"Impro"

"Impro," as the teens say in Spanglish, is the project that I am most proud of over this year's time spent in Costa Rica. 

Yes, it has had its ups and downs; there have definitely been weeks where I thought the next meeting would be our last.  But there have also been times of great joy, moments in which I felt that all of my skills and training in theatre and my progress in Spanish were coming together to allow me to coach these young actors and actresses.  My favorite part, though, is that I'm not just training actors; that is only one of the many things we are doing when we meet.  More importantly, we are developing: better communicators; more confident, empathetic teens.  They are making friends with people they may have not associated with before... kids in their high schools, even.  They can start the session totally silent and angry looking, the most timid of timid teens... and end the day smiling with a look of accomplishment in their eyes that makes the whole thing worth it to me

When we close the day with "una cosa que aprendío de impro hoy" and they say things like:

I learned how to support my compañero (partner).
Today I learned that I can speak in front of people.
I learned that Improv is fun; it's not scary... I had never done anything like this before.  I've never even been to the theatre.
You can't think so much.
Every choice is a good choice - well, except if it's violent.  
Even new people can do really well at this if we support each other and work as a team.
Someone with a lot of energy is really good on stage.
That the people in the theatre are like family... a family of odd people... of special people... where nobody is too weird.  

When I hear things like this from new, young improvisors something inside of me lights up.  I feel like I am doing exactly what I need to be doing. 

Also, something that I am super proud of is that I feel like I can teach more naturally now.  Almost as naturally as I can in English (well, not quite but you get the point).  I can pause them and make suggestions.  I can give better examples.  I can participate in scenes and actually mostly understand what is happening.

When I started this group, I could not do any of these things.  Fake it till you make it, right?  Talk about an advanced Spanish class....

Also, I've learned first hand that theatre and improv can be a great way to advance a language.... like for immigrant students who struggle with English.  Now, I see what games are easier to play with lower language skills... and what games are more difficult.  I think that will probably be important information for me to know one day.  For example: "Translator" - with gibberish - is a really good game for a beginner in a language.  Also, "Collectivo" where most of the acting is just matching characters.  I like playing these games because they aren't stressful at all for me in Spanish.  Then, there are good skill building games in language like "Word Association" where you say a word and pass the ball.  The next person has to say the first word that comes to mind based on your word only... nobody's words before it.  While I still have no idea what some words they say mean, anything is right... so there you go :]  haha

Today, when so many new students came, it could have thrown me off.  I didn't plan to start a new improv course today.... but, that's ok.  I can do it.  And guess what, I had two awesome leaders who can explain what we are doing and why even better than I can.  And that, as a teacher, is the coolest part of all.  When my students who have been with me for six months can teach the class, I know I have done my job.

When I hear them using the same words I used and examples of their own... I know they get it. And having the language barrier (where I'd rather have them explain anyway) is actually helpful, because it allows me to pass on leadership better.  I know they can communicate the idea better than I can.  I'm honestly just impressed that the idea got across to them in the first place :]  I remember there was a lot of gesturing and miming and trial and error when I first started the class.

Also, I wanted to just share that last class - when it was just the two of them and I - we did long form improv for the first time (the kind where you build an environment stating one piece at a time and then start the scene)... and it was awesome. It made me so excited and proud because it was the first time I had ever taught long form... and definitely the first time I had played it in Spanish.  We did it, together.  We had scenes that wen on for half an hour... That is huge for young improvisors. And they even asked if we could do it again this week.  Then, they realized that we couldn't do it with all the beginners.  Instead of being disappointed, though, they stepped up - telling me what games they thought would work well for the beginners.  I love them. 

So, there we were... playing "Collectivo" - a really good beginner game, and the new character entered with a gun.  Now, that could have been the death of the scene.  But, everyone else in the car - in order to match that character- also pulled out a gun.  What could have been a horrible scene turned into a hilarious car ride where everyone was pointing a gun at each other as they traveled.  Everyone in the audience was laughing uncontrollably because it was so ridiculous.

Finally, at the end of the class, Alexis (the person in charge of the theatre) told me that one of the girls was sent by PANI (Child Services).  I didn't even know they knew about us... but apparently they are sending kids who are at risk.  So cool!!!! She's the one who started the day so angry and ended with a huge smile :]  I had wondered why at the beginning - when we did "roses and thorns" (an exercise I start with to share how our weeks were) she said that she had a difficult week and looked like she was going to cry... I told her I hoped it would get better. When I had asked her how she knew about the class, she just said somebody told her to come.  Now I understand.  I am so happy that she found us.

This is why I love improv and why I love teaching it.  Improv for social change.  Improv as life.