Whole worlds get made from seemingly so little. Photo by Kevin McShane.

In longform improvisation, the process is the product – this show we are making is what the audience pays to see. I have known writers in the past that roll their eyes at improvisation. “Why would I perform my first draft?” Improvisation isn’t YOUR first draft. It is a work we make together, it is OUR show. It is built from the collection of thoughts, emotions and ideas in the room at that hour. It is a perfect representation of that moment in time and space, ephemeral and magic.

Collaboration, to me, is individual thoughts and ideas brought together to make a cohesive whole. There is give and take of leadership, adaptation to situations as they come up, listening for patterns, no holding back. I don’t think it is everyone nodding and smiling. There is a difference between group think and what improvisors call group mind. There is conflict around ideas, but there is always respect and openness. Tina Fey articulates this in an interview with Google’s Executive Chairman Eric Schmidt.

Collaboration looks like everyone in the room playing at the top of their game, listening deeply to information and ideas and putting forth a cohesive piece. To me, great collaboration looks a lot like a great improv show.

This post was originally written for Entrepreneurship at ASU.

Authors@Google: Tina Fey

So what rule to break? Probably nothing that will cause permanent damage. Hopefully something that is exciting. I love to make things, so an added bonus would be to have something to hang around for a while, to remind me. Enter a fairly boring Ikea hand-me-down and a Sharpie. And the resonating voices in my head to only draw on paper.

And Arizona State University.

My hands have been very busy for the last few months, at work, at home and now at school. I am taking a class this semester called Creative Environment. I am very much looking forward to what this class has to offer in terms of the creative process.
The class I’m teaching this semester has much to do with drawing and painting. It will be a good thing for everyone in the room, including myself.
I have been working on the quilt for our bed. I am surprised by how much more hand piecing I’m doing, but it makes quiet and meditative work. Nice after a long day. The women who came before me may have been on to something…

The turtle quilt and a friend have found a happy home. It is nice to have a completed project or two under my belt. I’m really good at starting them, finishing them doesn’t come so quickly. More pics in Crafty Von Craftmeister.

socks, originally uploaded by Nin(j)a.

I’m wearing socks for the first time in months, because I’m in denial that our summer lasts through October. It will be 106 degrees today here in Tempe, Arizona…
Most days I manage.
Today, I’m wearing socks and making wishes.