Adults don’t play enough in their lives!

How many times in your life have you been held back for fear of looking like a fool? Not asking a question, worried about sounding dumb? Wanting to join that sports team, and deciding against it because you've never played? In my conversation with Amy Korth, I was reminded of the rewards that lie behind the chances we take, the relief that comes when we stop worrying about how we look, and the support of a community that helps us overcome social anxiety.

“Adults don’t play enough in their lives! So it’s going to be uncomfortable to start playing again, and to think you look like a fool. But what better way to access that youthful side of yourself than somewhere that’s safe?”

Amy is a member of OK, Dope Improv School. After deciding to polish her communication skills with Toastmasters, a public speaking organization, she was inspired to pursue performance through a looser medium. After one stand-up class, she was hooked. That experience catapulted her into her involvement with OK, Dope. OK, Dope is a comedy organization that hosts shows and offers classes. Their beginner improv classes are curated for individuals who want to combat social anxiety, relieve daily stress, pursue a new hobby, or simply laugh.

The classes are taught by Alex Foreman, an award-winning improviser with a history of training and performing with some of Canada's most notable improv companies, including Second City, Loose Moose, Vancouver Theatre Sports League, Urban Well Improv, First Time Last, and Victoria’s Paper Street Theatre. The organization has grown exponentially since it started in 2022.

“OK, Dope started in the back of my friend’s store with 3 people. Now there are two master classes and shows going on every week. Because these platforms are there, they can bring people in, they can host, it’s getting more interesting to be a part of.”

OK, Dope’s improv school has been gaining momentum in Victoria, and Amy attributes most of the success to its focus on community.

"OK, Dope has [a strong] community because my friend Lili Butterfield, who runs all the events, hosts a monthly community event. We go on hikes, we do yoga in the park... It’s a really good spot to meet people.”

When I asked Amy what she loves about improv and performing, she conveyed the reward of putting yourself in a vulnerable position and having the chances you take be celebrated through comedy.

“I love being scared, like, a little bit. There’s a healthy way to scare yourself.” Every time you attempt a joke, there is the question of whether it will land or not. It could bomb, or it could be received by your peers and the audience. This conversation with Amy encouraged me to reflect on how, as we grow up, we are conditioned to hold back and not say what we mean, for fear of social repercussions. What if I sound stupid? What if they don’t think I'm funny? “Every single person feels that fear, but the payoff at the end is so worth it ... even if you never get good at improv.”

Improv provides an opportunity to face that anxiety head-on and to use your brain in the way that we, as adults, have been conditioned not to. In a world where we feel so much pressure to be refined, it’s refreshing to let it go, say what comes to mind, and let it lead you where it may.

“It's the safest place because the chances you take are being celebrated. No one is ever going to say to you in an improv class, ‘that's too stupid’ or ‘that's too crazy.’”

Having a community that celebrates you for putting yourself out there provides an unshakable foundation for leading an honest and fulfilling life.

Whether you are inspired to attempt improv, perform at an open mic, or attend the comedy shows Victoria has to offer, this winter, engage with the youthful side of yourself that follows your ideas, good or bad. Say what you mean, start that club, join a sport you’ve never tried and will be bad at. One day, you won’t be bad at it, or at the very least, you’ll have fun trying.

If you just want to be in the audience: • The Mint: https://www.themintvictoria.com/shows • OK, Dope HQ: https://comedycalendar.ca/victoria/venues/ok-dope-hq/ • Intrepid Theatre: https://intrepidtheatre.com/shows/ • Theatre Skam: https://www.gardencityimprov.com/shows • The Coda: https://gotothecoda.com/calendar • Hecklers Comedy Bar: https://hecklers.ca/comedy-%26-events-1 If you are interested in taking improv classes: • https://www.ok-dope.com/ • https://www.paperstreettheatre.ca/classes.php • https://www.gardencityimprov.com/classes