To Improv, or Not to Improv: Improving Economics Teaching and Learning with Improv Theater Simon Halliday, Smith College James Tierney, Penn State University

Introduction Who are these yahoos? What teaching have they done? How have they been involved in theatre?

Motivation For instructors – Improv can help you be more comfortable in front of the classroom – Improv can help you with colleagues and administration that may be hard to work with…….

Motivation For students – Improv can teach them that failing is ok – Improv can teach them problem solving skills – Improv can teach them valuable communications skills needed for today’s business world

Participation Zoom, Schwartz, Profigliano – Failing is O.K. – Being comfortable with failing will lead to taking bigger risk taking

Participation Fortunately, Unfortunately – Be able to think on your feet. – Solve problems fast and think outside the box

Participation Spotlight – Makes you feel comfortable in front of strangers. – Teaches how to support your fellow colleagues

Participation Backwards Interview – Teaches listening skills. – Exercises different parts of the brain.

Reflection This is just the tip of the iceberg – There are dozens of exercises like these that can help both instructors and students. – Maybe next year we can do more!

Reflection How can you take this back to your students? – Speak with your theatre group on your campus. Most will have an improv troupe and will be willing to hold workshops.

Questions We are more than happy to field any questions with the time remaining.