Improv Nonsense

Taught a 101 class recently. Saw them go through this:

First, with every yes-and they did, they were surprised. “Wait, *I’m* your boss?” Literally almost every line was said in a questioning tone.

That went away and then with every yes-and, they were not responsible. “Well, I just got promoted so I don’t know this department. It’s my first day.”

Then that went away and then with every yes-and, they were defensive. “So you’re MAD at me that I’m your boss? You wanted to be the boss!”

For a while every one was crazy. “I’m your boss! I love being the boss so much! I’m going to give you a raise of four hundred thousand dollars!”

Then THAT went away and every yes-and was just… boring. “Yes. I am your boss. Shall we review the reports, Jenkins?”

Then, after that, sometimes, it was good. “Yeah, I love this job. Remember the blood oath we took about increasing sales?” I mean, is that even good? You know what I’m saying: they got comfortable just accepting new information and adding to it as if they had been in that world all along.

I forgot how hard it is for “normal” people to just yes-and each other. There are a lot of defenses in place that you have to wear away just to get started.

EDITED TO ADD: Upon re-reading I realize this all sounds like a criticism. I mean it as sympathy. Yes-anding is tough, takes practice and patience before it’s casual and easy.