AGIS Conference 2024 Potsdam

Creating positive, playful connections within a group motivates and energizes a class to collaborate with trust. Improv Comedy is based on principles of 'group-mind' where everyone works and plays together under an agreed-upon set of rules. This workshop involves actively playing a selection of 'easy-to-learn, easy-to-teach' exercises inspired by the comedy improv mind-set that can be used in the classroom to create rapport, challenge focusing skills and enliven the playful connections between students.
These Ice-breakers and Group Exercises can be used (with adaptations) with students of all ages. Based on Viola Spolin´s seminal exercises in the classroom, theories of Applied Improv and 'Short-form Improvisational Comedy' performance techniques, these games/exercises thrive on soft-skill communication techniques that encourage risk-taking and finding the freedom in creative play where there is no 'right' or 'wrong'; it´s a recognition of the creative child within us who still wants to play and of the teacher´s task of empowering students to connect to each other in non-judgemental ways.
The workshop includes a short discussion addressing the challenges in encouraging reticent students to 'let loose', tools and cuing to control exuberance and how to rein energy in at the end, so that students can focus on the tasks ahead.