I’ve always had a problem with getting bored easily, so I added yet another extra curricular to my already hectic schedule. Yes, between a full time job, a full time roller derby career, and a full time boyfriend, I found time to learn a new craft- improv comedy. Little known fact abut me: I have a degree in theatre! I used to belong to a company, Twin Head Theatre, and we did some daring, crazy performances- like the ten hour long play (yes, it was really ten hours long!), or the time I gave birth to a box of Twinkies and then squished them all over my body. Sounds kind of gross, but at least I didn’t have to learn ten hours of dialogue!

Lately, I’ve been taking classes at Dad’s Garage, home of a world-class improv troupe. There is a misconception that improv is all about over the top comedy, showboating, and a competition to see who can come up with the zaniest scenario. Wrong! It’s a hard craft to learn, with the basis in several people telling a story together using one group mind. Just to give you an idea what we do on a regular basis, get a partner, and tell a story to teach other one word at a time. For example, you start by saying, “ Once.” Now have your friend say the next word. Now you say the third word, and so on, until you have told a story. Sounds easy eh?

If you’re having fun with this, check out this link for some basic terms, rules, and more games!

-Barbara