A lot of people think they are either creative or not. My own experience of art class when I was in secondary school was not good. I labeled myself “uncreative” and kept myself in that box for many many years to come.
Only when I realised that creativity is defined in more than just artistic terms, did I fulfill my own creative potential. I was able to become abundant with my unique talents. For me, abundance is the main purpose of creativity. How can we be more abundant? Well by sharing our talents, experience and wisdom with the people around us for one. Another is to expand, grow and stretch our abilities! This is the hard part.
I enjoy stand-up comedy and spontaneous humour. As a professional speaker and MC, I am known as very sharp in finding the humourous side of a situation. I enjoyed shows like Who’s line is it anyway? - a UK show on improvisational comedy that ran for 10 seasons in the UK and about 10 in the US. The show format is based on a number of improvisational theater set pieces. Add in competitive fun which was derived by Keith Johnstone (another Englishman) in the 1970s Theatresports.
I have hosted stand-up nights and guest improv troupes (Baby Wants Candy) over the last two years, and enjoyed the shows tremendously. After thinking about hosting an improv night in Shanghai for a long time, I finally took the plunge. I want to create a show that mixes local and international talent and offers opportunities to learn about the essentials of improv: acceptance and creativity.
After every rehearsal and show, I feel different. I see the funnier side of life - even in the crush of Shanghai traffic. I can riff off situations and turn them into more humourous outcomes. I feel more in the flow. Improv can really help build up some powerful soft skills: working with a team, listening, creative and strategic thinking and the basic performance skills of voice, body gestures and character-playing.
We all know the expression “feel the fear and do it anyway”. Recently, I have become convinced that our greatest success lies in the things we run away from. Improv is a stretch, it can be scary but it really makes me feel more creative.
To see more about Improv China. See their Facebook group. Or web site.
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