Applied Improvisation Network – My Tribe!
I was very fortunate to have the privilege of being invited to speak at the Applied Improvisation
Network’s conference in Paris this past month!
My topic was “Child Development Through Improvisation.” I can’t tell you how gratifying it was to meet improvisation teachers from around the world who are applying improvisation in practical ways of all kinds. There were people from every vocation applying the true gifts and benefits improvisation has to offer in so many constructive ways!
The goal that I kept hearing was to “change the world through improvisation” over and over again, and lofty as that may sound, I absolutely agree that with the determination I witnessed at the conference. There’s no doubt in my mind that we will get to that place, eventually. In fact, I attended my first Applied Improvisation Network Conference last year and it was approximately 5,000 members strong worldwide. One year later it’s over 7,000 strong and growing every day.
To me this is extremely exciting news. I honestly feel like I found my “tribe” considering I’m about to celebrate Total Improv Kids’ 20th anniversary. Imagine an army of improvisers from all around the world teaching people how benefit from improvisation and how to apply it to make a positive different in their lives. HOW EXCITING IS THAT?!
After my talk I was approached by teachers from Switzerland, Romania, Belgium, and San
Francisco and Seattle, all expressing an interest in the “Fulton Method.” Many of them want to start classes of their own using my method! I am so excited that a few of them have already contacted me after the conference to connect with me already so they can get started.
On a side note, I also had a stay in Vienna, Austria where I went on a search to try and find some laundry soap. I needed help as there were so many choices and they didn’t look like they were for hand washing. Fortunately, there was a young woman behind me and I was so lucky she spoke English. After we found what I needed, we wound up going to the checkout together. She asked me what I did and I told her I taught improvisation to kids for empowerment not comedy. Her eyes lit up and she told me she was a school teacher and was very interested in learning more. So I gave her my card and promised her that I would help her in any way I can. In fact she had a couple of other teachers that she thought would be interested also. The feeling I got from the excitement they showed was more than just a little gratifying. It made all the years of trial and error so worth it. It was then that I decided to reach out to as many teachers from around the world that I can.
I’m sure I will when I attend the next AIM conference in New York. Then again at the conference after that and after that and after that. I feel so fortunate to have found the Applied Improvisation Network. If anyone reading this is interested in learning more about AIM you can find them at AppliedImprovisationNetwork.com.