"Almost all creativity involves purposeful play."
-- Abraham Maslow, American psychologist, 1908-1970
I interview a lot of artists. Over the years, certain kernels of wisdom have stayed with me that I remember and refer back to time and time again. The artist I quote most often, whose words of advice are applicable for artists and regular folk alike and whose interview has marked me the most, is legendary actress, teacher and director, Joyce Piven. My most favorite gem of hers is, "When an actor steps out on stage and says, 'I don't know'... that's the beginning of creativity." I love this quote because it gives us all permission to let go. It says that good things -- even great things -- can come from not having the answer to everything and refusing to hold on too tightly. Amen.
My other precious pearl from Ms. Piven, which also applies to everyone, is her response to my question in the interview below of why so many famous actors have come from her tutelage and the Piven Theatre Workshop. "Because they were willing to be 100 percent of themselves." This snippet is as true and the day is long: we are, indeed, successful -- in fact, it is only possible to be successful -- when we are true to ourselves. Nothing is more painful than being inauthentic or trying to mold yourself to someone else's wishes, and nothing is more empowering than being your full self and working from your natural strengths. Wise, wise Ms. Piven.
It is because my short interview with Ms. Piven from 2010 struck me so much that I was elated to hear that after teaching for over 40 years she has written a book denoting the many important techniques that are taught at The Piven Theatre Workshop in Evanston, Ill. The famed, intimate Theater Workshop, offering classes for fourth grade children through adults, has produced countless actors and playwrights: Aidan Quinn, Lili Taylor, Kate Walsh, playwright Sarah Ruhl and, of course, John and Joan Cusack and Jeremy and Shira Piven, to name a few.
Ms. Piven's book, In the Studio with Joyce Piven: Theatre Games, Story Theatre and Text Work for Actors, is intended as instruction for those studying the improv and theater craft. I would argue, however, that Ms. Piven's lessons carry universal import and we could all stand to learn a thing or two from the wise fabric that is improv play. Here are a few, sumptuous nuggets and exercises from the book, and thus, the classes. Some are old improv standards from Viola Spolin and Paul Sills, among others, and some are Joyce and Byrne Piven particulars.
* Experiencing and working on impulse
* Exploring and heightening -- words, emotions, characters, situations and ideas
* Finding the creative motor that is capable of endless invention
* Reacting spontaneously -- freely and without planning
* Taking risks
* Embracing the "anxiety of not knowing," the "off-balance moment" as a source of creativity
In addition to the above exercises which foster creativity and empower the individual, The Piven Theatre Workshop, as noted in In the Studio with Joyce Piven: Theatre Games, Story Theatre and Text Work for Actors by her former student and famed actress Joan Cusack, teaches empathy. The exercises that encourage finding agreement between play partners and hone in on the emotional core driving any particular scene or situation build not only theater skills, but life skills. And who couldn't benefit from sharpening those?
In fact, I think improv classes (in Chicago and most other cities there are many options) should be mandatory for every adult. Somewhere along the way, as adults conditioned to fit in and race through life, we lose that connection to our inner voice that allows us to tap into our strengths and function creatively to our full potential. Reminders like "today is the day" and "be in the moment" through improv exercises are vital skills for remaining sane and connected in an ever increasingly chaotic world. Call me crazy, but it seems that a little more empathy for our partners in life, work and play would go a long way to ease every day tension.
As is fitting for an improv book, Ms. Piven's In the Studio with Joyce Piven: Theatre Games, Story Theatre and Text Work for Actors can be purchased at Chicago's lovingly quirky, home decor store, Judy Maxwell Home. In funny and colorful tradition, Judy Maxwell Home changes its "look" on a monthly basis and is always its own stage, if you will. Previously, it was the Jetsons theme and now it is an old-fashioned country store. Stay tuned for its next reincarnation as a platform for featuring books, soaps, gifts, home decor and much more. Naturally, this is where one would find a great improv book such as Joyce's. If you can't get to Joyce's home turf of Chicago and Judy Maxwell Home, there is also the much less innovative and fun choice of Amazon.com.
And for those contemplating classes in addition to the book, I tell anyone who will listen that they should take improv classes, regardless if the stage is their dream. There is something very self affirming about saying the first thing that pops into your head with no time for self-editing or judgment. Even if you don't plan on dropping your accounting gig and heading to a stage career, consider grabbing In the Studio with Joyce Piven or getting yourself to some improv classes. You just might feel a new lease on life and see the world in a whole new way.