about body aches and pains, gray hairs, chin hairs, or how I’ll never be able to afford retirement, the signs of aging can sometimes weigh heavily on my mind.
However, I once heard a guest on a CBC radio show say that “we grow old because we stop playing.” And you know what? I think they’re onto something. Although there’s nothing inherently wrong with the signs of aging or aging itself, I’m actually excited to turn 40. I feel like I’ve learned to enjoy everyday life no matter my age, and a big part of that is thanks to the power of playfulness and improv.
Improv, at its foundation, is play – something all of us adults did at one point in our lives, but likely dropped along the path toward careers and increased responsibility. One of the things I love about improv is that when I look around the class, workshop, or jam I’m at, there are people of all different ages, from college students to retired folks. And our ages are suspended as much as our beliefs when we come together to play.
The Benefits of Improv
Research shows that games, arts, crafts, and yes, improv, are good for our mental health and overall quality of life. For example, a study of 898 university students found that playfulness was associated with better coping strategies for stress. Another study in older adults in a long-term care facility showed that an 8-week improv program significantly improved social isolation and perceived stress. Improv also had a tendency to improve positive affect, self-efficacy, and anxiety.
Worrying is a habit I think many of us develop as we age. Worry is essentially a low tolerance to uncertainty. However, in a research study, participants who did improv exercises had better divergent thinking – the ability to come up with multiple solutions to a given problem – and uncertainty tolerance, compared to matched controls.
In improv, play comes in the form of theatre games and exercises. We might get better at collaborating by telling a story together, one word at a time. We might strengthen our visualization skills by building tableaus using our bodies and mime work. We might get out of our heads and into the moment with energy-passing and focus exercises.
Improv and the Musical Theater Artist
As a musical theater artist, I’ve found that the principles of improv have been invaluable in my training and performance. Spontaneity, adaptability, and the willingness to take risks are essential qualities for any performer, and improv helps cultivate these traits in spades.
One of the key lessons I’ve learned from improv is the power of “yes, and…” This simple concept – of accepting what’s given to you and building upon it – has transformed the way I approach my work. Instead of stubbornly clinging to a preconceived notion of how a scene or a song should go, I’ve learned to stay open and responsive to the moment, trusting that something interesting will emerge if I just say “yes, and…”
This mindset has been particularly helpful in my musical theater work, where things can often go unexpectedly off-script. Whether it’s a missed cue, a forgotten line, or a technical glitch, improv has taught me to stay calm, think on my feet, and find creative solutions in the moment. Rather than panicking or freezing up, I can tap into my improv training and turn a potential disaster into a moment of spontaneous magic.
Cultivating Confidence and Creativity
But improv doesn’t just help me navigate the challenges of live performance – it also fuels my creativity and boosts my confidence as an artist. By engaging in exercises that sharpen my visualization skills, deepen my focus, and strengthen my collaborative abilities, I’ve found that I’m able to approach my work with a greater sense of freedom and playfulness.
Instead of agonizing over every detail or overthinking my choices, I can instead tap into the spontaneous, in-the-moment energy that improv has cultivated within me. This, in turn, allows me to take more risks, be more imaginative, and truly inhabit the characters and stories I’m tasked with bringing to life.
And the benefits of this approach extend far beyond the stage or the rehearsal room. In my everyday life, I’ve found that my improv training has helped me become a more adaptable, resilient, and joyful person. I’m better able to roll with the punches, find humor in the unexpected, and approach challenges with a sense of curiosity and openness.
Improv and the Future of Musical Theater
As I look to the future of musical theater, I can’t help but feel excited about the role that improv will continue to play. In an art form that is constantly evolving, the ability to think quickly, respond creatively, and embrace the unknown will be increasingly valuable.
Indeed, I can already see the influence of improv in the work of some of the most innovative and groundbreaking musical theater artists of our time. From the spontaneous, audience-interactive performances of companies like The Musical Theater Center, to the playful, genre-bending experiments of composers and librettists, the spirit of improv is alive and well in the world of musical theater.
And as someone who has personally experienced the transformative power of improv, I can’t wait to see how this dynamic art form continues to shape and inspire the next generation of musical theater artists. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or just starting out, I believe that cultivating a spirit of playfulness, spontaneity, and adaptability through improv can be a game-changer, both on stage and in life.
So, as I approach my 40th birthday, I find myself feeling more alive, more creative, and more joyful than ever before. And a big part of that is thanks to the lessons I’ve learned from the wonderful world of improv. So, what are you waiting for? Grab a partner, get on stage, and start playing!
