The art of improvisation: Steve Matuszak at TEDxVirginiaTech

Steve Matuszak, currently a Virginia Tech Masters student in Communication, earned dual degrees in Theatre and Communication from the Miami University of Ohio. Beginning his career in acting, stand-up comedy and professional improvisation in the 1980s, he has opened for such greats as Frank Gorshin and Drew Carey. Matuszak served as the Executive Director of Chicago Comedy & Training Company, a corporate-entertainment company from 1995 until 2007. He is the creator of Comedy With A Cause, an arts educational company that provided improvisation-based training and educational programs to schools. Matuszak offers his perspective on The Art of Improvisation: Preparing to be Unprepared. It is said that improvisation is the ability and the willingness to start from nothing. If, however, one starts from nothing, anything is possible.
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In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized.* (*Subject to certain rules and regulations)

[@todd072]

Very nicely done Steve! I joined an improv troupe back in February and as uncomfortable as it's been for me, the benefits definitely outweigh the detriments. I find the attitude that we learn there reaches into everything else I do!

[@stevematuszak1130]

Todd - you are doing improv!! That is amazing! So cool!

[@judichristopher4604]

Excellent!!!! I have watched this many times and learn something every time I watch it... I teach Improv in my Acting Class and encourage my students and their families to use it in every day situation... Thank you for such a great video... ;)

[@angelapereira9370]

cool

[@PicardPaint]

"my idea, my idea - bam bam bam!" Excellent talk Steve! enjoyed hearing you speak (much like those few talks we had in the past) creative minds . . . there are no barriers for them. . . and it is not always good to edit someone else because your view point differs.

[@stevematuszak1130]

Hey Greg! Thanks for the message!! Hope you are doing well!!

[@BareFanni]

Couldn't have put it more eloquently myself. I'm a big advocate of the importance of Improvisation in every day life and not just when treading the boards. I've shared this video out as it's so wonderful.
Thanks

[@stevematuszak1130]

Thank you!

[@simonbrenton5009]

Brilliant! I just love doing Improv, this was so helpful and inspiring!

[@stevematuszak1130]

That's great! I hope you keep at it!

[@me_am_zac]

Good stuff Steve Carell

[@bobsana4590]

Steve Carell is a God

[@Hotstuff882cool]

One of my favorite talks to date!

[@stevematuszak1130]

Thanks!

[@stevenaemi]

You're a long way from Tower Players... great job, Steve. You are an entertainer by nature.

[@stevematuszak1130]

Thanks! Clearly, I never knew this comments section existed until now ( I didn't post this video). I am quite a bit behind the times.

[@boyboymanma]

9:58 *G I V E M E Y O U R M O N E Y O R I A M G O I N G T O T A Z E R Y O U*

[@BeastMasterNeil]

Top research institution, and he's talking too them like they're preschoolers.

[@GWOSAPAT]

I get a Jerry Sienfield vibe from him

[@stevematuszak1130]

I get that too sometimes, but mainly Steve Carrell

[@LC-xg5jl]

Solid ideas in this talk, it is a myth however that people don’t use most of their brains.

[@MrAndrew201]

L C dont take what he said about it so seriously lol

[@stevematuszak1130]

That may be true. I don't have any data on that but I will need to look into it more. Thanks for the thought.

[@harishadithya448]

Be aware of the situation, observe for the tools, integrate them based on your needs, Act. Simple.

[@stevematuszak1130]

So true.

[@alanfocil8650]

Everything he says is on a book called "Improvisation for the spirit" from Katie Goodman.

[@stevematuszak1130]

Alan, I have worked professionally in this art form in the past for many years. Many people who perform and teach this art form tend to utilize similar language and inevitably hit on some common themes. I have never read that book, which demonstrates the inherent commonalities of experience and insight that many improvisers share when they teach or dissect the values and integrations of the art of improvisation. It is quite common for people to write, teach, direct, and explain the art of improvisation from their own perspective and yet wind up having overlaps in perspective. But I appreciate you mentioning this writer, I love reading others' perspectives as well. Steve

[@watersilk]

perfectly said :)

[@kylaestoya]

That was great!
P.S
He kinda looks like Michael Scott haha!

[@joejohnson9659]

start a scene hun... GIVE ME YOUR MONEY OR IM GONNA TASER YOU! watch out headphone users

[@stevematuszak1130]

I never thought of that! That would be a hilarious scene - the guy who's trying to mug a millennial who can't hear him.

[@redareda6683]

@@stevematuszak1130 thats not what he meant, what he was saying is that the woman's microphone is too loud that it hurts headphone users, and it did hurt my ears for sure

[@sybaritesphynx8057]

He is kinda cute :)

[@MrDevgames]

looks like a combo of steve carrel and don draper from mad men

[@MrAndrew201]

Devon Sacre .......Agreed

[@stevematuszak1130]

Ha! Hilarious. I can see that now that you say it.

[@paulfitzpatrick96]

9\11 bill Cosby robin Williams Ferguson Missouri German wings cockpit this video if you saw Ted 2 you know what they all have in common

[@BoredWithPlots]

Please tell me that this is satire.

[@stevematuszak1130]

It's not.

[@wholeshebang1]

Life is improv!