Through the eyes of a student – Eliot C. Age 15 kSp student/ intern How do you see life? Is it something to trudge through on your way to a purpose, or an enormous opportunity waiting to be seized? I’d say both. How many times have you decided between going out or staying in; speaking out or staying quiet; staying with what you know versus what could be. I don’t know about you, but I’ve made this decision more times [...]
Applied Improvisation for early learning, benefits for the whole school! – Author Anja Phillips Applied improvisation has several benefits in early learning and education for children’s development! In this blog post, we will examine the critical role teachers have in playing with children and how applied improvisation can help teachers correctly play with children for both parties’ benefits. The problem is that teachers are often choosing “predictable responses or roles” when it comes to playing, which, perhaps to their surprise, diminishes [...]
Applied improvisation supports executive functioning! In this post, we will explore what executive functioning is, the science behind applied improv’s beneficial impact on it, and exactly how applied improv supports a positive influence over our executive brain functions. To read more of this post visit ChristianaFrank.com
Twenty years ago, Christiana Frank founded KidScape Productions (kSp) at the At-Risk Youth Division of the New York City Police Department. Currently, in Northern Nevada and Northern California kSp works with 1000-1400 students every week. Many of their past and present students have learned that they improvise all the time in their daily interactions. kSp’ focus on applying that improvisation helps students learn tactics that enhance these interactions and offer them opportunities that they may never have had otherwise. One [...]
Esteemed poet and playwright Oscar Wilde once said, “I regard the theatre as the greatest of all art forms, the most immediate way in which a human being can share with another the sense of what it is to be a human being.” Indeed, there is something pure about drama. In the process of assuming an unfamiliar identity, you get an insight into how personalities differ from one individual to another. A glimpse into the human mind and emotional responses When playing [...]
Using Applied Improvisation in Education When we think of applied improvisation, we perhaps think of theatre and classic mottos such as “Yes, And,” “Make your scene partner look good” or “Everything is a gift.” While this is true, we are seeing an expansion of the basic principles of applied improvisation into a growing set of applications to be used in a broad range of educational settings, helping students to become master learners, creators, adapters, collaborators, and communicators. Through spotlighting the [...]
Few things are more nerve-wracking than a job or college interview. So much is at stake; a lackluster performance could be all that stands between you and your dream education or your dream career! Even if your resume is filled with accomplishments and qualifications, that may not be enough to get the nod. You have to show to the person interviewing you that your resume is not just padding, but reflects who you are and what you have done. [...]
“In life, you’ve got to be able to think on your fee,” Frank says. “We’re here to help them find their voice, have fun and succeed.” KidScape Productions celebrates their 20th year working with students ages 3-18 years of age. Each workshop, training, and camp implements professional theatre techniques, Applied Improvisation, and comedy improvisation to help participants hone in on social cues, emotional understanding, and regulation, getting comfortable with the uncomfortable, teamwork, relatability, presentation skills and more! [...]
KidScape Productions is celebrating its 19th year using Applied Improvisation (AI) for essential life skills. Whether training is provided during school hours, after school, or during one of our camps and assemblies, the benefits are significant and lifelong. Applied Improvisation, when done correctly, offers participants a low stake environment to hone in on essential life and communication skills. AI uses the methodology of improvisation and is infused into business, school, relationships, and everyday life. While anecdotal data has demonstrated the benefits [...]
KidScape Productions helps students master important life skills that work on and off the stage.Our pedagogical tools offer students a fun and positive approach to self-actualization. Through hands-on engaging applications in professional role play, improvisation and acting techniques; participants learn to build, balance and enhance focus, optimism and cognitive flexibility. Hear a bit about what Hannah and Awa have to say: “Counselor training programs are tasked with ensuring students meet standards for knowledge and skilled application of various content [...]
