The centuries’ old art form has been hailed by Forbes magazine as a “phenomenal resource” that allows you to get out of your head and be in the moment in an energetic, supportive and fun setting. What’s not to like?
Perhaps a refreshing antidote to our technology-centric world, Melissa Dalton, founder of Luxembourg’s Dig Deep Improv School, suggests that “it’s like therapy,” describing a setting that can be as rare as hens’ teeth to find nowadays.
“There is no technology involved, no phones are needed. The exercises rely on responding immediately to each other and it requires 100 percent focus. It’s about basic human connection. It’s almost therapeutic in that way.”
Originally from Dublin, Melissa moved to Luxembourg from London in 2021, having previously lived in New York City before that. She began holding improv classes in Luxembourg City and has since been running regular one-off “taster” workshops as well as six-week courses for all levels including beginners. There is also an advanced course for those with more experience who wish to challenge themselves further.
She also runs Improv Jams where anyone can put their name in the Jam Jar and get up on stage to perform improv.
She outlines what it entails: “We make scenes on the spot based on a prompt and see where the muse takes us. Improv is based upon the principle of ‘yes and’ meaning we accept what has been offered to us and build upon it.”
“Improv is momentary and spontaneous, it doesn’t require any rehearsal, so it’s the perfect mid-week activity. You just show up to play and connect.”
Participants are in good hands as they are guided through the scenes and games by Melissa, who herself is a professional actor, treading the boards since she was five-years-old.
The ultimate multi-tasker, Melissa is also the host and producer of the popular live daily radio show ‘The Home Stretch’ on RTL’s Today Radio.
On top of all that, she recently filmed two feature films based in Luxembourg and also performs with Luxembourg’s English-language improv troupe The Garage Gang, of which she is a founding member.
A further string to her bow is her entrepreneurial flair and the name of her school is a touching tribute to her mother Carmel, who inspired her with the sage counsel growing up to “dig deep” and be fearless when facing challenges.
“Mam is an amazingly resilient person and has always supported my acting career and brought me to see lots of live theatre when I was a child.”
The initial appeal of improv theatre, according to Melissa, is its simplicity in that anyone can do it, you don’t need any special skills or talents, we all have the ability to play.
“Improv is not only fun and thrilling when you are doing it, but it can also have fantastic benefits helping us to be better listeners, more confident and able to deal with failure and mistakes.”
“The improv classes help us to become less self-conscious, think less and stay present. Teamwork, active listening, commitment, accepting mistakes and celebrating failure are all key to improv and these skills can have positive effects outside the workshops in our personal and professional lives.”
“I think that doing improv, doing a presentation, a speech at a wedding or sharing your idea in a meeting all takes strength and courage, but if we can find it in ourselves to be brave and we keep working on it it’s amazing how much strength and fearlessness we can muster up,” she emphasises.
Even in the corporate world the benefits of this art form are being recognised and Melissa has worked with an impressive array of clients including the EIB, Amazon, Ferrero and The University of Luxembourg using improv to enhance creativity, develop soft skills as well as team building.
Melissa says she strives to create a warm, supportive and safe environment where there is no pressure to be clever or funny; where you can just be yourself and enjoy the process.
“It’s about bringing back a sense of play and silliness in their daily lives and reconnect with their inner child. We haven’t lost it, it’s more the practice of it that we might have lost. But it’s still there,” she affirms.
Watching people blossom and reach their potential is the ultimate reward, she adds.
“Teaching Improv brings me an incredible amount of joy. It is fascinating to watch a group of people who don’t know each other gather together to try something new and a little nerve-racking. Yet within a short time they are putting themselves out there, surprising themselves and being silly.”
Improv Jam (show): 25 January, 7.30-9.30pm. Rocas Bar. Full info and tickets.
Exploring Longform Improv Workshop: 29 January, 7-9pm. Rocas Bar. Full info and tickets.
Improv Workshop: So long January blues 2! 30 January, 7-9pm. Rocas Bar. For all levels. Full info and tickets.
Fundamentals of Improv 6-week course: Tuesdays from 6 February-19 March with optional class showcase for family & friends. Location: Weeks 1-5 in Oscar’s Bar, Grund. Showcase in Week 6 on 19 March at Rocas Bar. Full info and tickets.
There is an exclusive discount for RTL Today readers for the 6 week course, just use the promo code ‘rtltoday’ when booking.
