Recently, I had a discussion with a former improv teacher of mine about how we go about explaining what improv is like to new students.
How can you truly communicate what it is?
After all, improv is a very abstract art form. While the rules are generally the same, there are soooo many different schools of thought behind it.
Every teacher has something personal from their own life experience connected to their “go to” explanation of what improv is. For me, I connect it with sports. Specifically, The San Antonio Spurs.
See to me, the Spurs are the classic example of what improv is about. Improv is a team sport. You have to be unselfish, support your fellow players, and lose your ego. And if you know anything about my Spurs, you’d know what I’m talking about.
While it’s a pretty simple metaphor for improv, it may not impact everybody the same.
Like I said before, improv can be tricky to breakdown for new students. There are several different ways to explain improv, but is there one perfect metaphor for improv? Yes! And Keegan-Michael Key has it for us.
For those of you who don’t know, and seriously how could you not, Keegan-Michael Key is one of the hardest working and funniest actors in the business today. He started off with bit parts in tv and film, eventually getting cast as a regular on Mad TV, then co-created/co-starred in the hit sketch show Key & Peele, and now can be seen literally everywhere.
But before all that, Keegan got his start by training and performing for The Second City in Detroit. Seeing him perform live is an amazing experience. Keegan’s not only an incredible talent, but he’s one of the savviest minds in the improv community.
In the video below, Keegan gives us his take on improv and frankly it’s so smart and simple that I’m kicking myself for not thinking of it first. I love this more than my Spurs metaphor, but not more than I love my Spurs. #GoSpursGo
Watch it! It’s only 3 minutes and you’re guaranteed to get some perspective.
Right!? Don’t you feel smarter now?
Seems pretty simple and straight forward.
Don’t think.
Just listen and connect the dots.
What do you think about the video?
Did Keegan’s metaphor clear up any of the mystique of improv for you?
I want to know what you think. Leave your comments or questions below!
Best,
Nate