I have been improvising since 2002 and seriously coaching and teaching since 2008. That adds up to a lot of conversations with people about how and why we do what we do. This blog is an exploration for me to try and get my thoughts down and possibly get feedback on them. Right now, my focus in my own work and with teams I coach is to push beyond the mantra of "yes and" to a place where the content of those offers is important–where we are adding depth not just details (thanks Amy Jordan). And we do so by making information instinctive.

September 12, 2013

House Teams

September 12, 2013/ Brian Gray

Pittsburgh just got a new wave of house teams. Apparently New York did too.

Back when I was more involved choosing teams, I wish I had had the courage and clarity to post some of my thoughts publicly that I had shared privately with those who were concerned enough to ask. Not specifics of one person's auditions or another, but the kind of insights Will Hines shares in the posts below. They are reflective and offer his perspective from the other side of the desk. (I'm not saying Pittsburgh has the same issues, but I respect his candor).

Teams Are Valuable But Overrated

What does "there aren't enough spots" mean and why does that sound like a half-hearted way of cheering up people not selected?

Brian Gray

I am an optimistic person. I believe the world is a beautiful place and that I am lucky to be a part of it.

I write software for a living (for Summa, an amazing Pittsburgh consultancy). I am passionate about creating self-managing teams, continually improving software process through reflection and experimentation, and keeping the needs of users and business owners in the forefront to develop software people really need.

My other life is improvisation. I am the Executive Director of the Pittsburgh Comedy Festival (coming August 2014) , and a regular performer at Arcade Comedy Theater and Steel City Improv Theater I never expected improvisation to be such a big part of my life, but I spend a lot of time thinking about how to push my own work and how to teach it more effectively.

I love and do a lot of other stuff too (movies, board games). This is where I organize it all.

Beyond Yes And (Blog)

House Teams

Brian Gray

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