Offer-block-accept.

In three words, the success or failure of impro-theatre.

Two actors on stage.  The first says, “Where’s my elephant?” – here’s the offer.

The second actor replies: “What elephant?” – block.

But the second actor could have said, “You know he’s being stuffed?” – accept.

The first reply allows the scene to go nowhere, the second leaves us wondering, “What next?”

Impro may exaggerate, but it does shed light on life: we are the ones who daily block or accept offers and possibilities.  (I’m thinking of the positive and good kind, not the nasty ones.)

Life offers us opportunities to produce our art – art is the essential work of our lives when we’re connecting with the world, with others, and with our future Self.

We can block  – the industrial mindset still prevails, and life is the production of more same old same old.

Or we can accept – because we are perhaps living at an unprecedented time in history.

Your turn.