The six golden rules of improvisation | Claudine Ullman | TEDxJohannesburg

Summary

Claudia Norman shares her journey from being told she was 'too large' for netball to becoming a professional improviser. She explains the transformative power of 'yes' in improv and its six golden rules, emphasizing the importance of play, active listening, embracing failure, and trust. Her company, Jittery Citizens, applies these principles to enhance teamwork and creativity in corporate settings, advocating for an 'improv life' that fosters positivity and innovation.

Takeaways

• 🎭 Embrace Authenticity: Claudia Norman shares her journey of self-discovery, emphasizing the importance of being true to oneself and finding joy in authenticity.
• 🏀 Overcoming Rejection: Norman was told she was too large for the netball team, but she defied this rejection and tried out anyway, showing resilience in the face of adversity.
• 🎤 The Power of Improvisation: Claudia discovered her passion for public speaking and improvisation, which helped her express herself and find her calling.
• 🤹‍♂️ Improv as a Life Skill: Improvisation is presented as a skill that can be learned and applied to everyday life, not just for performers.
• 🌟 The Six Golden Rules of Improv: Norman outlines six key principles of improv that can enhance thinking, relationships, and overall life experience.
• 🙌 The 'Yes' Attitude: Saying 'yes' in improv fosters a supportive environment, validates ideas, and encourages creativity to flow.
• 🤡 Embracing Playfulness: Norman encourages being silly and weird, as play is a crucial aspect of creativity that is often lost in adulthood.
• 👂 Active Listening: Improv requires full attention and presence, promoting active listening that can be applied to enhance communication in daily life.
• 💡 Learning from Failure: Improv teaches us to see failure as an opportunity for growth and creativity, rather than something to fear.
• 🔮 Trusting Intuition: Trusting one's initial impulses is a key component of improv, which can lead to better decision-making and group cohesion.
• 🤝 Supporting Each Other: In improv, every person is a supporting actor, highlighting the importance of teamwork and collaboration in both professional and personal relationships.

Q & A

Who is the speaker in the provided transcript?

The speaker in the provided transcript is Claudia Norman.

What sport was Claudia told she was too large for during primary school?

Claudia was told she was too large to make the netball team during primary school.

What position did Claudia initially get on the netball team?

Claudia initially got a position on the netball C team Reserve.

What was the turning point for Claudia in realizing her passion for public speaking?

The turning point for Claudia was when she froze during an impromptu section of a public speaking competition and then surrendered to improvise, discovering the joy of being authentic.

What is the name of the company Claudia works with, and what do they specialize in?

Claudia works with a company called Jittery Citizens, which specializes in improv comedy, corporate entertaining, entertainment, team building, and training.

What are the six golden rules of improv mentioned by Claudia?

The transcript does not list all six golden rules of improv, but it mentions some key principles such as saying yes, playing, active listening, learning to fail, and trusting oneself and others.

Why is saying 'yes' important in improv according to Claudia?

Saying 'yes' is important in improv because it validates participants, puts them in an open and receptive space, allows for the conversation to flow, and ideas to move forward.

What does Claudia suggest we lose as adults that children naturally possess?

Claudia suggests that as adults, we lose the ability to play and be present in the moment, which children naturally possess.

How does Claudia define 'active listening' in the context of improv?

Active listening in the context of improv means listening with the entire body and being, losing all form of agenda, becoming open and receptive to change, and living in the present moment.

What does Claudia believe is the liberating aspect of improv?

Claudia believes that the liberating aspect of improv is the acceptance of failure as an opportunity for something magical to happen, and the understanding that there are no mistakes in a creative space.

How does Claudia connect the principles of improv to personal and professional relationships?

Claudia connects the principles of improv to personal and professional relationships by emphasizing the importance of supporting each other, making the other person look like a genius, and creating an environment of trust and positive social health.

What advice does Claudia give on living an 'improv life'?

Claudia advises to apply the principles of improv by becoming 'yes' people, actively listening, embracing failure, and trusting oneself and others to maintain a positive outlook, enhance relationships, and make life amazing.