A Pilot Study Exploring the Potential of Improv in Strengthening Youth—Adult Partnerships

• Published in: Journal of youth development (Online) Vol. 17; no. 4; pp. 117 - 125
• Main Authors: Begun, Stephanie, Mayorga, Brigette, Bautista, Cam, Cooke, Krysta, Edwards, Travonne, King, Bryn, Olaosebikan, Hamzat, Whyte, Rae-Ann
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Pittsburgh University Library System, University of Pittsburgh 01-01-2022; Clemson University Press
• Subjects: Collaboration; Decision making; improv; Pandemics; Participation; Pilot projects; Power; Problem solving; Questionnaires; Social justice; Young adults; youth voice; youth-adult partnerships
• ISSN: 2325-4017; 2325-4009; 2325-4017
• DOI: 10.5195/jyd.2022.1268

This study qualitatively explored the potential of improv for strengthening youth–adult partnerships. Seven members of a youth-adult research collaborative participated in a 2-hour professionally facilitated improv workshop. Participants provided insights about their experiences through a follow-up qualitative interview questionnaire. Participants indicated that improv assisted in dismantling power differentials that often exist in youth–adult partnership contexts, also noting that improv helped them to express their true selves more readily, along with helping them to see new and more “human” sides to their team members. Participants were enthusiastic about accessing further improv opportunities, noting that improv should be embedded into other youth–adult partnership efforts, as such approaches were deemed particularly helpful in building relationships and trust. The further inclusion of improv activities in youth-serving intervention and prevention efforts would benefit from additional exploration as ways by which youth–adult collaborations might be innovated and strengthened.