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

Stephanie Begun, Brigette Mayorga, Cam Bautista, Krysta Cooke, Travonne Edwards, Bryn King, Hamzat Olaosebikan, Rae-Ann Whyte

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


Keywords


youth-adult partnerships; youth voice; improv

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References


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DOI: https://doi.org/10.5195/jyd.2022.1268

Copyright (c) 2022 Stephanie Begun, Brigette Mayorga, Cam Bautista, Krysta Cooke, Travonne Edwards, Bryn King, Hamzat Olaosebikan, Rae-Ann Whyte

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