School of Social Work Faculty Publications and Presentations

Three Social Work Professors Walk into an Improv Class: How We Applied Performance Art in Social Work Education at a Hispanic Serving Institution

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

4-2025

Abstract

The first three authors began learning improvisation acting to enhance their teaching. Improvisation (improv) is the art of unscripted and spontaneous acting. Settings and characters are collaboratively created and developed on the spot. The authors illustrate how they used improv exercises in their teaching to energize research and clinical classes. The second author used improv exercises gradually increasing in complexity. The exercises served as ice breakers and to help students critically and actively process the lessons. The third author hired professional improv actors to enhance a lesson on giving family therapy. The actors—a wife and husband—entered the classroom in-character as a family seeking therapy for adjustment to parenting. In this situation, the professor had the flexibility to “pause” the session to facilitate student discussions on the techniques they were using and brainstorm how to proceed, something that would not be possible in work with real clients. These improv exercises are structured to be accessible to those new to theater. The authors conclude that that the exercises are great for developing communication, listening, and cooperative skills that enhance teaching. With this manuscript, the authors aim to pique the reader’s interest in using improvisation acting in teaching.

Comments

© 2025 British Association of Social Workers.

https://www.tandfonline.com/share/SCY5DRZWHTZTGHKYIWHP?target=10.1080/09503153.2025.2453704

Publication Title

Practice

DOI

10.1080/09503153.2025.2453704

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