Improvisation is not just a skill for comedians or actors. It is also a valuable tool for live event speakers who want to engage their audience, adapt to unexpected situations, and deliver memorable messages. In this article, you will learn how improvisation can make you a better live event speaker and how to practice it in your preparation and performance.
Improvisation is the art of creating and performing something spontaneously, without a script or a plan. It involves using your imagination, intuition, and creativity to respond to the present moment and the feedback from your audience. Improvisation can help you overcome stage fright, cope with technical glitches, and add humor and personality to your speech.
Improvisation is important for live event speakers because it allows you to connect with your audience on a deeper level, show your authenticity and confidence, and deliver a more impactful and memorable speech. By improvising, you can tailor your content and style to the specific context and needs of your audience, rather than relying on a rigid or generic script. You can also use improvisation to handle questions, comments, or interruptions from your audience, and to turn them into opportunities for engagement and learning.
We are captivated by authenticity. Although we can appreciate a well-delivered and expertly crafted speech, it does run the risk of feeling contrived and over-rehearsed. When someone is able to react to the room, it is exciting and impressive. There is a fine line between being well prepared and being rigid. Being adept at improvisation and having the ability to read-the-room allows a speaker to deliver their well practiced speech, but retain an element of spontaneity. A good example of this is stand up comedians who are extremely precise but willing to deviate from the script when the feeling from the audience demands it.
One of the best ways to practice improvisation before your live event is to rehearse your speech in different scenarios and with different audiences. For example, you can try speaking in front of a mirror, a friend, a colleague, or a video camera, and vary the length, tone, and format of your speech. You can also ask for feedback and suggestions from your listeners, and incorporate them into your next rehearsal. Another way to practice improvisation is to play some improv games or exercises that challenge your creativity, spontaneity, and flexibility. For example, you can try to tell a story using random words, or to speak about a topic for one minute without pausing or repeating yourself.
When utilizing improvisation during your live event, you don't have to disregard your structure, goals, or key points. It just means that you must be attentive to the cues and signals from your audience, and alter your speech accordingly. For instance, you can start with an icebreaker or a hook that relates to your audience or the event's theme. You could also use stories, anecdotes, or examples that are pertinent and personal to your audience. Additionally, you could ask questions or invite feedback from your audience, and answer their answers or reactions. Furthermore, you can use humor, gestures, or props to make your speech more vibrant and entertaining. You can also change the pace, tone, or volume of your speech to match the mood and energy of your audience. Lastly, you can conclude with a call to action or a takeaway that summarizes your main message and energizes your audience.
Improvisation in public speaking should be an "ace-up-the-sleeve" and not a planned or premeditated move. That removes the essence of improvisation. Improvisation is there if you need it. Therefore, when speaking the goal should not be to improvise. Rather the goal is to hit your intentions, content and delivery, but have a willingness and preparedness to go off piste and improvise, if the situation or dynamic calls for it. There's no need to improvise for the sake of improvising if it does not positively contribute to your overall speech. In a sense, improvisation when public speaking can therefore be seen as a mindset. One is on standby to be spontaneous and reactive. Someone trying too hard to improvise feels inauthentic.
If you want to be a successful live event speaker, you need to develop some skills and strategies that will help you improvise. Prepare for your speech, but be flexible and ready to adapt if needed. Relax and have fun with your audience, don't be afraid of making mistakes. Listen to and observe what your audience is saying, doing, or feeling and use it to guide your speech. Be positive and supportive; accept and build on ideas from the audience. Lastly, be yourself and be authentic; speak from your heart and share your passion with the audience. With practice, improvisation can help you create an engaging, memorable speech that delivers your message effectively.
First thing to consider is if those who might be improvising are capable of doing so effectively. The last thing you want is awkward moments that could have been avoided with proper preparation. “Proper Preparation Prevents Poor Performance” holds true in most cases. That said, authentic interaction that is not scripted is hugely valuable if done so by connecting to an audience with vulnerability, tasteful and relatable humor or personable charm. A good event host can make or break an event simply due to their ability to draw an audience effectively. So, if adding improvisation, it should be understood that you need someone who does it well. Otherwise, stick to the script.
It allows you to connect with your audience on a more personal level. It also shows your personality, making you approachable.