ABOUT
Why do Improvisation?
I like to encourage people to take up improvisation because I know it’s enriching, and that everyone can do it at some useful and beneficial level. Not everyone will develop it into the art form, many come along with no aspiration of performing at all. but they all discover how practically useful it is in life, they find it improves their social and communication skills and makes them more creative generally. Most importantly it helps you put the ‘fear of failure’ into perspective, in fact it teaches us how essential it to learning. I can't tell you why you should do improvisation, everyone who comes have their different reasons but it seems to satisfy their motives.
But don’t take my word for it. I put two questions to the Claqueur Players - What do you get from doing Impro? Why should others try it? These were their responses
What Do You Get From Doing Impro?
Paul A deeper understanding of relationships - in all contexts and all situations.
Chris Improvisation makes me smile and feel alive, I love and fear the getting up with no idea what is going to happen in equal
measure. That is what makes it so exciting. Everyone you work with is different and so every scene we play is different.
Dan Improvisation makes you a better creative collaborator. We're generally too precious with our own ideas, but if we listen
to what others have to offer and focus on building on those offers, it makes for a better idea that benefits from more than
one viewpoint.
Sheila It keeps my little grey cells ticking over, and its fun being with people who have a very well developed sense of the ridiculous.
John I find Impro incredibly playful and calming as, when improvising, the only world that exists is the one you are discovering on stage. I suffer with anxiety and when I’m improvising, it is genuinely the only time that I don’t worry about anything. This is
the opposite of non-improvisers’ perceptions of what they’d possibly feel when on stage.
Gilly When I was first interested in the Impro Group in 2011, I had recently semi-retired from the Financial Sector and was
teaching English as a Foreign Language to Adults. I had had 4 years experience of presenting on live Community Radio (ARA -
in Luxembourg) but was still very conscious of my conditioning (Convent-educated 'to be seen and not heard' and to 'think
before I spoke') - and I needed and desperately wanted to be more spontaneous. Though some may beg to differ, I am sure
that Claqueur is having the desired effect on me! I am still working at it!
Scott I get an exciting sense of free-fall in front of an audience. Improvisation requires so much trust and faith in your teammates
that is almost impossible to come out of a show without a sense of camaraderie
Martin I love improvisation because it challenges me and engages my need to get out of my own skin and be someone else, without
the fear of forgetting my lines. I try not to be nervous before a performance, because fear is based on worry about future
events and with Impro one doesn’t know what’s going to happen until after it’s happened.”
Kate Endless variety and intrigue, we are always learning new things about each other and ourselves. Led by Jon, we keep stretching
our limits without realising it and have developed beautifully trusting, generous and inclusive relationships within the group. I
have learnt how to fail in a safe space and how to support others through listening, skills which I transfer back into everyday
life.
Jill Paul is the main reason I joined Impro in the first place. I had been along to some of the 'shows' you used to put on after a
weekend workshop in both East Grinstead and at St Barnabas, which left me intrigued. My whole life is very much family based
but when Moira died I had a lot of spare time on my hands but no links to the local world. Paul had encouraged me to join the
choir (he was also a member at that time) because he knows I love to sing. It wasn't long before he asked the question about
coming along to Impro. This was something so completely out of my safe comfort zone and very scared but I decided to 'give
it a go'. I must admit there have been a few times when I have felt so inadequate and useless that I have almost left the group
but something has made me continue. I am not too sure what that 'something' is but I am sure coming to Impro regularly
which is so different and challenging compared with the rest of my life is 'good for me'!! Every time I jump up to take part in a
'game' or 'sketch' my heart is pounding but funnily enough I do enjoy myself, sometimes more than other times. I still feel
inadequate but I listen to your explanations and try to do better. I know I fail a lot of the times but probably other people think
they do also...Paul certainly does although I don't think so! I don't always feel a 'real' member of the group especially as my
family commitments stop me coming on trips and to shows etc. but as it is a fairly big group now that probably doesn't impact
too much.
Richard The primary thing that I get out of performing in an impro group is that it's a lot of fun. It's fun partly because it's
spontaneous, partly because it's creative, and partly because it pushes us all out of our comfort zone and has us taking risks.
And it suits a lazy narcissist like me - I like to be on stage in the spotlight but I can't be bothered to learn lines. Also the
camaraderie is great and it involves a steep learning curve in how to genuinely cooperate with people. Plus I would sign up
for pretty much anything Jon Oram was teaching, even if it were a macramé class
Why should others try Impro?
Paul You're not on your own, it's about the group. Everybody should be there to make everybody else look good. It’s not about you
having to think up something funny on the spot, it’s about working together and creating stories from a collective
imagination.
Dan Improvisation diminishes the fear of failure. We are often driven to succeed in life with failure not being an option, but
through failing - and even embracing failure - we learn more and grow much faster. Losing the fear of failure helps you stop
"playing it safe" and instead seek out exciting new ideas.
John When people ask about trying impro, I tell them that they already improvise in every new situation they’re in but use established rules to make the situation successful. I often find that people, who know I improvise, will play along when
conversations go off on tangents and we find ourselves almost taking on characters. That’s when I point out that they’re
“doing” impro and discuss it more.
Gilly Because we have to listen to each other in order to be able to work together, on Monday nights one has to leave one's own
troubles at home and concentrate on what's going on and being said. I always leave the Club with a warm feeling - and
sometimes, when some moments have worked particularly well for the Group, that feeling is even warmer! Many of us say
that Impro is great therapy.
Scott I have never met so many lovely, giving, and hilarious people as I have doing Impro. So, yes, give it a go. You’ll be surprised
how much saying “yes, and. . .” could change your life for the better.
Kate What have you got to lose? Only your dignity, pride and self-respect. What have you got to gain? The capacity to listen, the
courage to fail and the boundless humanity of your fellow improvisers. It is not about performance or being funny, it is about
paying attention and being honest, looking after each other and playing games. Child’s play
Chris When someone asks me whether they should try Impro, and voices their own doubts, I would say that, at our weekly meetings
and regular shows, and with Jon's expert tuition and care, we are learning to listen to each other and work together. Our
'mission', in fact is to look after one another. The objective of the exercise is to relax and enjoy oneself and one another and
definitely not to try to be funny. It doesn't always work but, in general, Impro is great fun! This Claqueur can
definitely say, with feeling, 'Vive Impro'!
Jill Bottom line is I enjoy trying to learn the Impro 'techniques' even though I am scared every time I stand up! As I become more
familiar with the longer form games I am enjoying them although I do get anxious depending on who I may be playing
opposite and yes I am scared of failure and so want to succeed!! However when people ask about joining I am always very up
beat with saying how scared etc I am but with a smile on my face and really saying about them coming along and trying it out
(especially on a workshop weekend with the back to basics approach) as I find it hard to describe it all.
Richard “To anyone who's thinking of trying to perform in impro but hasn't tried it yet, I would say "Give it a go. You have nothing
to lose, and possibly much to gain. You might discover that it's the most fun you can have with your clothes on."
But don’t take my word for it. I put two questions to the Claqueur Players - What do you get from doing Impro? Why should others try it? These were their responses
What Do You Get From Doing Impro?
Paul A deeper understanding of relationships - in all contexts and all situations.
Chris Improvisation makes me smile and feel alive, I love and fear the getting up with no idea what is going to happen in equal
measure. That is what makes it so exciting. Everyone you work with is different and so every scene we play is different.
Dan Improvisation makes you a better creative collaborator. We're generally too precious with our own ideas, but if we listen
to what others have to offer and focus on building on those offers, it makes for a better idea that benefits from more than
one viewpoint.
Sheila It keeps my little grey cells ticking over, and its fun being with people who have a very well developed sense of the ridiculous.
John I find Impro incredibly playful and calming as, when improvising, the only world that exists is the one you are discovering on stage. I suffer with anxiety and when I’m improvising, it is genuinely the only time that I don’t worry about anything. This is
the opposite of non-improvisers’ perceptions of what they’d possibly feel when on stage.
Gilly When I was first interested in the Impro Group in 2011, I had recently semi-retired from the Financial Sector and was
teaching English as a Foreign Language to Adults. I had had 4 years experience of presenting on live Community Radio (ARA -
in Luxembourg) but was still very conscious of my conditioning (Convent-educated 'to be seen and not heard' and to 'think
before I spoke') - and I needed and desperately wanted to be more spontaneous. Though some may beg to differ, I am sure
that Claqueur is having the desired effect on me! I am still working at it!
Scott I get an exciting sense of free-fall in front of an audience. Improvisation requires so much trust and faith in your teammates
that is almost impossible to come out of a show without a sense of camaraderie
Martin I love improvisation because it challenges me and engages my need to get out of my own skin and be someone else, without
the fear of forgetting my lines. I try not to be nervous before a performance, because fear is based on worry about future
events and with Impro one doesn’t know what’s going to happen until after it’s happened.”
Kate Endless variety and intrigue, we are always learning new things about each other and ourselves. Led by Jon, we keep stretching
our limits without realising it and have developed beautifully trusting, generous and inclusive relationships within the group. I
have learnt how to fail in a safe space and how to support others through listening, skills which I transfer back into everyday
life.
Jill Paul is the main reason I joined Impro in the first place. I had been along to some of the 'shows' you used to put on after a
weekend workshop in both East Grinstead and at St Barnabas, which left me intrigued. My whole life is very much family based
but when Moira died I had a lot of spare time on my hands but no links to the local world. Paul had encouraged me to join the
choir (he was also a member at that time) because he knows I love to sing. It wasn't long before he asked the question about
coming along to Impro. This was something so completely out of my safe comfort zone and very scared but I decided to 'give
it a go'. I must admit there have been a few times when I have felt so inadequate and useless that I have almost left the group
but something has made me continue. I am not too sure what that 'something' is but I am sure coming to Impro regularly
which is so different and challenging compared with the rest of my life is 'good for me'!! Every time I jump up to take part in a
'game' or 'sketch' my heart is pounding but funnily enough I do enjoy myself, sometimes more than other times. I still feel
inadequate but I listen to your explanations and try to do better. I know I fail a lot of the times but probably other people think
they do also...Paul certainly does although I don't think so! I don't always feel a 'real' member of the group especially as my
family commitments stop me coming on trips and to shows etc. but as it is a fairly big group now that probably doesn't impact
too much.
Richard The primary thing that I get out of performing in an impro group is that it's a lot of fun. It's fun partly because it's
spontaneous, partly because it's creative, and partly because it pushes us all out of our comfort zone and has us taking risks.
And it suits a lazy narcissist like me - I like to be on stage in the spotlight but I can't be bothered to learn lines. Also the
camaraderie is great and it involves a steep learning curve in how to genuinely cooperate with people. Plus I would sign up
for pretty much anything Jon Oram was teaching, even if it were a macramé class
Why should others try Impro?
Paul You're not on your own, it's about the group. Everybody should be there to make everybody else look good. It’s not about you
having to think up something funny on the spot, it’s about working together and creating stories from a collective
imagination.
Dan Improvisation diminishes the fear of failure. We are often driven to succeed in life with failure not being an option, but
through failing - and even embracing failure - we learn more and grow much faster. Losing the fear of failure helps you stop
"playing it safe" and instead seek out exciting new ideas.
John When people ask about trying impro, I tell them that they already improvise in every new situation they’re in but use established rules to make the situation successful. I often find that people, who know I improvise, will play along when
conversations go off on tangents and we find ourselves almost taking on characters. That’s when I point out that they’re
“doing” impro and discuss it more.
Gilly Because we have to listen to each other in order to be able to work together, on Monday nights one has to leave one's own
troubles at home and concentrate on what's going on and being said. I always leave the Club with a warm feeling - and
sometimes, when some moments have worked particularly well for the Group, that feeling is even warmer! Many of us say
that Impro is great therapy.
Scott I have never met so many lovely, giving, and hilarious people as I have doing Impro. So, yes, give it a go. You’ll be surprised
how much saying “yes, and. . .” could change your life for the better.
Kate What have you got to lose? Only your dignity, pride and self-respect. What have you got to gain? The capacity to listen, the
courage to fail and the boundless humanity of your fellow improvisers. It is not about performance or being funny, it is about
paying attention and being honest, looking after each other and playing games. Child’s play
Chris When someone asks me whether they should try Impro, and voices their own doubts, I would say that, at our weekly meetings
and regular shows, and with Jon's expert tuition and care, we are learning to listen to each other and work together. Our
'mission', in fact is to look after one another. The objective of the exercise is to relax and enjoy oneself and one another and
definitely not to try to be funny. It doesn't always work but, in general, Impro is great fun! This Claqueur can
definitely say, with feeling, 'Vive Impro'!
Jill Bottom line is I enjoy trying to learn the Impro 'techniques' even though I am scared every time I stand up! As I become more
familiar with the longer form games I am enjoying them although I do get anxious depending on who I may be playing
opposite and yes I am scared of failure and so want to succeed!! However when people ask about joining I am always very up
beat with saying how scared etc I am but with a smile on my face and really saying about them coming along and trying it out
(especially on a workshop weekend with the back to basics approach) as I find it hard to describe it all.
Richard “To anyone who's thinking of trying to perform in impro but hasn't tried it yet, I would say "Give it a go. You have nothing
to lose, and possibly much to gain. You might discover that it's the most fun you can have with your clothes on."