We wanted yinz to get to know our new teachers. So here’s 5 questions to learn a little more about their point of view on improvisation and life.
Here is our new Kids and Teens teacher, Aaron Crutchfield’s answers:
What drew you to improv, and how has it impacted your life outside the theater?
“I think the biggest tractor beam for me and improvisation was that I could be part of an ensemble that would be brave enough to spontaneously create theater. No countless hours spent memorizing lines, or getting it wrong with blocking, or staying inside a dark black wall painted space– just jumping up and listening to somebody else and playing off of them. As I started to make progress down the improv theater path then I found the biggest challenge and reward to be creative expression. Straight improvisation doesn’t necessarily pay off your mortgage unless you’re TJ and Dave, but I did find that I could share theater art skills with students, from grade school level all the way to corporate training, and have a positive impact that made people feel good about expressing their ideas & cooperating.I also love improvisation because it’s so much like sports and I really love sports.“
What can students expect from your class—and what do you hope they walk away with?
“In my classes, I first try to teach ensemble and support and friendship. Then, I try to add on experiences to learn from, exercise that provide those experiences, and an opportunity to be brave and grow.. and, finally fun. I love that my classes can help people remember how to be playful. In some, I want people to walk away from my classes, knowing a bit about how to improvise and collaborate with another person on stage. And hopefully a new friend or three along with a little stronger self-confidence “
What’s one of your favorite improv games or exercises—and why do you love it?
“I really do love the short form game “185 blanks.” I like it because it does focus on word play and bravery. It is a Line game that helps you too open the door to your subconscious mind in a dangerous way. When new players sometimes improvise they think I don’t know what to say, this is a game where you start off with a preamble so you do know what to say, but then you MUST tack on some kind of ending. The ending starts to become more clever once you practice, but even for me every so often I just come up blank and so you just have to respond to that moment. Not every improviser has to get a laugh every time they say a line, but when you have the audience agreeing to give you a groan, when you can’t come up with one, that can be just as rewarding.”
Why do you think improv is important right now?
“I think improvisation is an easy people skill to cultivate and nurture. It’s important for young people to be able to connect with each other and communicate beyond just words and beyond screens by just being present with each other and finding ways to listen and agree.”
If a kid is nervous to try improv for the first time, what would you say to them?
“I would say this improv class is about playing games with others and helping people laugh and have a good time. If they’re still feeling nervous, I would say it’s normal to be nervous. We want to be accepted as people and Improv more than any other art is about cooperating AND acceptance. I would probably finish by saying trying Improv is like trying a new game. Maybe you don’t like checkers maybe you don’t like chess maybe you like Candyland or Scrabble, or maybe you like hide and seek or hockey. All those games just like Improv boundaries and goals and in our Improv class will teach you how to have fun playfully achieving those goals or at least trying to. In baseball if you only get a hit 1/3 of the time, you’re doing great. While in Improv, if you don’t get a hit every third time, your friends on stage will help you playfully Enjoy those ones you didn’t hit.”