Playtime!
8 Things about my Improv for Confidence, Creativity and Communication Course
“The most sophisticated people I know - inside they are children” Jim Henson
I’m very excited to be running my 6-week Improv for Confidence, Creativity and Communication course again this September.
The first cohort in spring were such a gorgeous group coming from a variety of industries and backgrounds.
By the end of the six weeks, friendships were made, fears were overcome and a great deal of laughs were had. It’s been lovely catching up with some of them and hearing how tasks that previously would have kept them up all night now not only felt doable but enjoyable.
This course adapts the games and exercises I use for coaching improvisers to help sharpen your communication skills, explore your creativity and boost your confidence. They are very practical sessions full of fun. It’s all the joy of improv without the pressure to get up on stage.
In the spirit of my favourite improv warm up, here are 8 Things you can look forward to on my Improv for Confidence, Creativity and Communication Course starting on the 11th September:
This isn’t any normal “public speaking” course.
If the idea of presenting brings you out in a sweat, my goal isn’t just to help you get through it but to revel in it. To learn to love the power of being in control of the room and giving your voice.
I don’t spend much time on presentation skills because the truth is, most people know what a good presentation looks and sounds like. We work on body and voice connection, commanding the space and bringing out your passion so you can connect with the audience.
We didn’t all go to schools where we were taught how to talk like the next prime minister - I certainly didn’t - and many of us have experiences of being talked over or being told to be quiet.
I hope this course helps you find your voice and realise that those who put you down are the ones most scared of what you have to say.
It’s really fun.
We learn by playing games that I use for coaching improv teams. Most of them have very clear learning outcomes for instance, practising active listening and pushing mental agility and some are just… silly. And that’s also valid!
How often do you give yourself permission to play? We know that play is vital for children’s growth and we see it as a sign of intelligence for animals yet for human adults we rarely give ourselves the opportunity to play with each other in a non competitive way.
That said, one warm-up that I assumed was just for fun called “Kitty Cat Careers” gave one previous participant a breakthrough about self-doubt!
Freedom to fail
We know that making mistakes is integral to any kind of growth or creative process. We’ve heard countless tales of athletes, artists, inventors failing a hundred times before they succeeded and yet we still won’t give ourselves that grace.
This course gives you a supportive space where you can push yourself and try new things. It’s not about overcoming the fear of failure or becoming immune to it but learning how to laugh it off and move on. You can’t gain true confidence without its knowing sister: resilience.
Discover strengths you already had
People often come to me saying they need “more confidence”, which encompasses a broad spectrum. We discuss what confidence means to you, where you already feel confident and how that can help you be bolder in other areas.
Look at the diagram below. Which situations do you find nerve-racking and which do you do without thinking twice?
Get out of your comfort zone
You could jump out a plane, hold a spider, take an ice bath but what do those challenges really teach you? Improv forces you to take risks and put yourself out there but in a way that feels supported and sustainable. Some people jump all-in week 1, others go a little bit further each time. Both are valuable approaches.
The joy of a 6-week course with an intimate group is that you can track your progress over time and in a practical setting. (Unless your job is a paratrooping arachnologist based in the Arctic in which case, try the first suggestions.)
Make friends!
It can be hard to make new friends as an adult, especially in a big city in London. From engineers to TV producers, this course attracts people from all backgrounds who are ready to have fun and support each other.
Classes often finish with a catch up in the venue’s bar. At the end of the last course, one participant made everyone medals!
Learn to hold fast to think fast
One of the most impressive skills good improvisers have is their ability to think quickly on their feet. No matter what is thrown at them, they can make it work. This is obviously a useful talent to have in many lines of work. But here is what most people get wrong about “quick thinking”…
It’s not actually about thinking fast. In fact, it’s more about slowing down. If you are able to stay calm and present in the moment, you are able to listen and respond accordingly without hesitation. This gives the impression of quick and decisive thinking. The majority of exercises and games we play in improv and this course are designed to enhance and practise this ability.
Discover that certain je ne sais quoi…
They say charisma can’t be taught but I beg to differ. Confidence in yourself, passion for your subject and connection with your audience can give a very charismatic impact. Another key but elusive factor is “authenticity”.
We know it when we experience it and we cringe or drop-off when we don’t. If you want to take your presentation to the next level, you have to go beyond the cookie-cutter training and dig a little deeper.
Over the 6-weeks, in this tight and supportive group I will give you personal feedback and tailored exercises to help bring out your unique style.
The course begins on the 11th September and runs every Thursday evening 7-9.15pm at Theatre Deli (Liverpool Street) until the 16th October. (Booking closes 9th September)
There are two Partial Bursary places at £100 each for freelancers/artists/independent business/charities on tight budgets. If you are interested in one of these, please get in touch.
I love teaching this course and seeing people come together and cheer each other on. It’s been amazing to watch participants transform and take on new challenges.
And don’t just take my word for it. Here is what former participants have said…
“Charlie’s training course was a lot of fun and a valuable experience. The course offered an innovative approach to learning communication skills through improv and play-based exercises. Charlie created a supportive and welcoming environment that encouraged me to step out of my comfort zone and embrace uncertainty. These are valuable skills, especially when it comes to public speaking and professional communication. I would highly recommend this course to anyone looking to grow personally and professionally in a fun and creative way. Thank you so much.”
"Charlie was an excellent host - really reassuring and light as she guided us through various playful exercises. It all had a really good impact and the lessons will stay with me into everyday life."
"Charlie was fantastic, she paid attention to everyone's needs on the course and adjusted the content accordingly. It really helped me to develop my confidence and felt like a great support group, sometimes even like therapy!"
See you there!