I Do, You Do, We Do - Running Effective Exercises

What makes some improv games and exercises run smoothly, and others go off the rails?

Come learn some concrete tools, and a structure for how to facilitate. We’ll make sure your approach is solid, so your participants will learn a lot and have fun!

Who is this for?

Have you taught or facilitated exercises before, even in a practice group?

Yes -> You’ll learn a concrete framework you can apply to your facilitation toolbelt, to be a more consistent facilitator.

Not yet -> This is a great way to learn!

Prerequisite: Any level 1 improv class

In this workshop:

• We’ll cover the steps you’ll need to take for an exercise to go smoothly.
• You’ll learn the most common improv facilitation pitfalls, and how to avoid them.
• Specifically, you’ll get to practice Casey’s five guidelines:  (1) “Next, we’ll do X” (2) “Show, don’t tell” (3) “One focus” (4) “Specify the order” and (5) “Reflections”. 
• You’ll get to practice facilitating exercises, noticing what works and doesn’t work for you.

Workplace Applications

These techniques apply outside of improv, too! You can apply this structure in the workplace, as tools for effective meetings.

Preparation (before the event)

1. Choose a few games / exercises you’d like to share as examples
2. Think through how you would facilitate those games / exercises

Homework (after the event)

Write up a script for yourself for how you would facilitate a certain exercise.

1. Choose an exercise you’d like to work on facilitating.
2. Write out a draft script for how you’d facilitate it.
3. Review the draft, making sure you have covered all of the main points (all 6).
4. Try it out next time you’re in a practice group, etc.

You won’t have to fully write out a script for every exercise you ever teach — but doing this a few times will help you refine your voice, rhythm, and style.

About your facilitator:

Casey Watts (he/him) loves musical improv! In a given show, you’ll see him alternating between singing on stage and doing back-line instrumental accompaniment on accordion.

Casey is also a long-time teacher, including: musical improv, dancing, web development, and technical skills.

Casey can play Lady Gaga’s Bad Romance on at least 15 instruments — and he owns an instrument in every color of the rainbow. Imagine someone walking down the street singing, dancing, and blowing bubbles – that’s Casey!

About the Venue:

The Highwire Center is Highwire Improv's home base in the Highlandtown neighborhood of Baltimore! Part of Highlandtown Main Street and the Highlandtown Arts District, The Highwire Center is home to classes, free workshops, shows, community events, corporate training, and more! The Highwire Center is accessible, with ramp access available, an ADA restroom, and flat transit throughout the space.

About Highwire Improv:

Highwire Improv’s mission is to steward a community of artists committed to growth, collaboration, joy, and justice — in Baltimore and around the world — through improvisational theater.

Learn more at https://www.highwireimprov.com

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