Remember when you were a little kid and diving into the deep end of the swimming pool was kind of a big deal? I had that slightly thrilling, slightly terrifying experience again recently at the 99% Conference when I attended a class with Charlie Todd, founder of the crafty improvisation troupe Improv Everywhere. He taught basic strategies for improvising and then had attendees volunteer to perform our own mini-sketches. For those of us with no performing experience, getting “on stage” was a bit frightening.
But it wasn’t that hard! One of the basic tenets of improv comedy is known as “Yes, and…” It’s a protocol that allows for anything to happen, and it goes like this: No matter what your fellow actors present to you, instead of negating it, belittling it, or disagreeing with it, your job is to say, “Yes, and…” Accept the scenario as it’s presented to you (regardless of where you wanted it to go), and then to add to it. Volley back with something your fellow players can respond to. [read]
I’ve been part of team-building exercises using the Yes…and technique and it’s been terrific!