Principles of Improv

Jacquie Lowell summarises the principles of Improv this way:

Acceptance of a new idea or approach from the standpoint of exploring the possibilities it has to offer. The attitude of "Yes, and".

Attentive listening to the partners with whom one is co-creating.

Temporary suspension of critical judgment, while in the option-generating phase.

An attitude of relaxed, even playful, openness to new ideas. Diverging out from the obvious into the far reaches of imagination. "What if ___?"

Reframing situations to explore creative possibilities. Shifting perspective, focus, position.

A willingness to take chances, to risk appearing foolish.

An understanding that no choice is absolutely right or wrong, though each may turn out to be more or less productive in a given situation - and this can often be discovered only through trial and error.