How improv can improve your public speaking skills

What is improv?

You’ve probably heard of improv shows, which are commonly held in comedy clubs. Short for “improvisation,” improv is all about being in the moment. Performers at an improv show must come up with characters, plots, dialogue, and gestures during the skit, which means there’s no script to follow. Initial plot points often start as suggestions from audience members and turn into a completely original idea as the skit progresses. Improv shows are especially fun because no two shows are the same, so you never know what to expect.

Ways that improv can help with public speaking

Even if you don’t plan on performing in an improv show, practicing improv skills can help you talk in front of audiences more confidently. Here are some reasons why improv can boost your public speaking skills:

Learn how to go off script

A dreadful scenario that might occur when speaking in front of people is to forget what you’re saying mid-sentence. Presentations may not always go as planned. And no matter how many times you rehearse, you can always be thrown off guard by a question or interruption from the audience. Improv can help overcome these unexpected scenarios. Learning to improvise can prepare you for these situations and help you continue talking while you gather your thoughts.

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Improv can be especially helpful for sudden situations where you don’t have a speech prepared. For instance, giving a toast at a wedding or having to fill in for someone during a presentation are two scenarios where you might not have had time to come up with good talking points. With improv skills, you will have a better sense of how to form words with little prep time.

Engage with the audience

An engaging presentation keeps the audience from getting bored. Improv depends on audience engagement and humor, skills that can translate well when giving presentations. Encouraging audience participation, by asking questions and telling stories relevant to your topic, can make your words seem more personal and help the audience feel included. Just like how an improv actor needs to keep the show interesting, your presentation or speech should capture the audience’s attention with adequate engagement. You can pair your engaging skills from improv with design tips and visual aids to really knock your presentation out of the park.

Get better at talking naturally

It might feel reassuring to memorize what you’re going to say, but your words might end up sounding rehearsed. Knowing what you need to say is important, but improv can help you work on your delivery. Practicing improv will allow you to get more comfortable with talking in front of an audience without a script. By learning how to create dialog as it happens, you’ll get more familiar with the process of thinking on your feet and speaking freely. Talking naturally will help you sound more genuine and confident.

How can I practice improv?

You don’t have to become an improv professional to obtain the skills. Find a local theater that offers improv classes or gather some friends to try it with. If the idea of practicing improv is intimidating, try observing a few improv performances first to get a better sense of how it works. Improv might seem difficult, but we often forget that most of the stuff we say and do is improvised. You’re already a natural at improvising everyday conversations, so why not take the next step and try improvising some dialogue on stage?