It sometimes sounds easier than it actually is: making stuff up on the spot. As teachers we can easily forget how for many our students the ‘just come up with something’ can be a huge task.

I have limitless faith in the ability of my students, but they themselves don’t always feel like that.

I know my hospital drama cast can list 7 names for medicines. But they block at the third.

I am confident my beginner students can find a character voice. But then they stay silent.

It is for those moments that I use…

👣 Babysteps for your first online workshop

Have you taught online yet? No?

Perfect! Then this is for you.

In this step-by-step plan I want to make the idea of an online workshop less overwhelming over you. Who knows, maybe it encourages you to give it a try (and if not: also fine!)

Whatever your reason is for not (yet) teaching online, I get you. In this video I talked about why you don’t have to like it. And let me also tell you:

You are not too late.

You do not need to be tech savvy.

You can find plenty people to join.

Find your topic

Let’s first start at the very beginning….

Improvising is great. Planning is great. Both are true.

Hey improviser,

Are you a planner?

When it comes to teaching improv, I am a total planner. Thinking about what a good arch is, which approach keeps it fresh, how to build on the previous and what the class needs. Doing this (on paper) is my happy place. I have so many thoughts about what entails good planning, I even developed my own framework for it in my teachers course.

I believe in being flexible and letting go of your plan. And I believe in being confident and committing to your plan.

Because both are true.

Let me explain.

Planning is great, but…

Tip & Exercise: You don’t have to know it all

A common misperception amongst improv teachers is that when it comes to the topic of the class we have to be all-knowing. While actually, I don’t believe that.

Can we then come unprepared?* No, but the focus of your class should be on your students learning. And you can definitely do that without being an expert on the topic.

Let’s say you want to teach a class on fairytale characters…

#lookingbackandsayingyes (while casually promoting yourself)

The end of the year is a great moment for looking back. To help you do so, I have made 5 fun questions for you that you can use to reflect.

How to use these questions?

For every question find a photo / gif / screenshot that you can use to illustrate your answer. Then share it on social media. One every day is probably smartest, but you can create them in 1 burst and then post them daily. Use #lookingbackandsayingyes to post yours (and find others).

Not your thing?

Wait! There is a bonus effect.

Choosing a workshop title: funny or clear?

“That title is hilarious!

So that is a no.”

I am on the phone with a teacher of our improv school.

Today we are brainstorming titles for her course. It will be a course combining improvised theatre and visual art, an exciting brand new course for total beginners. Finding a title is definitely one of my favourite tasks ever.

And so we throw titles back and forth…

English, improvisatie, international, Teaching improvLaura DoorneweerdDecember 11, 2020teaching, improv, improvisation, tips, title, name, courseComment

Tip & Exercise: Do the impossible

When faced with limitations, there are 2 things you can do. One is to think about how to work within these limitations.

Today I want you to consider a second option: going full-on in the direction of what is not possible. Because if improvisers can do one thing really well, it is to pretend a thing that is not there.

So how about next time when as a teacher you are faced with a limitation, lean into it. Play intimate love scenes at 2 meter distance. Set up a silent church scene while there are noisy constructions outside the workshop room. Climb onto each other in an online workshop.

3 mini coachings

For the next few days I will stream (on Facebook) mini coaching sessions with (aspiring) improv teachers. They will come into my Zoom room & we will talk about 1 topic they are struggling with.

You can tune in & learn.

Not just that...