Help Desk 4 Creatives: The Blessing of the “Yes, and…”

By Merritt Minnemeyer
arttimesjournal June 21, 2018

There is a rule in theater - specifically, improvisation - known as “Yes, and…” This refers to the practice of remaining open to receiving new creative energy as it comes to you from your scene partner(s), and then building on it and sending it back in turn to keep the scene moving forward. The idea is that the exchange allows for creativity to flow freely, and that the process builds trust amongst the actors so their imaginations can run wild, safely. For example:

Actor one (enters screaming): Ahhhh! Help! My hair is on fire and these evil chickens are trying to zombify me!

Actor two: I’ll save you! Here’s a bucket! (throws a bucket of “water” to actor one).

Actor one: Great! I’ll distract the evil zombie chickens with the bucket! But what do I do about this fire on my head!

You can see (hopefully) from this silly snippet that the possibility for more wacky antics opens the door for further story, conflict, and comedy.

What happens when the actors do not employ “Yes, and…”? Perhaps something like this:

Actor one: (enters screaming): Ahhhhh! Help! My hair is on fire and these evil chickens are trying to zombify me!

Actor two: Not my problem. (turns and exits the stage).

End Scene.

In this scenario, the initial idea was rejected, and the creative exchange was cut off. It had nowhere to go. No more story. The energy is stifled, and both artists and audience are left unsatisfied.

“Yes, and…” is a rule that I have often employed in my life off stage in some of my most fulfilling and invigorating moments. There are times, admittedly, when I am a mite overzealous, and took on so much that I began to drown in all the “yes.” As I have matured, I have learned to moderate the impulse and to balance enthusiasm with discernment; I have developed some healthy boundaries around what is good for me to take on, and what might send me over the edge in the cavern of chaos (of course there is always room to grow in this area). Still, approaching each day with “Yes, and” keeps me open for new insight and possibilities, and ensures that I indeed rarely endure a dull moment.

Remaining open to our own growth and the challenges presented by our surroundings can be overwhelming. Letting this result in us shutting down to all possibilities, however, is devastating to creativity. When we close ourselves off to what scares or frustrates us, we cut ourselves off from real growth, leaving our inspiration scratching at the door of our greyed-out psyche.

I am not purporting that everyone go nuts and throw all caution to the wind. I am advocating for intellectual curiosity, emotional availability, and spiritual readiness (whatever that means to you). What can you say “yes” to today? How does that feed your creativity? AND what can you offer it in return?

Wishing you a “Yes, and…” in your day.

And refuge from zombie chickens.

Merritt holds a BFA in Acting, an MPS in Humanistic/Multicultural Education, and is a life-long practitioner and educator in a plethora of artistic media. She is pleased as punch to be serving the arts community in her current role as facilitator of funds after nearly 20 years as a funds-seeker. She lives in Ulster County with her three vibrant sons, and two goofy pound pups, newly adopted kitty, and one remarkably darling husband.

Have a question, comment, or a suggestion for a topic? Merritt would love to hear from you! Please contact her at grants@artsmidhudson.org .