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

Authors

Stephanie Begun, Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work, University of TorontoFollow
Brigette Mayorga, University of TorontoFollow
Cam Bautista, University of TorontoFollow
Krysta Cooke, University of TorontoFollow
Travonne Edwards, University of TorontoFollow
Bryn King, University of California, BerkeleyFollow
Hamzat Olaosebikan, University of TorontoFollow
Rae-Ann Whyte, University of TorontoFollow

Abstract

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 youthserving intervention and prevention efforts would benefit from additional exploration as ways by which youth–adult collaborations might be innovated and strengthened.

Recommended Citation

Begun, Stephanie; Mayorga, Brigette; Bautista, Cam; Cooke, Krysta; Edwards, Travonne; King, Bryn; Olaosebikan, Hamzat; and Whyte, Rae-Ann (2022) "A Pilot Study Exploring the Potential of Improv in Strengthening Youth–Adult Partnerships," Journal of Youth Development: Vol. 17: Iss. 4, Article 8.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.5195/jyd.2022.1268
Available at: https://tigerprints.clemson.edu/jyd/vol17/iss4/8