Verbal & Visual Improv

Yesterday's after-school painting session at Beacon School was FABULOUS. We also played a surreal writing game where someone writes a sentence or two then hands it to another who adds a sentence and then passes it along, and so on, several participants making a surreal vignette. It was a great hit and got the kids to linger, writing, reading, laughing and painting. We created an environment of play and all student self-consciousness melted away. My favorite way to learn and teach is to follow the model of theater improvisation games, blues jams, and jazz improvisation, because artistic discoveries can happen through play, especially when creating as a group. Two of the school's theater majors tried their hand at painting and a few other students participated in other ways while passing through. We're all looking forward to Wednesday. A few teachers have been tremendously enthusiastic, checking in and cheering on the results. I couldn't be happier.