Teaching improv to teenagers difficult? Let’s talk.
I started teaching teenagers when I still was one myself. At age 19 I got a (paid) job to teach students only a few years younger. I am now almost double that age, and let me tell you: teaching teenagers is not easier (or harder) when you are younger.
Teaching teenagers is just… Different.
One thing is certain…
Read MoreI know you. You want to do well, as an improv teacher. How do I know this? Well, you are reading this section on my blog. You want to keep getting better.
Your students are the same. They want to do well. But...
This wish to be ‘good’ can be the greatest enemy for improvisers. An improv scene can definitely be good (great even!).
At times, we need to remind our students (and maybe ourselves) that we need to be okay with the possibility of not being good. Especially for my fellow high achievers out there: get comfortable at being ‘bad’.
How? If the wish for ‘being good’ gets in the way of their play, let your students try to play bad scenes. Or introduce a fun game to stretch their comfort level with ‘bad work’.
Read MoreComing up with new exercises is a challenge for so many improv teachers. (Well, unless you always teach the same. But that is not me) This is why I started this section.
However, over the years I learned: keep it simple.
Your warmup game does not need 17 different rules. You can just play tag.
Your scene work does not need complex setups. Start with an inspiring suggestion (I never get bored of ‘a location’) and just play.
Especially when you teach something new, it actually helps…
I love podcasts so much and I want to share that love with you. I selected some of my favorites. They are made with care for storytelling, timing, musicality, and immersing us in a new world.
Dolly Parton’s America
Dolly is one of the most delightful human beings to listen to. And she seems to connect to all kinds of people: young, old, progressive, conservative, liberal, religious, etc.
Read MoreHey, I know. Getting your improv students to move and not stand & talk all the time is hard.
But... getting your improv students to move in an ONLINE class? Even harder.
Maybe you don't even know which exercises would work for that.
Let me help you out!
I have tips for more movement in your classes. Some are big and ridiculous. Some are small and easy.
Read MoreWhat is great about improv, is that every improviser is different. What is difficult about improv, is…. that every improviser is different. When we are teaching a group of improvisers, we might run into this particular challenge.
We look around the room and we see how our students are different. For instance: some people need to learn to take initiative, others need to learn to give space. There are exercises to train ‘taking initiative’ and there are exercises to train ‘giving space’.
Read MoreOne year into the pandemic is not easy. For almost anyone.
I consider myself a relentless optimist, and wow… Is that part of me being challenged! While this is the most important time to take care of yourself
That is why in this video/podcast I will share with you different ways how I stay sane, and how I work on my confidence. Because standing still is not really my thing.
I hope sharing these with you can give you the inspiration to find what makes you happy, and feel great (or just a little better) about yourself.
Read MoreIs it better to play ridiculous failing games as a warmup? Or do complex musical scales?
In this lesson, I am sharing with you 3 angles to find the perfect warmup for your workshop. And I am giving a few examples for each of them.
This is especially great if you find it hard to make up your own exercises or feel like you don't know enough exercises.
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