One of the things that enthralls me about the art of improvisation is how deeply spiritual it is. I know, right? — the same form that yields the antics of Whose Line Is It, Anyway and Kenneth the NBC Page on 30 Rock is somehow connected to, like, your ch’i, your soul, your dharma?
The threads of my contention lead back to Viola Spolin’s work in the 1930s and ’40s, before her son Paul Sills and his cronies at the U. of Chicago focused her techniques on their forays into comedic improv with Compass Players and Second City. It was Spolin who put the soul in improv. She saw that the act of improvising was much more than mere frolic. She observed the learning, communication and creative breakthroughs that came about because of it. With insight every bit as penetrating as Einstein’s physics, she surmised that improvisational play helps us overcome our fears and unlocks pathways to our hidden potential, to new uses for our knowledge, to the full range of our ability to connect with one another in meaningful, productive ways. And I believe she saw that in its deepest and what she called its most ‘objective’ state, improvisation could be an expression of love.
This hit home with me today when I got a message from my friend, Deepam Chatterjee, a teacher and storyteller from India, who posts some very interesting, often profound, dialogues with his audience on Facebook. Deepam’s thoughts resonate like the sound of a giant gong with the principles of improvisation.
According to Wikipedia, one myth has it that Ganesha the elephant-headed Hindu god, came into being because another god (Shiva) laughed. And while I draw the line at worshipping Drew Carey — funny though he may be hosting The Price is Right – as any kind of deity, I still see parallels aplenty between spirituality and improvisation.
Some excerpts from Deepam’s message (with my notes in italics):
“I see it (his Facebook posts) as Satsang — where a large group benefits from an interaction between a teacher and a questioner…” In the same way, the audience benefits from on-stage dialogue by improv performers. Plus, improvisation often has the added dimension of beginning with a suggestion from the audience — in effect posing the ‘question’ that gets explored in the dialogue.
“Service is about the one being served — not those who serve…” In improvisation, making a strong supporting move, ‘giving a gift’, is the very best contribution one can make to a scene. Making fellow players look good is a rewarding experience for an improviser. Strong support always results in a strong performance by the group. And when everyone in the group kills during a performance, the post-show parties are much more fun.
“I believe that we must use all the abilities in doing what inspires us…” An improviser understands that knowledge will be there when her or she needs it. It is inspiration that frees us to put that knowledge into play. Don’t seek knowledge, seek inspiration, and the knowledge will come. The hustle begets the flow.
“Learn to accept people and situations as they are…” An improviser deals in the reality of the scene, not in what they want the scene to be or become.
When God throws the ball at you, throw it right back!!!! Give and take strongly. Use what the scene gives you. Keep the ball moving.
As you choose the moment, you are free of the past… It is by staying in the moment that improvisers make the most of their scenes. In this way, every instant gets charged with incredible potential. You weren’t needed earlier and you won’t be needed later. You are needed now.
There are no preconditions… There are no preconditions.
Thank you, Deepam!
Tags: 30 Rock, Compass Players, Creativity, Deepam Chatterjee, Drew Carey, Elephant God, Ganesha, Hindu, Improvisation, India, Jack Macbreyer, Kenneth the Intern, NBC, Second City, Spirituality, Viola Spolin, Whose Line Is It Anyway?