PlayMD.ph

“[By meeting with Schirokauer], I learned that improv is not about the comedy, but rather all about thinking on your feet—just going with it and facing uncertainty—and that it was very relevant to medicine and the way we practice it,” Nagpal said.

“The miniseries serves as an introduction to the core concepts of improv, providing medical students with the opportunity to practice these skills alongside their peers in a fun, low-stakes environment. Students gather for two hours each week for five weeks to play improv games, with guidance and medical context provided throughout.”

“I hope the program will help broaden the way we think about and approach our relationships with patients and fellow providers in the healthcare space,” said Nagpal. “This miniseries, through improv games, fun sketch exercises and in-session reflections, aims to promote [hands-on] learning. It's also just a fun space to unwind, be authentic and try new things.”

https://case.edu/news/medical-students-blend-comedy-and-clinical-skills-improv-miniseries

“Have you ever thought of walking away from improv?” was a question that Susanne (Germany), Maarten (Netherlands), and I had a chance to reflect on at the Tuesday Open Space.

Susanne smiled, her eyes twinkling. “How can you walk away from something that has become part of you?” she asked. “Improv becomes part of your nature. It makes us better humans. Improv,” and this is the part that really resonated with me, “allows you to see choices.”

I never really thought about it that way before. Susanne said it with such calm conviction. With… with such joy.

Maarten agreed. “Improv allows you to appreciate life even if things don’t go your way,” he added. Maarten has always been a soothing steady presence at the Europe Open Space. He starts gently, gathers his thoughts, and then drops truth bombs that hit you long after the session is over.

They both smiled at me and simultaneously paused. Their silence echoed their loud answer: “No.”

Join applied improvisers from all over the world at the next AIN Watch Party happening on May 29 Friday morning at 8AM Manila time. We will play, listen and learn from Gary Schwartz about Viola Spolin - the mother of improvisation. Garry is Viola’s direct mentee and the foremost practitioner of her techniques. Let’s go!