The Importance of Improv For Children

Throughout my performance/acting career, I've found nothing ever prepared me more than improvisation. I learned the magic of how to improvise my first year of high school. As a freshman, my drama class teacher, Sue Wurster, taught us how valuable a character can be. Knowing everything about that character, be it an impersonation or imagined, helps determine what the character would say or behave, off-script. To think quickly and come up with ideas on the fly is not only an asset to comedians and actors alike, it helps the everyday person deal with literally anything which comes their way. Improv, as without a net as it may seem (and is), is a lot like life. We never know how someone will react to a situation. To something you might say. And rarely do those who have improvisation in their toolbox, struggle to find the right words or actions. 

Improv and the development of characters is something necessary for children in that it keeps their imagination alive while maintaining a sense of "play"...something which fades as we enter adulthood, but doesn't have to. Being able to play and mess around with different faces, voices and walks, is what keeps creativity flowing. It's what enables us down the line to face adversity and fall back on the "yes and..." rule of improv. With "yes and..." we remove the negative. We roll with the punches and accept whatever is said. "You didn't finish the fiscal report," says the boss. "Yes and I'll finish it within the hour," you say and that's that. The situation hasn't escalated and in this case, there really isn't anything else the boss can say unless of course, the report was due a month ago and they have every reason to be angry or upset. However, just by using the standard "yes and..." from improv, one can still defuse the fire. 

The job interviewer is throwing curveballs. You kind of know what to say, but tremble a bit. With improv and mirroring facial expressions, you gain control of the situation, for you seemingly know what to say no matter the questions or comments. Improv helps decrease one's anxiety and builds confidence in public speaking, being interviewed &c...No matter the question, you can form an answer which comes off sincere and honest. You can assume the role of any big executive, successful employer or peer who has a better knack of what's expected of you. Let these figures become characters in your mind and take some of their ingredients to make your own dish.

Starting improvisation and character development at an early age has many benefits and advantages. Children will feel more comfortable being vocal in class or at home. They will gain confidence and valuable experiences, using what works best in dealing or speaking with classmates and teachers. Young minds are like sponges. Young minds like to play. Young minds are imaginative and children need to strengthen this muscle so they never lose even as they turn into full-fledged adults.