Applied Improv Concept: Discovery

Last Friday, I facilitated an applied improv webinar presentation, a two-credit continuing education (CE) course, to my fellow social workers via the National Association of Social Workers - NYC chapter. So fun! It’s a presentation around writing and applied improv and a CE I’ve facilitated many many times over the last 2.5 years. How do I keep it fresh for both me, the presenter and the facilitator, and for my audience?

One key idea: Discovery.

Ever been to a presentation where the presenter just droned on and on? The presenter is clearly qualified and knows their stuff but due to their boredom with their topic or their presentation, they’re just ticking boxes to get to the end. There’s little eye contact, the audience’s attention is scattered; there’s no surprise, there’s no excitement, and there’s nothing new.

Even if the information is new to you, your notes will be lackluster because the presenter’s lack of excitement found its way onto your page. There’s no “aha” moment for you the audience, because the presenter didn’t build in an “aha” moment for themeless. There’s no discovery.

How to structure your presentation?

The key point is to change at least one element of your presentation—this is a manageable, achievable goal that can revitalize your connection to the material you’re presenting.

Suggestions:

• Add a current, relevant mainstream media story; link and discuss

• Add a new image or graphic that gets the point across and bonus points if it makes you laugh

• Add a new illustrative research study that excites you and is cutting edge

• Add a new case study about a client that fresh and that you’re still thinking about and processing

What do I do?

I added a new applied improvisation exercise to my CE writing presentation. It’s an exercise I’ve played but one I’ve never facilitated. It was exciting and different and new. And if it failed—as in I botched the instructions and everyone was confused, or no one liked it, or no one got value out of it—that failure is an excellent learning experience for me as a presenter and a great modeling tool for how to handle failure for my audience. Especially as improvisation is about accepting failures as gifts, any so-called failure can lead to a dynamic discussion about how to use that failure. Clinically, any failure by the clinician is another gift, offer, and emotional opening for a client/practitioner connection and conversation.

Case example:

One of the social workers during the presentation had this exact issue—they were avoiding writing a grant proposal because they were cutting and pasting old material and weren’t excited by any of it. I suggested once they had all the old copy in place, that they add new material, a new illustration of need, a new dispo about a client. During one of the writing blocks of this applied improv webinar CE presentation, they did just that! A task that they had been dragging out for weeks was closer to being finished because they reconnected to the excitement of the work, the cause, and the creative part of writing (yes, even a grant proposal).

Discovery, it’s one key idea to grab the audience’s attention and refresh your interest in your topic. It’s also the cornerstone to any solid creative writing.

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The new exercise I deployed is called “Made-Up Certifications.” I learned it at continuing education course for social workers facilitated by Jude Treder-Wolff, LCSW, CGP, CPAI. Facilitating “Made-Up Certifications” with professionals who already have lots of letters after their names is super fun. It introduces the improvisation core principle of “Yes, And” and it gives structure for players to get to know each other better. And playing with different kinds of made-up certifications gets everyone into a creative and playful mindset!

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Bonus: Here’s how you play Made-Up Certifications (the applied improvisation game I added that was new for me and very successful):

Player 1 gives a two-three letter credential after Player 2's name and asks what those letters stand for. Player 2 defines those letters and justifies them and then passes along to the next player.

Example: 

Player 1: "Jane, I see you have the letters QRT after your name. I never heard of that credential. What does it stand for?"

Player 2:“Yes, I'm very proud of my Quota of Ridiculous Time credential. I can find time in even the most crowded schedule, especially for snacks and naps.”

Player 2 gives a two-three letter credential after Player 3's name and asks what those letters stand for. And you continue around the circle. Can be played in person and on Zoom.

*If this is a new group, after the imaginary credentials are established, encourage the player to share an actual true thing about themselves and their real certifications.

If you try “Made-Up Certifications,” let me know in the comments!

Picture used with permission, 2022.