03 Jun Ryan Makes Lasting Friendships Through Improv
I first heard about improv at BNW Student Union from my uncle. He’s been doing improv for a long time and he’s always been bugging me to try it. He sent me a link to an event for the free adult improv sampler, and I went. I absolutely loved it and pretty much signed up immediately for a class.
From doing and practicing improv, I am more sure of who I am. I feel like in the “real world,” I kind of suppress the “crazy” a little bit. Being here at BNW SU, you’re encouraged to truly be yourself. It’s definitely better to express yourself than to hold it all inside. In improv, you’re able to be your whole self instead of just a fragment of yourself.
As someone who’s been through each of the Everyday Improv level courses, I really enjoyed working with my group of improvisers over the course of multiple class sessions. They’re all really great people. Without improv, we would not have been in the same circle at all. It’s such an eclectic group of people to play with and we get along so well.
After week two or three of class in Everyday Improv 1, we started going out after class and we pretty much haven’t stopped. Sometimes we’ll even hang out on the weekends. We’ve become legitimately really good friends. I think a lot of the friendship comes from those moments after class talking about what we experienced and getting to know more about each other’s personal lives. A lot of us also go to improv shows together.
I’ve learned that the skills and mindset that I’ve conditioned through improv affects how I interact with people in everyday life. I’ve noticed that a conversation doesn’t really work if you’re not “Yes, and”-ing the conversation. It’s like when someone’s telling you a story and you go off on a different tangent, you are effectively ignoring them. Whereas, if you engage with their story, then you’re actively listening to that person and showing that you’re interested!
If you’re new to improv, I think it would be more weird not to be nervous. But if you are brave and give it a shot, I promise you won’t be disappointed. Everybody is out of their comfort zone, and you’re all going through it together. The process itself is transformational. Even as simple as a time to play and have fun once a week where you can let go and forget about all the drama and worries in your life. Just have some fun and let your “crazy” shine.
Ryan Blix, BNW SU Graduate of Everyday Improv Program
Be Brave.
Do Improv.