The Space Between
For me, this exponential power of creativity is most evident in my work with Acting Improvisation, or Improv. While performing Improv for an audience, or leading Improv workshops, the focus is simple:
- start from a clean slate, a blank canvas (Being Present in the moment)
- accept what is being offered (Saying “Yes”)
- make an offer back (Saying “Yes and …”)
- fully listen to the response of that offer (Focus, Being Present)
- accept that response, which is the next offer (“Yes”)
- respond, make an offer (“Yes, and …”)
- repeat until done (Finding an end)
One person is not tasked with creating and directing the scene or story. Each player only has to add the next response and offer. And let the collective journey have it’s space to take shape.
At it’s best, the Improv journey is spontaneous, co-creative, co-supportive, and so much fun for those performing; as well as, the audience that is watching. By releasing individual expectations of how things should go (Controlling), we create the space for the co-creative muse to come into play. It is this shared “space between”, between each performer and between the performers and the audience, where the magic happens. The result is often exponentially more exciting, satisfying, and rewarding to watch; filled with surprising discoveries and delightful outcomes.