Stepping in
11 October 2013Creativity is not the clever rearranging of the known – Viola Spolin Which raises the question of discovery – how do we find what we don’t know? We go on adventures. Some of us go on BIG adventures, climbing mountains or cycling across Europe. Some of us prefer smaller adventures, like punting or trying…
Remembering to learn from who, and what, is already out there
31 July 2013I really loved this list of Reminders for Every Improviser by Andel Sudik. I was expecting more of the same so it was a nice surprise to read things like: “The things that you don’t like about yourself are probably what made you so good in the first place, and they are definitely what make…
Invocations – shifting resignation to empowerment
27 September 2012Sounds heavy doesn’t it? Or some sort of pseudo-psychobabble puffery. It’s not though. It’s a playful way to tap deeply into what we already know but may not have the words, or awareness, to express. It’s another gem of a process I’ve learned from improvisation in general, and Rebecca Stockley and Matt Smith in particular.…
Facilitation tips for improvisers
27 September 2012One of the ongoing themes around applied improvisation is the use of language, and recognising that improvisation has its own jargon. This jargon may sometimes be unhelpful when introducing people to the principles and practices of improvisation. I’m forever grateful to friends such as Izzy Gesell, and Simo Routarinne who helped school me in the…
Collecting insights
26 September 2012There was a lot happening at the Applied Improvisation Network Conference in San Francisco. As well as the pre-planned sessions, and the open space offerings, the one-on-one and small group conversations, and the serendipitous moments, there was the Twitter and Facebook back channel, photos being posted on Flickr, videos being made, drawings made, and people…
Let the games begin
17 September 2012The Olympics are over for another four years. But it’s not those sort of games I’m referring to. Not sporty, competitive games. Nor video games. And no, not board games either. These games are for fun. They are active, playful, not too energetic (though they can be), not too competitive (though they can be that…
3 tips for science communications
16 August 2012It’s National Science Week here in Australia. I’m quite fond of science and scientists: I’m married to a scientist; I even studied science once; I dabbled in science communications; I failed to get a Churchill Fellowship to explore science communications; and I love just about anything to do with space exploration. I’m a big fan…
Capturing the essence of improv
22 July 2012This is a fantastic summary of highlights and insights from AIN Downunder: Thriving In Uncertainty from April Seymore.
Tom Salinsky’s improv wisdom
2 July 2012I’m at Improvention in Canberra – a festival of improvisers from all over Australasia, and a smattering from elsewhere. There’s shows, and competitions, and workshops, and serious discussions, and partying, and lots of coffee and other beverages. I feel like an imposter. There, glad I got that off my chest. And that’s all I’m going…
Postcards provide a window to the world
13 June 2012Probably not the sort of postcards you’re thinking of. These postcards are made of people, creating a scene from nothing but a suggestion. We started with Southern Cross Station (Melbourne’s main train station) – people posed themselves as commuters, trains, signs, rubbish, ticket machines, aimless people, newspapers. Ian David, from Melbourne Playback Theatre Company, was…