"There are no mistakes in improv"-Inspired By: Tina Fey
Scooba-da-wapa-shaboom-ka-wawa. This may sound like gibberish to you (because it is) but when paired with mime in a ComedySportz match, it means I’m playing tennis against my grandma, but the racket is a lemon zester, and my grandma is Steve Buscemi.
ComedySportz is competitive improvisation. School teams compete for laughs that are translated into points by an “applauseaumeter.” Of over 60 students who auditioned, “Emma Don’t Go Br-Aikman My Heart” was fortunate enough to be one of the five students selected in 2015 to join the Carmel High School ComedySportz Team.
Improv has become not only an unbelievably creative and fun outlet for me but another tool to enhance my communication and public speaking skills. Improv has built on my ability to think on my feet creatively and quickly in fast-paced environments as well as be both a team player and leader. Ultimately I have Tina Fey to thank for exposing me to my love of improvisation and the comedy world.
For YEARS I thought Tina Fey was the governor of Alaska. So when my mom told me she was a comedian on Saturday Night Live doing an impression of Sarah Palin, I was momentarily confused but quickly fascinated by the sketch comedy scene. I developed a deep admiration for the smart, creative, and hilarious Tina Fey (I may or may not be the owner of the Instagram fanpage "GayforFey"...). From religiously watching SNL to researching everything there was to know about Tina Fey, naturally, I was introduced to improv.
I learned Tina Fey got her start as an improviser and sketch writer at the infamous Second City in Chicago. This inspired me to attend a two week program for training in improv, sketch, and standup comedy.
The experience and skills I acquired during my time at The Second City not only opened up other opportunities like ComedySportz but taught me the rules of improv. Tina Fey's book, Bossypants, outlines the major rules including saying "yes" (agreeing with your scene partner) "and..." (building off what your partner has already said). Most impactful to me, however, was Fey's statement that, "there are no mistakes in improv". This forced me to let go of my perfectionistic tendencies and defy my fears of failure.
Not only did Tina Fey inspire me to explore improv comedy, but she taught me valuable lessons along the way.