Fresh Laughs is a Philly improv group that performed main stage at the Adrienne. I haven't seen many improv skits in my lifetime and it personally, I would be too awkward to be involved in one. Fresh Laughs' performance made improv seem like it was easy as pie.
In the beginning of the show they asked the audience to shout out words to create a basis of what the plot of each skit would be. With whatever word they chose, it would be integrated until it blossomed into a skit. The skits were funny and the improvisation was so seamless, it gave the illusion it was scripted, even though it most definitely not.
My view on improvisation was totally changed after this performance. When it comes down to it, improvisation is something we do day to day. Although there are psychics and fortune tellers, none of us can really predict the future. We do the things we need to do in every consecutive moment to get by, and some of those decisions may be based off of future endeavors, but our words and actions can't guarantee a future result.
Improvisation is such a scary concept because as a society, we generally fear uncertainty and going with the flow without a plan, but if we overcome that fear, life would be less stressful. One of my favorite quotes exemplifies this concept: "If you're depressed, you are living in the past. If you are anxious, you are living in the future. If you live in the moment, you will be at peace".
One question I would have for Fresh Laughs is "what did you guys do in terms of practice to hone in on your improv skills?"
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