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What we’re about

This Meetup group is to inform members of upcoming improv comedy shows and classes by the Venprov troupe at the House of Magic. Venprov shows and classes are led by the amazing Travis Greer who has been teaching for 15 years. In partnership with the House of Magic, Venprov has been in the Ventura and Santa Paula area since 2012.

What is improv?
Improvisation, or improv, is a form of live theatre in which the plot, characters, and dialogue of a scene, story, or game are made up in the moment. Often improvisers will take a suggestion from the audience or draw on some other source of inspiration to get started. Improv is different every time!

Why improv?
Improv skills are life skills! Whatever your experience, background, or training, everyone can benefit from performing improv. Benefits include improvements in the following:

  • Confidence
  • Active listening
  • Learning to laugh at yourself and not take things so seriously
  • Observation
  • Creativity, innovation, and expanding your imagination
  • Adaptation and flexibility...giving up control and learning to go with the flow
  • Spontaneity
  • Facing fears
  • Turning mistakes into opportunities
  • Empathy and kindness
  • Teamwork
  • Supporting others and allowing yourself to be supported
  • Memory
  • Stress relief
  • Leadership
  • Staying positive
  • Decision-making
  • Public speaking
  • Acting ability
  • Building community
  • Comfort in social settings
  • Dealing with uncomfortable situations and coping with uncertainty
  • Taking risks
  • Enjoying and being present in the moment
  • Learning how to have to have more fun
  • Bringing out your playful side

Recent articles on improv improving your life:

The rules of improv can make you funnier. They can also make you more confident.
https://www.npr.org/2022/10/19/1129907651/improv-can-build-confidence-heres-how-to-apply-it-to-your-everyday-life

Pandemic got you down? Snap back with an improv class
https://www.npr.org/2021/10/26/1049222010/pandemic-got-your-down-snap-back-with-an-improv-class

The Mental Health Benefits Of Improv: How Making Things Up Together Helps Us Deal With Reality
https://judetrederwolff.medium.com/the-mental-health-benefits-of-improv-how-making-things-up-together-helps-us-deal-with-reality-99f13854db46

Four Reasons To Take An Improv Class
https://www.forbes.com/sites/robasghar/2015/08/12/four-reasons-you-need-to-take-an-improv-class/?sh=68fb3909764a

How an improv class can help develop essential business skills
https://www.fm-magazine.com/issues/2018/feb/improv-class-helps-develop-business-skills.html

New Research Highlights the Brain-Boosting Benefits of Improv
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/play-your-way-sane/202103/new-research-highlights-the-brain-boosting-benefits-improv

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