I had second thoughts as I pulled up to my first improv class. I had no idea what to expect—there was no hourly breakdown of what we were going to do. The perfectionist in me needed to be prepared, and she was not pleased at all.
I thought about going back home, but I am glad I didn’t.
As our first class started, we went from feeling out of place to experiencing a warm sense of community. The room filled with giggles and laughter as we learned everyone’s names and began our improv exercises.
Revisiting play
As kids, play was our default activity—it came so easily. It didn’t matter if it was with the friend we’d known since we moved into the neighborhood or the new kid on the block.
But as we grew up, playtime stopped. We went to important meetings, put on our serious faces, and learned to talk about the weather. Play was lost, and with it, we lost touch with our common humanity. The activities and atmosphere set by Ash (our instructor) encouraged us to revisit this younger, playful version of ourselves. It became easy to see each other as real, imperfect humans.
Failing happily
We did exercises where failing was inevitable. And fail we did—again and again. But through it, we laughed at ourselves and with each other. Failure wasn’t a cause for shame; it was just part of the process.
So often, we’re exposed to the shiny, perfected version of others, making us feel like we need to be perfect too. No one sees the hours we spend perfecting how we look or act. But going to class every week, where failure was normal and even welcomed, helped me internalize a different perspective. I learned to see both others and myself with more kindness and compassion.
Lessons Spilling Over
A few weeks in, I felt a mindset shift. I’ve struggled with perfectionism since childhood. Being a high achiever in school taught me that being perfect was a personality trait. As an adult, I spent hours preparing—researching the person I was about to meet or what I was going to say—because everything had to be perfect. Mistakes felt like a blow to my ego. But all of this was starting to change.
High Stakes Situation
Months after my improv classes ended, I found myself pitching my startup to investors. Transitioning from a somewhat shy accountant to a female founder standing in the spotlight was mildly terrifying.
I’d love to say that I remembered everything I learned from improv, and that was enough to calm me, but that’s not true—I was nervous.
But, as we entered the venue, I was calmer than expected. My co-founder and I chatted with people at the event and even shared a few laughs. Talking to them, remembering their human-ness, made a world of difference. I suddenly felt like I was back in class. The playfulness and ease I had discovered at improv surfaced again, and it made all the difference. I was excited to be there. It didn’t feel like just another task to check off my list.
This journey taught me so much about communication—and about myself. Many times now I don’t search for the right answer, I just improvise. If I get lost, I figure out another way.
And if there’s one takeaway I’d love to share, it’s this: even when you feel a little lost, go for something new and you might just stumble upon something extraordinary. ✨ You know when you take a wrong turn on the street, you’re lost, and suddenly you find the coolest coffee shop ever? That’s it.
Feeling a bit lost or stuck? That’s exactly where I was before I stepped into The Courtyard Playhouse. Trust me, improv is for anyone ready to rediscover joy, spontaneity, and connection in their life. Don’t just imagine the possibilities—experience them. Come and discover a side of yourself you never knew existed. After all, the stage is set, and your own adventure can now begin!
Be Less Serious
Did improv solve all my problems? No. But it helped me take myself a little less seriously and embrace being a bit silly. It showed me that I could try new things and be okay if I failed.
And that’s why, dear reader, I encourage you to give yourself permission to be silly. Play a game, wear mismatched socks, and, if you’re up for it, try an improv class. You never know where a more playful version of yourself might take you!
Janet Skaria
Janet is an accountant turned founder of Workcraft, an AI hiring startup. When she’s not working on her startup, she enjoys exploring improv, cooking, and reading.
