Last November, I did something I had been thinking about for a few years. I took an “Intro to Improv” class. I needed some incentive to get back out Post-covid. Improv was the push I needed to get myself out of the house.
It was scary, and it was hard. And I loved it.
After my intro class ended, I signed up for a six-week level one course at a different school in February. It was slightly less scary (although I did consider cancelling at the last moment) and even more fun.
I enjoyed the people in my level one class; many of us plan to take the level two class together. Since level two wasn’t offered until September, I enrolled in another level one class at my previous school (This one ends in a performance. 🫠)
While I anticipated enjoying the improvisation, what I was not expecting when I first began this journey was how much I would learn. Specifically about how much learning about improv would relate to church planting and faith.
I have shared some of this with friends and have been told, “This sounds like a blog post.” So here we are.
The Goal of Improv.
When I think of improv, probably like you, I think of Whose Line Is It Anyway? or the like. The actors say clever things, and we leave thinking how funny they are.
At the two schools where I have taken classes, both instructors emphasise that making people laugh is not the goal of improv.
So what is?
Let me step back for a minute.
When I went on the first night, I was nervous. I imagined being the only introvert in a room full of over-the-top extroverts. But there were quite a few introverts. Some people wanted to practice speaking English, and others wanted to be more confident speaking in front of groups.
During my second course, one of the students for whom English is not their first language mentioned that it was a challenge to find the right words. The instructor stated that when you are on stage with someone for whom English is not their first language, you are responsible for looking out for them and ensuring they understand what you are saying.
Don’t use colloquialisms. If you say something, and your partner seems confused, repeat it in another way until it is clear they comprehend it.
This led to the broader point that when you are on stage, your primary responsibility is to make your partner look good.
Improv is not “How do I make people laugh?” but “How can I best serve my stage partner?”
Seeing This In Action
Last week Liz and I had a date, and we went to Improviganza! A group of people from my class were attending, and my instructor was performing.
The performance my instructor is known for involves him inviting a member from the audience who has zero improv experience on stage. He interviews them for a few minutes and then asks if they will perform with him.
Most people I have told this say it sounds terrifying. The guy called on stage did look nervous. But he said yes.
While you could tell he had never done this, the on-stage guest was funny. He received several laughs and quite a bit of applause. And at the show’s end, nearly everyone focused on the guest, and several people shouted his name. It was an enjoyable night.
As we were leaving the theatre, it hit me what my instructor had done. His entire performance was about helping his guest thrive. He interviewed him in a way to ensure he would be at ease. He set him up to tell some jokes and funny stories. During the performance, it was clear that the professional was focused on making his guest look good.
At the end of the performance, there was hooting and laughing, and most of the focus was on the amateur…not the professional.
Yet, in hindsight, I have been so impressed, not only by the depth of skill the instructor demonstrated but also by the generous gift he gave to a person who did not want to end up on stage at the start of the night.,
What Leadership Should Look Like
As I’ve thought about this over the past week, I’ve been contrasting that with what leadership in the church too often looks like. I am sick of the “look at me - celebrity culture” rampant in the church. I’m angry about the flood of stories about church leaders abusing those in their care. I’m tired of pastors who treat the church as their little kingdom.
I could rant for a while, but I’ll stop there.
I would not have expected it, but the most Jesus-like example of leadership I’ve seen was in a theatre during improviganza.
I would love to see more leaders lead like this.
And in case you are wondering, no you can't see the performance...but maybe the next one😁