Tiffany Martinez, OD, has seen more than one new employee look aghast when they walk in on a Wednesday morning and someone says to them, “It’s time for improv.”
Dr. Martinez, of Eyes of New Mexico in Albuquerque, says that she had been interested in incorporating improv into her vision therapy sessions. Her office manager mentioned a friend, an actor, who might be able to suggest some improv exercises for practice staff, too. The actor was called for a show, but the office manager kept up the initiative.
For the past six months, Wednesday mornings have included 30 minutes of improv exercises. Dr. Martinez says that they help staff members get focused on the day ahead by being present in the moment. They’re forced outside of their comfort zone, but so is everyone around them. She knows that feeling herself. “There have been mornings where I don’t want to do this. But a few minutes into it, I’m really enjoying it. We look forward to it now,” she says.
IMPROV GAMES
Here are a few of the improv exercises they do.
Clapping: The group stands in a circle facing each other. The idea is to pass the clap along – by one person making eye contact with another and clapping at the same time. Then that person turns. It’s teamwork and focusing on each other.
The “Wah”: Imagine the sound a 4-year-old makes in a stick-fighting game. This game is a variation on the clap. One person “wahs” downward to another. The receiver “wahs” upward to accept it, and the people on either side “wah” toward the recipient’s waist. That gets passed along. Similar to the clapping game, players need to watch each other and anticipate their moves.
Yes, Let’s: There are at least two ways to play. The first is simply that someone calls out an action: Let’s fly like a bird or Let’s hop on one foot. The rest call out enthusiastically, Yes, Let’s! And they do so for a few seconds until the next suggestion is called out.
Another way is similar to “Yes, And” where people build on the story line just told, Yes, Let’s adds a physical dimension. Someone calls out an activity: Let’s fly like a bird! And everyone extends their wings and starts flying. Then the next might build on that. Let’s dive down for a delicious fish, and the group calls out Yes, Let’s.
There are many ideas for improv games in businesses, designed to help collaboration and teamwork. Dr. Martinez says incorporating improv Wednesday has brought fun and movement into the week.
