At the Blue Door Theatre (BDT), improv is definitely about getting laughs and it is also about personal growth, building community, and unlocking new ways of thinking. For our performers, improv has had a lasting impact on their lives, both on and off the stage. Here’s a look at what some of our improvisers have to say about how improv has shaped them.
For Jake Foerg, improv has allowed him to retain the vibrant, playful energy that often fades with adulthood. “It’s kind of kept the childlike quality of myself around," Jake stated. "I feel I haven’t lost that kind of fun, bouncy energy that I think a lot of people lose as they get older.” Improv invites everyone to embrace creativity and fun in a way that keeps you connected to that youthful excitement about being alive, reminding us that play is important at any age.
Annica Eagle enjoys how improv provides an opportunity to be carefree. “Improv is pretty spectacular in that it allows you to be silly, set aside everything you normally worry about in your real life,” she shares. For many, improv offers a much-needed break from the stresses of daily life where they can create a safe space to let loose and be fully present in the moment.
Josh Scheel talked about how improv can retrain the brain to work in new and unexpected ways. “It makes your brain think in ways that it doesn’t think usually,” Josh reflected. "It gives me some skills to use in the real world that I wouldn't get anywhere else. I wouldn’t be in the position I am in, in my corporate job if I didn’t learn stuff here.” Improv teaches you to adapt, think on your feet, and approach challenges from different angles. These skills, while invaluable on stage, are also useful in professional settings and everyday life.
For Clarissa Bundy, the power of improv lies in its ability to bring people together. She believes improv is one of the “best ways to build community” and has seen firsthand how it helps people grow. “I have seen people come out of their shells. Through improv, gaining confidence, just becoming not only better for themselves but for the people around them.” Improv fosters trust, cooperation, and empathy in a way to support others in scenes and in life.
Tay Robinson (who is now a guest performer) highlights an important lesson of improv: learning to trust yourself. Tay explained, “One of the greatest gifts of improv is the ability to get out of your head and being able to trust yourself." Improv teaches people to release their self-doubt, embrace the unknown, and trust that they have what it takes to succeed on stage and in life.
Introducing Our Updated Video Series: Unscripted Voices
To give you a deeper look into the impact of improv on our players, we’re excited to announce an updated version of our video series, Unscripted Voices, where our performers talk about themselves, improv, and more. Each video will spotlight a different improviser and their experience at the BDT.
Our first featured improviser is Alex Kwamina, who talks about what it is like to be a Technical Director, how improv has impacted him, and more. In the video, he commented, “I’ve always thought of myself as a very shy person…I don’t think people really understand how hard it sometimes is to communicate with other people and improv really teaches you how to say my ideas to other people.” Improv is a powerful tool for teaching people to communicate in more effective ways.
Through the different testimonials, it becomes clear that improv is more than just about performance, it's a great method for personal and professional development. At the BDT, we see how transformative improv can be, whether it’s helping someone find their voice, build confidence, or connect with others in new ways. Come join us and see how improv might impact you.
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