To most people, when the term 'improv' comes to mind, he or she thinks of a group of performers standing on a stage and making up scenes as they go.
But in one on-campus Winter Term course led by Deborah Geis, associate professor of English, students do not just act on a stage; they learn how to use improv in their everyday lives.
"The central goal of this class is to make people more comfortable thinking on their feet. The idea that someone hands you something and you go with it," Geis said.
The theme, "just go with it" prevails in this Winter Term course. Students are constantly asked to step outside of their comfort zone and accomplish tasks that they may be ill prepared for. But these challenges are all intended to hone the skills and witty thinking of the class.
The practice of improvisation teaches people how to stay calm, not to overthink and to come up with something great, without having much time to think about it.
"When I get asked to draw or do something I don't normally do, I get a little intimidated," first-year student Nick Abbott said. I'm not the best drawer, but I have to just come up with something on the fly and make the most of it."
These types of quick-thinking skills apply directly to everyday life.
"I have a hard time thinking of any profession that doesn't involve improvisation," Geis said.
Doctors, lawyers, journalists or any profession really, all face various obstacles on a given workday. The key to becoming successful in any profession is being able to face that obstacle, accept it as it is and "just go with it," as Geis would say.
One game played in this class is structured to give the students a realistic version of improv. Students are split up into two groups of inventors and sales people, as well as a panel of inventors. The inventors are given a bundle of pipe cleaners and are told to create something and pitch it to the inventors. Whichever group invents the best product wins the game.
First-year student Charles Cook knows the burden of thinking on the fly in this improv class.
"You know, you're in this class thinking 'it's just improv how hard can it be?'"
Cook said. "Then the games become harder and harder to keep up with on the spot and all of the sudden you can get stuck with nothing to say."
The overall structure of the class is definitely meant for the students to have fun,but in the process students learn valuable life skills that will help them as they continue their lives in various industries.
By Jan. 22, 2014, the students enrolled in this class will have learned life skills, all through the fun and excitement of improvisation.