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Chapter Twelve
Jasper’s stomach was queasy as hell as he stood in front of the room with Monique and tried to center himself for the first class. He’d taken a ton of improv classes as a student but had never taught one, and standing up there, all those entrepreneurial eyes on him, made him feel like a giant fraud. Sure, he could probably make these people laugh, but that’s not what he was there for. He was there to try to help them with their businesses. The guy who was bumming off a friend for an apartment and who served coffee for a living was offering business advice. Why should they listen to him? Easy answer: they shouldn’t.
Monique moved closer and gave him an evaluating look. “You look pale again. Another organ gonna give out on you?”
“I’m fine. Just…this feels weird.” He gripped the stack of index cards where he’d listed improv games and notes and resisted the urge to fan himself with them like a southern lady on a hot day.
Monique’s red lips curved. “What? Being nervous? Yeah, I know what you mean. I feel like I’m the one taking my first class again.” She lifted her fist toward him. “But we got this, Jas. It’s just another audience. Another performance. You know, with a slide presentation and talking points and shit.”
Jasper let out a breath and rolled his shoulders before bumping his fist to hers. “Right. I think prepping for this has made it worse.”
“Has it?” She plucked his stack of notecards from his hand. “Problem solved.”
“Hey,” he said, reaching for the stack, but she held it out of his reach.
“Nope.” She tucked the cards into her back pocket. “Don’t start overthinking things now. You’re magic without a net, and I’m magic no matter what. We don’t need the cards. We just need our quick brains and stunning good looks.”
She batted her eyelashes at him and he laughed. “You’re right. Let’s do this.”
Jasper stepped over to the light switch and flicked it a few times to get everyone’s attention. “Ready to get started?”
Once the group had quieted down and everyone had taken their seats, Monique cleared her throat. “Welcome, ladies and bros, to our inaugural Hail Yes Improv for Business class!” She paused and when no one in the group responded, she put her hands on her hips. “Rule to remember: When I say exciting things in my cheerleader voice, you’re supposed to clap. Clap now, people. The quietest gets called on first.”
Cheers and claps erupted.
She smiled her bright smile. “Good job. Now I know you’re all chickens.”
A few nervous laughs drifted from the group. The first row of chairs was empty, which meant everyone was definitely dreading being called on.
Jasper joined Monique, facing the class, and mentally shook off his nerves. The group would never relax if he looked like he had a stick up his ass. His job was not just to teach them but to show them there was nothing to fear. “Before we get started, give yourself gold stars for showing up. I know the thought of doing improv is scary to most people. That’s completely normal. So it’s okay if you feel a little—or a lot—freaked out about this. The world tells us to ‘always be prepared’ and to ‘never let them see you sweat,’ and basically that it’s not okay to reveal to anyone that you don’t have it one hundred percent together at all times.”
There were a few nods of agreement in the audience. His gaze inadvertently flicked to the back row where Hollyn was sitting. Even though she wouldn’t be participating, something about having her there made him feel more energized about this whole venture. He wanted her to feel confident going into their one-on-one lesson tonight, so he needed to project his own confidence. He also maybe wanted to impress her a little. He knew from her Miz Poppy articles that she wasn’t easily impressed. At shows, he sometimes picked the most grim-faced person in the audience as his target. If he could get that person to laugh, the show was a success. Tonight, Hollyn was going to be his audience of one.
“But there’s nothing to fear here in this classroom,” Monique added. “This is a judgment-free zone.”
“Exactly,” he said. “There are no mistakes. That’s one of the most important rules of improv. In fact, what can feel like a mistake often leads to the best scenes or the biggest laughs—which, in your businesses, could mean the best ideas or opportunities. Think about how many things were invented by happy accident or by improvising—Post-It Notes, PlayDoh, microwaves, potato chips.”
“Right,” Monique said, jumping in. “Improv isn’t about making jokes. It’s about being open to discovery and possibility. This isn’t stand-up comedy. You don’t need to have one-liners in your pocket. This is a team sport. It’s about saying yes to others, thinking on your feet, supporting your team members, and removing road blocks to creativity.”
“All things that can translate into your business and to your team,” Jasper said, hitting his stride. Monique had been right about the index cards. Notes weren’t his style. He knew this stuff. He could do this. He loved this shit. “So we’ll start with going over a few more rules of improv. Then, we’re going to find some willing victims to do a few short-form games up here.”
“And by willing victims, he means I’m going to pick the quietest.” Monique cupped her hand around her ear.
The group cheered and Jasper laughed. They were off and running.
Forty-five minutes later, Jasper was buzzing with adrenaline as Monique wrapped up her section on the importance of agreement in improv. He and Monique had focused mainly on the “Yes, and” principle for this class—how to never block your partners’ ideas. Go with the ideas and then add to them. They linked the concept to brainstorming in a business and how it can help not to shut down any ideas during that initial stage.
They’d played a few simple games with a couple of brave volunteers, but now it was time to get the whole group involved. No more hiding. He raised a hand. “All right, everyone, class is about to wrap up, but before you go, we’re going to play a quick game that involves everyone. Please turn all of your chairs so that they form a circle.”
There were a few panicked looks.
“I promise this won’t hurt at all,” he added.
After a few murmurs, people got up and started dragging chairs across the floor to get them in order. Jasper watched Rodrigo, the fitness vlogger, head over to Hollyn and Andi to help move their chairs for them. Jasper frowned as Hollyn shook her head and lifted her notebook up to Rodrigo. Rodrigo ignored her protest and waved his hand to encourage her to join in. She glanced toward the front of the room, sending Jasper an SOS look. He was already striding over.
Jasper reached them before Hollyn’s chair could be moved. He put a hand on her elbow. “Hey, can I see you for a sec?”
She nodded quickly and smiled briefly at Rodrigo and Andi. “Excuse us.” Hollyn went with him, and he guided her off to the side. He could feel a little tremor go through her, like her anxiety was flooding in. When they got a good enough distance from the group, she said in a low, urgent voice, “It’s going to stand out if I don’t join in, but I’m not down with this.”
