How Improv Helped an Amazonian Overcome Stage Fear
Stepping Into the Unknown: What Improv Taught Me About Confidence and Conquering Fear
Imagine stepping onto a stage with nothing—no script, no plan—just a sea of expectant eyes waiting for you to create something out of thin air.
Your heart pounds. Your mind races. Every instinct screams at you to sit back down, to blend into the background where it’s safe.
Would you still choose to stay on stage, or would you make a quick exit?
If you had asked me a few weeks ago, my immediate answer would have been, “Don’t even go near that place.”
But in reality, I actually stepped onto the stage last week and performed. It was a mix of terrifying and exhilarating—but surprisingly, it felt a bit easier because it was improv.
What is Improv?
Let me tell you what improv is.
Improv, short for improvisational theater, is a live performance where actors spontaneously create scenes, dialogue, and characters in the moment—often inspired by audience suggestions. While it’s commonly associated with comedy, it can also explore other tones and themes.
Improv isn’t about playing it safe—it’s about jumping in headfirst, trusting that somehow, you’ll land on your feet. And in that terrifying yet thrilling moment, you realize: this is where the magic begins.
How I Found Improv
I discovered improv through Meetup when I came across an Improv Jam event in my area. Curious, I did a bit of research on Google and Reddit and found that improv has a ton of benefits.
But instead of listing those benefits here, let me say this—reading about it won’t do it justice. The best way to understand improv is to experience it for yourself.
After realizing how fun and rewarding improv can be, I registered for the event and showed up. They had a “Play or Pass” policy, meaning I could just watch if I didn’t feel comfortable participating.
My First Improv Experience
At first, that’s exactly what I did—I sat back and observed. But then, I decided to step in and play a few games. Let me tell you, improv games are ridiculously fun.
The event lasted two hours, and I stayed until the very end. I enjoyed it so much that I started attending more Improv Jam sessions after that.
Every time I go, I find that my mind becomes fully present. All my other worries fade away.
Taking It a Step Further
After a while, I learned that they offered beginner and advanced improv classes. I was instantly intrigued and signed up.
Let me be honest—attending my first class was extremely uncomfortable. The second class wasn’t any easier.
Unlike the Improv Jam events, which were open to anyone, the classes were structured for students like me, meaning participation wasn’t optional.
Actually, it was optional, but I wanted to actually learn, so I pushed myself outside my comfort zone and forced myself to try unfamiliar games.
Standing in front of 20 people and performing in real-time was nerve-wracking. The games required instant reactions, where my scene partner or the audience would throw in prompts, and I had to build on them.
But after a few classes, I started to feel a little more comfortable. My classmates and instructors were incredibly supportive. The course was an eight-week program, and by the seventh session, something unexpected happened.
The Big Challenge: Performing on Stage
Our instructor announced that after the final session, we would have a student showcase—a live improv performance in front of an audience.
At first, I immediately wanted to say no. The thought of performing in front of strangers made me panic. But then I told myself,
“Nobody in the audience knows me. Even if I mess up, no one will remember it forever.”
Plus, I already knew the games we’d be playing—although there would still be some spontaneous elements, since improv isn’t rehearsed.
Still, I had second thoughts. What if I went completely blank on stage? What if I froze while the audience stared at me? Performing in front of a large crowd felt impossible.
But I did it. I performed in front of 80 people.
Yes, I went blank for a few seconds, but guess what? The world didn’t end.
My stage fear actually started to fade. Now, I feel like I can let loose and embrace the craziness more than ever before.
Lessons (Re)Learned
You’re not as bad as you think.
We’re our own worst critics. But my classmates appreciated my facial expressions and comedic timing during Improv games.
Mistakes are part of the process.
I’ve made tons of mistakes in my improv classes. But instead of getting frustrated, I’ve learned to laugh them off and move on.
This mindset has spilled over into other areas of my life—even in performance reviews at work. I used to overprepare for them, taking them way too seriously. This year, I walked in without stressing, and I barely remember what was discussed. (Not ideal, but hey, at least I didn’t overthink it!)
If something goes wrong, I don’t beat myself up anymore. Instead, I think, “How can I improv this?”
Final Thoughts
Improv has taught me to be present, embrace the unexpected, and stop fearing mistakes. If you’ve ever been curious about trying it, I highly recommend jumping in.
Who knows? You might just surprise yourself. 🎭
I actually took just one improv class and completely get what you mean about it being both terrifying and exhilarating.
The biggest thing I took away was that you really don't need to feel completely ready to "perform" to actually do it. Improv teaches you to just start and trust that things will unfold. This mindset shift is incredibly helpful for reducing anxiety around performance and action in general.