YES, AND: THE POWER OF IMPROV IN EVERYDAY LIFE | REBECCA WAHLS | TEDxCMU

Summary

The speaker explores the concept of improvisation, or 'improv', and its application beyond comedy to everyday life. They discuss the 'yes, and' rule, emphasizing its importance in fostering collaboration and mindfulness. Through examples and interactive scenarios, the talk illustrates how embracing this principle can enhance communication and contribute to a more compassionate society. The speaker also addresses the challenges of implementing 'yes, and' in stressful situations and suggests practicing it through written communication and improv games to develop better listening and cooperative skills.

Takeaways

• 😄 Improv is often associated with comedy shows like 'Whose Line Is It Anyway?' and 'Saturday Night Live', but it's more than just humor; it's about creating scenarios on the spot.
• 📚 The 1952 manual for improvisation defines improv as 'making it up as you go along', highlighting the spontaneous nature of the art form.
• 🌟 Improv can be applied to everyday life to foster compassion and mindfulness, suggesting that life itself is an improv performance.
• 🗣️ The core rule of improv, 'Yes, and...', encourages active listening and building upon others' ideas to create a collaborative dialogue.
• 🤔 Other rules like 'Don't think twice' and 'Never say no' are discussed, but the speaker suggests focusing on the positive and thoughtful aspects of 'Yes, and...'.
• 🔄 The concept of 'Yes, and...' is not just about agreeing; it's about adding value and detail to the conversation, enhancing the interaction.
• 📧 The speaker proposes using 'Yes, and...' in written communication like emails to promote a more thoughtful and collaborative approach.
• 🙅‍♀️ The script contrasts 'Yes, and...' with 'No, but...', illustrating how the latter can hinder collaboration and requires repair to continue the conversation.
• 🎭 The speaker invites the audience to participate in an improv game to practice 'Yes, and...', emphasizing the importance of listening and cooperation.
• 🏃‍♀️ Improv skills, like 'Yes, and...', require practice and can be developed over time to become a natural part of one's communication style.

Q & A

What is the main concept of improv discussed in the script?

The main concept of improv discussed in the script is the principle of 'Yes, and...' which is about building upon what others have said in a conversation or scenario, fostering cooperation and creativity.

How does the speaker relate improv to everyday life?

The speaker suggests that by applying the improv principle of 'Yes, and...' to everyday life, one can become a more compassionate and mindful member of society, enhancing communication and collaboration.

What are some alternative interpretations of the number one rule of improv mentioned in the script?

Alternative interpretations of the number one rule of improv include 'Don't think twice' and 'Never say no,' which emphasize the importance of quick reactions and maintaining the flow of a scene without negation.

Why does the speaker propose to focus on 'Yes, and...' rather than 'Don't think twice' or 'Never say no'?

The speaker proposes to focus on 'Yes, and...' because it encourages a positive and constructive approach to communication, whereas 'Don't think twice' and 'Never say no' might be seen as inherently negative or limiting, and not always applicable in real-life situations.

What is the significance of the 'Yes, and...' rule in building a conversation or scenario?

The 'Yes, and...' rule is significant because it allows participants to listen, accept, and add to the ideas presented by others, thereby creating a collaborative and dynamic conversation or scenario.

How does the speaker demonstrate the use of 'Yes, and...' in a group project scenario?

The speaker demonstrates the use of 'Yes, and...' by showing how one can agree with a group project proposal to focus on Shakespeare but also suggest expanding the focus to include female playwrights of the era, thus contributing to the group's idea positively.

What is the opposite of 'Yes, and...' as portrayed in the script?

The opposite of 'Yes, and...' is portrayed as a 'No, but...' attitude, which negates the ideas of others and hinders collaboration and cooperation.

Why is it important to not immediately react with a 'No, but...' in a conversation according to the script?

Reacting immediately with a 'No, but...' can halt the flow of conversation and collaboration. It's important to listen and build upon what others have said to foster a positive and productive dialogue.

How does the speaker suggest practicing the 'Yes, and...' principle in daily life?

The speaker suggests practicing the 'Yes, and...' principle by consciously choosing to respond with it in written communication such as emails or text messages, and by playing improv games that encourage this way of thinking.

What improv game does the speaker invite the audience to play, and how does it illustrate the 'Yes, and...' principle?

The speaker invites the audience to play a game called 'Yes, and...' where participants build upon a simple statement by adding details, illustrating the principle of cooperation and building upon others' ideas.

What is the final advice given by the speaker regarding the use of 'Yes, and...' in stressful situations?

The final advice given by the speaker is to pause, listen to what is offered, identify the useful part of it, and add to it, making 'Yes, and...' a part of one's daily vocabulary to handle stressful situations effectively.

Outlines

00:00

🎭 Introduction to Improv and Its Principles

The speaker begins by addressing the common misconceptions about improv, often associated with comedy shows like 'Whose Line Is It Anyway?' or 'Saturday Night Live.' They clarify that while these shows are not pure improv, they are related. The speaker then delves into the debate among improv practitioners about whether short-form games or long-form scenarios are preferable. They reference the 1952 manual 'Trinity of Improvisation' by Del Close, which defines improv as making things up as you go along. The speaker suggests that applying improv principles like 'Yes, and' can enhance daily life, fostering compassion and mindfulness. They propose redefining the first rule of improv from 'Don't think twice' and 'Never say no' to a more positive and constructive approach, emphasizing the importance of listening and building upon others' ideas.

05:02

🤝 The Power of 'Yes, and' in Improv and Life

The speaker illustrates the concept of 'Yes, and' through hypothetical scenarios, demonstrating how it can be used to build upon statements and create a collaborative dialogue. They contrast this with the 'No, but' approach, which negates the other person's statement and hinders collaboration. The speaker emphasizes the importance of not reacting impulsively ('don't think twice') but instead training oneself to respond with 'Yes, and.' They suggest practicing this in written communication, such as emails or online comments, where one can take time to formulate a thoughtful response. The speaker invites the audience to participate in an improv game that embodies the 'Yes, and' principle, where participants build a collective narrative by adding details to a scenario.

10:03

🌟 Applying 'Yes, and' to Enhance Cooperation and Compassion

The speaker concludes by reiterating the importance of using 'Yes, and' as a tool for fostering cooperation, compassion, and active listening. They liken the practice to training for a marathon, acknowledging that it requires consistent effort to integrate 'Yes, and' into one's daily interactions. The speaker encourages the audience to practice this approach, especially in stressful situations, to enhance communication and collaboration. They thank the audience and participants for their engagement and conclude the session on a positive note.

Keywords

💡Improv

Improv, short for improvisation, refers to the art of creating performances spontaneously without a predetermined script. In the context of the video, improv is used as a metaphor for life, suggesting that we can approach our daily interactions with the same principles of openness and creativity that are central to improvisational theater. The video discusses different forms of improv, such as short-form games and long-form scenarios, and how these can be applied to enhance communication and collaboration.

💡Yes, and

Yes, and is a fundamental rule in improv that encourages performers to accept and build upon what their fellow performers have contributed to the scene. It fosters a collaborative and supportive environment. In the video, the speaker emphasizes the importance of 'Yes, and' as a communication tool in daily life, suggesting that it can lead to more compassionate and mindful interactions. The video provides examples of how to use 'Yes, and' in conversations to enhance understanding and cooperation.

💡Short-form theater

Short-form theater is a type of improv where performers engage in quick, game-like scenes that are often based on audience suggestions. These scenes are typically short and require quick thinking and adaptation. The video contrasts short-form with long-form improv, suggesting that while short-form can be fun and fast-paced, it may not always allow for the deeper exploration of ideas that long-form improv can provide.

💡Long-form improv

Long-form improv involves more extended scenes that can last up to an hour or more, allowing for a deeper development of characters and narratives. The video suggests that long-form improv might be more akin to real-life scenarios, where we have the opportunity to engage in more complex and nuanced interactions. It is used as an analogy for approaching life with an open mind and a willingness to explore different perspectives.

💡Comedy club

A comedy club is a venue where stand-up comedians perform. The video mentions comedy clubs, particularly those named 'The Improv,' to highlight the common misconception that all comedy performed in such venues is improvisational. This serves to clarify the differences between stand-up comedy, which is typically pre-planned, and improv, which is spontaneous.

💡Del Close

Del Close was a prominent figure in the world of improv and a key influence on many modern improv practices. The video references his 1952 manual for improvisation, which defined improv as 'making it up as you go along.' This definition is used to emphasize the spontaneous and adaptive nature of improv, which the speaker suggests can be applied to life for more effective and empathetic communication.

💡Don't think twice

The phrase 'Don't think twice' is mentioned as an alternative to 'Yes, and' in improv. It suggests that performers should react instinctively rather than overthinking their responses. The video argues for a balanced approach, suggesting that while spontaneity is important, it's also crucial to consider our words carefully, especially in real-life situations where gut reactions might not always be the most productive.

💡Never say no

Similar to 'Don't think twice,' 'Never say no' is another rule mentioned in the context of improv that encourages performers to keep the scene moving forward by avoiding outright rejections. The video points out that while this can be effective in a performance context, it's not always practical or appropriate in real life, where it's important to know when to say no for personal boundaries and well-being.

💡Ferrous mulitude

Ferrous mulitude is a term used to describe the appearance of real-life complexity and authenticity in a performance. The video uses this term to illustrate the goal of improv performers to make their interactions seem as natural and spontaneous as possible. It also serves as a reminder that while we can learn from improv techniques, our real-life interactions are not performances and require a different approach.

💡Group project

A group project is a collaborative task assigned to a team, often in an educational setting. The video uses the example of a group project to demonstrate how the principles of 'Yes, and' can be applied to real-life situations. It shows how one can contribute their ideas while also building upon the suggestions of others, fostering a collaborative and inclusive environment.

Highlights

Improv is often associated with comedy but can also be a tool for communication and collaboration.

Improv can be defined as 'making it up as you go along', akin to how we navigate life.

The 'yes, and' rule in improv encourages building on others' ideas to foster cooperation.

Improv techniques can enhance everyday interactions by promoting active listening and positive responses.

The 'yes, and' approach can be applied to real-life scenarios like group projects to encourage teamwork.

Contrasting 'yes, and' with 'no, but' illustrates the importance of collaboration over negation.

The concept of 'ferrocene multitude' in improv refers to the strive for realistic and diverse reactions.

Improv games like 'yes, and' can be played to practice the art of building on others' ideas.

The 'yes, and' technique can be practiced in written communication to improve online interactions.

In improv, the focus is on cooperation and adding to the scenario rather than negating it.

The 'yes, and' method can be challenging to implement naturally, requiring practice and mindfulness.

Improv exercises can help train the brain to default to positive and cooperative responses.

The 'yes, and' approach can lead to more creative and inclusive outcomes in group settings.

The speaker invites audience participation to demonstrate the 'yes, and' game in action.

A live demonstration of the 'yes, and' game shows how a scenario can be built collaboratively.

The 'yes, and' technique can be used to create a more compassionate and mindful society.

The speaker concludes by encouraging the audience to incorporate 'yes, and' into their daily vocabulary.

Transcripts

hello everybody

hello when we hear the word improv we

often think funny wacky scenarios stuff

like whose line is it anyway perhaps

your mind jumps to something that isn't

actually improv but is improv adjacent

something like saturday night live maybe

or the comedy club that almost certainly

is in your city called simply the improv

where improv performance doesn't

actually happen it's really more of a

place for stand-up comedy

people who practice improv have a lot of

feelings about the form a lot of

feelings for example do we like it

better if it's the short form theater of

games the kind of thing that you see on

who's line or more complex long-form

scenarios that might last up to an hour

or even longer

is it better if it's from new york or

chicago kind of like pizza

in truth and comedy the 1952 manual for

improvisation by del close trona

hackburn and kim howard johnson improv

is defined as

making it up as you go along

another definition that i really like is

a play without a script you know what

else is a play without a script that

we're making up as we go along

life

wow so how do we do that like on a day

to day basis how do we make it up as we

go along i mean technically we're always

doing it but i believe that by employing

some basic components of improv we can

do it in a way that makes us more

compassionate mindful members of society

i'm thinking specifically of the number

one rule of improv which is

yes

and

yes and is a bridge between points in a

conversation

so if someone said to you let's go to

the movies

you might respond yes and let's buy

popcorn

or if you're feeling a little chaotic

that day and someone says let's go to

the movies maybe you say yes and let's

sneak in all of our snacks

as with all things improv there's debate

about this this number one rule there's

other things that people like to say is

the number one rule of improv things

like don't think twice

and

never say no

don't think twice and never say no and i

do like both of these rules when it

comes to actual improv because what

they're getting at is the idea that

acting is reacting right and actors and

improvisational performers are forever

striving for the appearance of real life

ferrous mulitude is a fancy vocab word

for that

but we aren't acting right we're

actually trying to live our lives

so in order to uh use these rules of

improv in our everyday life i propose

that we eliminate these inherently

negative and limiting versions of the

rule

don't think twice

actually we do want to stop and consider

our words before we say them out loud

and never say no i mean there's plenty

of times when we should say no in life

and instead focus on the positive

thoughtful power of

yes and

so let's run through some scenarios how

this might work this first one i'm going

to do is we're going to simulate an

improv scenario so i'm going to be

playing both characters uh the first

person is going to offer a simple

statement right so they might say

something like oops yes and means that

we listen to what was offered and add

something to it that's important all

right here come our scenarios

so the first person might say something

like

i had a bagel for breakfast this morning

that's actually true yum doesn't have to

be true but it happens to be the second

person is going to again listen to what

was offered and add something to it so

they might say something like

yes and the bagel had cream cheese on it

that's nice because we're adding detail

to the situation right our picture of

the bagel is becoming clearer it's

zooming into high definition

okay that's super fun but how about a

real life scenario what about like a

group project

so you get your group project assignment

and the first person emails the group

and maybe they say something like dear

group project members i propose that we

focus on the plays of william

shakespeare for our theater history

assignment

and let's say in this scenario i'm not

so interested in focusing exclusively on

william shakespeare i mean dude gets a

lot of attention right but i want to

prove that i'm a team player and make

sure that my ideas are heard as well i

could respond with something like

dear group project members

yes

i think that the idea of focusing on

theater of the 1500s is a great idea and

i propose expanding our presentation

beyond just shakespeare and including

female playwrights of the era such as

afrobane

so we've listened to what was offered

we've identified the part that's useful

to us

and we've added our own flair to it

right

there's no rule that says that we have

to accept a hundred percent of what the

person speaking before us has offered

but at the same time we want to get

along with this group project group that

we might be working with for quite some

time

so we find what we love about what they

said and add our own thing to it

let's illustrate the opposite of yes and

because i think that's helpful too so

what's the opposite of

yes

and

it's

no but exactly

nailed it no but

so let's see how a no but type of

attitude would roll with our examples

from from today

uh person a i had a bagel for breakfast

this morning

actually it was cereal

dear group project members i propose

that we focus on the plays of william

shakespeare for our theater history

assignment

dear group project members i think your

idea is bad i want to do chekhov

no but it's the antithesis of

collaboration and cooperation we can't

simply negate what others have to say

even though as it did here we do get a

funny quick sort of laugh from it right

like those were funny little jokes but

they don't engender collaboration and

cooperation we actually can't continue

building our scenario from there without

doing repair first so we have to listen

to what we like and go from there

now

these are written examples right this is

an email we have lots of time to process

there and real life doesn't work like

that oftentimes we're having

face-to-face conversations and that's

where the whole don't think twice thing

comes from

but in order to not think twice we

really have to train ourselves to make

yes and a part of our daily vocabulary

and i will tell you i have taught enough

students literally from ages 5 to 85

about improv to tell you that most of us

don't default to yes and when we're in

stressful situations we tend to do the

opposite in fact

we close in we retreat inside ourselves

we make an easy joke it's a defense

mechanism it's totally normal and we all

do it but we can overcome it with work

and a great way to practice this is with

the written word right things like

emails or think about the internet

the internet would certainly love for

you to believe that you have to have a

response ready to go at any second right

think about any comment that you've ever

seen on the internet it's probably like

a gut reaction takedown but we don't

have to do that so my invitation to you

is that the next time you are faced with

the written word in a way that

challenges you whether it's a comment on

the internet an email or perhaps even a

text message don't go with that gut

reaction find what you like about it and

build from there

but

the best way to practice using yes and

is by playing improv games which is

exactly what we're going to do right now

we are going to play a game together and

it's actually the game that i've been

demonstrating all along today and it is

called simply yes and so here's how the

game works now that we're going to be

playing it

the first person this will be me will

offer a simple statement the bagel thing

is true it doesn't have to be a true

statement so maybe the statement i

choose this time is

uh oops and of course we want to use

cooperation compassion and listening as

we're doing this

listening all right so here we go with

our examples uh simple statement example

i'm a cat i'm not a cat but for the

purposes of this scenario now i'm a cat

and everyone who's playing with me is

going to be a cat and we're all going to

build the qualities of this cat together

okay so first person says i am a cat the

next person is going to use the bridge

statement of yes and and add a detail to

that cat i'm a cat yes and i have a pink

nose and we could go on forever yes and

i need to get my nails trimmed yes and i

tried to steal my owner's food last

night etc etc right we're building a

scenario together we are all the cat

we're not creating a conversation i'm a

cat yes and i'm a dog no we are all the

cat okay make sense

i would love to get four brave

volunteers from the audience to come up

and play this game with me can i see

some hands

yes

one i need three more

two

two more

three oh no that was just the person

already stood up

two more people

it's gonna be so fun i promise i'm very

nice

we can also play it with just the three

of us that sounds fun to me if that

sounds okay to you too okay great so

let's line up let's form a line this is

a very improv thing to do we're in our

lovely little line we call this a back

line but that's a different talk um okay

great any questions before we start

yeah i'll offer a simple statement and

you say yes and and build on it and you

say yes and and build on it remember it

doesn't have to be true

it just can't contradict something

that's already been said

okay great so simple statement let's go

um

yesterday

it snowed

yes and the sun shine

but also it hailed

good yes good so we had yesterday it

snowed let's move down this way we've

got two more volunteers amazing so

yesterday it snowed yes and the sun

shines

what else yes and the snowman i built

melted

amazing

yes and i was so sad because i worked so

hard on that snowman

yes and my mom made me chicken noodle

soup so then i was happy again oh my

gosh what a wholesome scenario we've

created together let's get a round of

applause for our fabulous volunteers

thank you everybody you may go back to

your seats

amazing textbook so there we have it yes

and

in life we want to make sure that we are

leading with cooperation compassion and

listening

it's like running a marathon in a way

you're not just going to wake up one day

and automatically know how to do this we

have to really work at making yes and a

part of our daily vocabulary

so

the next time that you find yourself in

a stressful situation where you feel a

gut reaction being triggered i invite

you to pause

listen to what was offered

identify the useful proce part of it

and

add something to it

thank you everybody

[Applause]

you