The unselfishness of breaks
While making the most recent Improv Chronicle episodes I’ve been talking to people who have been taking a break from improv during the pandemic. Sure, they’ve got the option to do online improv if they want to, but they have elected not to. One of the things I wanted to know was what the break was giving to them personally and I’ve heard a variety of positive things. However, one thing I had not factored in was what someone taking a break also does for those the improvise with.
It was John Cremer from The Maydays that first articulated it when I was interviewing people. He said when someone steps back in an organisation or performance group, others have to adjust. This gives people challenges and opportunities they will not have had before and, as a result, it is often good for that group.
As I talked to others, I heard about them investing in reading, watching documentaries, learning new skills and all admitted that these things would give the a fuller life that would inevitably feed into their improv. It was Pete Bergen from Washington DC who started talking about how the best improvisers have a rich life they can draw upon in their scene work.
There has been some talk about what live shows might be like when we eventually can get back into theatres and perform again. Some think they might be chaotic, of slightly awkward quality or even, not that great. I disagree. I think the combination of those who have been drilling their skills through online improv paired with people who have enriched other parts of their lives by taking a break could create some really exciting work. The audiences will be craving entertainment; improvisers will give them something exciting and new.