by Ted Sherman

Created on: August 15, 2008   Last Updated: August 20, 2008

Each of us begins to practice improvisation almost from the moment we learn to talk. We create imaginary conversations with toys in our cribs, imitating words our parents say to us. By practice, we evolve our individual start of speech and imagination.

When we get a bit older, from age two onward, we set up improvisation exercises with favorite toys for creating games and scenarios. Then with siblings and playmates, our improvisations get more sophisticated. We act out scenes as we become an imaginary squad of soldiers, parents of a family, sports heroes, singing stars and famous dancers. Our improvisations are limitless as we expand interpersonal relationships, language skills and growing knowledge of the world around us.

Pre-school kids are natural improvisers, and by practicing the natural art constantly in play alone and with other kids, they gain self confidence and growing abilities for quick thinking and originality. That gives them a solid basis for everything they'll need in the years ahead for education, interpersonal relationships and careers.

Opportunities to learn acting and improvisation in school and college are almost limitless for those students who enroll in acting classes and on-campus drama clubs. Very often, when auditioning for school productions, as well as in the commercial show business world, acting candidates are assigned a subject and, without prior notice, told to do several minutes of improvisation on it.

There are many other opportunities for students to originate and hone their improvisation skills. For instance, on a long road trip, kids can look out the window and make up stories about the sights, animals and people they see. When my daughter was in high school, we did that and similar situations.

I can remember one particular improvisation exercise we performed together. We sat on a bench on the Atlantic City Boardwalk. As people strolled by, each of us made up stories about their lives, careers, personalities and domestic problems. We competed to see which of us could create the most outlandish descriptions and imaginary conversations, and it was great fun. Incidentally, my now-grown-up daughter is a writer-producer on ... you guessed it ... a major TV comedy program, where there are often visiting comedians who do improvisation acts.

If you're really interested in practicing your improvisation skills, show up on open mike night at comedy clubs ... one of the most famous with branches in Los Angeles and Manhattan is The Improv

• 1
• 2
• Next Page >>