Improv: The Secret Ingredient to Student Success

When people think of Improv, the first thing that comes to mind is probably "Whose Line Is It Anyway?" or a duo of quick-witted comedians firing off one-liners on stage. Yes, improv can be great fun and laugh-out-loud funny. However, we are finding that it can be much more than that. Improv is less about "being funny" and more about building life skills that stick with students long after they've stepped off the stage.

A recent article written by Aladesuyi and Nguyen and published in NPR explores the lasting benefits of improv in everyday life. Experts note that improv's core principles- listening, saying "yes, and..." and working collaboratively, are important skills students need to succeed in everyday life. It encourages risk taking without fear of failure, because in improv, every "mistake" becomes an opportunity to pivot and create something new. Through these classes, students gain confidence in expressing themselves, even in unfamiliar situations.

Students showcase their collaborative skills in an improv performance, building confidence on stage.

Improv also teaches students to adapt. In a scene, you don’t know what your partner is about to say. They learn to think on their feet, trust their instincts, and roll with the unexpected. Those same skills translate into real life: speaking up in class, tackling group projects, navigating job interviews, or handling curveballs in social situations. In the age of technology, careers can change quickly. Coding used to be one of the most valuable skills in the workforce, but now AI is learning how to write code. Changes like this will continue and possibly be more prevalent for Gen Z and Gen Alpha. Students will need to learn to adapt in a quickly changing environment, and those with the mental fortitude to handle the unexpected will have a competitive edge in the current and future job market.

Perhaps one of the most overlooked benefits is how improv builds empathy. Students of improv will constantly be putting themselves in someone else’s shoes, and that fosters a deeper understanding of different perspectives. Instead of just building on their own ideas, improv students have to learn how to build on someone else’s, which strengthens collaboration and communication. Being able to see the world through another person's eyes helps entrepreneurs and inventors identify needs of others, so they can work to find the solution, probably with a team, which they will do well because of their communication skills.

Daniel Maggard, the visionary Artistic Director and founder of Uproar Entertainment. He is also the Director of the Improv Department at Sound and Stage Academy in Nampa, Idaho.

In short, improv isn’t just theatre training — it’s life training. It's not just for aspiring comedians, it's for everybody. We have improv classes that start at the age of 5 and go into adulthood. Sign your kids up for improv, you'll be amazed at the difference you will see in them over the course of a semester in many more ways than just theatre. Your house might start to be a little more funny too, so added bonus.

We have a fantastic improv team, led by Daniel Maggard! Daniel is a seasoned actor, comedian, and director. He’s been playing on stages in Boise and beyond since 2015 and discovered a love for improvisation nearly 15 years ago. With a passion for the performing arts and the principles of “yes, and,” Daniel is dedicated to helping you unlock your potential as a storyteller and creative. He’s been teaching students of all ages since 2019. Daniel is joined by two more talented actresses and improv professionals: Athena Hoxsey (Watkins), and Bailee Morrison!

Ready to see your student’s confidence soar? Whether your child is a natural performer or just looking to try something new, our improv classes are a safe, supportive, and ridiculously fun place to grow. Students will learn quick thinking, teamwork, and communication skills that will help them in everyday life and their future careers— all while laughing harder than they thought possible. We currently have classes running for students ages 5-18, book your class at Sound and Stage Academy today!

References

Covert Theatre. (n.d.). About improv. Covert Theatre. https://www.coverttheatre.com/about-improv

NPR. (2022, October 19). Improv can build confidence. Here’s how to apply it to your everyday life. NPR. https://www.npr.org/2022/10/19/1129907651/improv-can-build-confidence-heres-how-to-apply-it-to-your-everyday-life