By Sonnjea Blackwell
Okay, this is your last official warning: the Held2gether Intro to Improv Comedy class that starts this Saturday (July 9th, 2011, that is) is thisclose to being full. There are a couple spaces left, but they aren't going to last so hurry up and register at the website so you aren't one of the sad people who missed out.
In case you aren't sure what to expect in an intro to improv class, I'm gonna tell you. Cuz that's just how I roll. First of all, you'll learn the fundamentals of improv, namely agreement, information and commitment. Believe it or not, there are fun games and exercises that help you learn those things while you're just being goofy and having fun... and all of a sudden you think to yourself, "Hey! I learned something even though I was just being goofy and having fun! Weird!"
You'll also learn to help your partner out by adding information, instead of always asking questions. Sure, it sounds easy. But try to go through your day without asking questions. Not so easy after all. One continuing student says that when he learned to make statements instead of asking questions, his wife started liking him more. "Honey, do you want me to take out the trash?" puts the burden on her to say, "Yes, doofus, of course I want you to take out the trash; it's not going to take itself out." But now that he makes it a statement, "Honey, I'm going to take out the trash now," she doesn't have to think up creative names to call him every evening.
Of course, the most important skills you'll learn in the H2g Intro to Improv class are self-confidence and trust. When it's your turn and you and your partner make something hilarious out of absolutely nothing, you learn that you can do pretty much anything. And then you can apply your new-found skills in any area of your life, including with the dozen or so new friends you'll make in class, some of whom will probably end up becoming the best friends you've ever had. Because improv is, when you get right down to it, magical.
And you don't want to miss out on magic, do you?
