"Zoomprov"

I feel fortunate for the Covid 19 pandemic. Not that I am happy about how many people got deathly ill or died, but it introduced me to new improv teachers because everything had to be taught at a distance. I have not gotten Covid in its multitude of forms and have been fortunate enough to get every vaccine and booster as soon as they were available. Of course, we are all fortunate that video conferencing was right there ready to unite us at a distance when we were in lockdown. Most of my improv was done on Zoom, therefore, I call it “Zoomprov” and to this day I love this form of improv though, granted, some of the possibilities are missing in this venue. It is amazing to me how we improvisers all adapt because we embrace change and creatively modify our art. The good teachers or leaders I’ve found on Zoom, do just that with all sorts of various short-form games, exercises, and long-form, as well.

Before the pandemic, I was just getting started teaching improv in person. Since then, I have not been able to muster enough people or found a great setting in which to teach it, yet. I have had improv parties at my home, though and I must say, it makes for a delightful gathering of friends. I request no drinking or eating until the play is done.

I also intend to teach online because so many folks like me have found the pleasure of getting to play with people from all over the world. After all, I am living on two different islands on two opposite sides of the world. It is a great way to enjoy others and their cultures though in other languages than English it would be difficult for me to teach.

I was once a visual arts teacher but I never thought I would be a good English as a Second Language teacher. I still wince a bit when people use English poorly and I’m not proud of that. Language is ever-evolving and in improv, we go with the flow.

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