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…

Tip & Exercise: The 1-minute bad poem

I 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’.

5 videos with 5 exercises - In The Meantime

That is how I this week I followed my own advice of how to stay happy and sane. I executed the 5 simple exercises from the In The Meantime Guide.

Where did I get that guide? Here: www.lauradoorneweerd.com/free-guide. For free!

I made it for myself and shared it with others, who also needed an fun and simple way to work on their craft.

Last week I went on live video every day. To talk about the 10 minute exercise and actually do it myself. Here is what I got out of it:

1. Feel the feels

After free writing on 'Why I love improv' I followed the brainstorm exercise…