IT MAGAZINE IT MAGAZINE - DECEMBER ISSUE | Page 33

INSPIRATIONAL
TALES
Overcoming Fears
An article by : GRELLA , Peter Robert
“Follow the fear.”
Seems like odd advice to give someone.
We are taught to avoid fear, to run away
from it.
“Follow the fear.
”What if I do and I fail?
“Follow the fear.”
This a quote (of many) attributed to
the late, great Del Close, an improv
teaching legend and one of the fathers of
modern improvisational theater. Most of
us who perform and teach improv follow
this advice every time we go on stage.
But what does it mean?
First, let’s define ‘improv.’ Improv
(short for improvisation) is a type of
theatre in which everything (the scenes,
dialogue, characters, etc) is made up on
for over 11 and a half years and I get
asked by audience members all the time:
“Don’t you get afraid on stage? You don’t
even have a script!”
The short answer is... yes. The long
answer is a bit more complicated.
When I say ‘yes’ I don’t mean that I’m
afraid of getting physically injured or
something bad happening. Instead, it’s
more of a fear of failing or being judged.
Fears that all of us experience often,
especially when put in a new or
unknown situation.
the spot based on audience suggestions.
Many people are familiar with improv
through the television show ‘Whose Line
Is It Anyway.’
I have been performing and teaching
improv in Hong Kong and around Asia 
IT Magazine / December Issue
31