Creating community and building connection through play: an improvisational response to the coronavirus pandemic

ABSTRACT

Responding to the call for ‘social distancing’ people around the world engaged in play together via the internet. While these activities could be seen as a diversion, they can also be understood as, along with wearing masks , essential to people surviving the pandemic. This qualitative study explores the experiences of people who participated in Creating Connection and Building Community Through Play, a series of five synchronous improvisational play sessions on Zoom. The sessions averaged 83 people with a total of 287 individuals from 29 countries participating in one or more sessions. Analysis revealed that virtual activities focused on relationality, improvisation and play provided people with connection and community in the midst of isolation, and that co-creating these experiences was emotionally healing for many. The findings advance our understanding of the importance of adult play for building and maintaining emotional health, creating community, and responding to ongoing challenges.

KEYWORDS:

• Improv
• performance
• lifespan development
• community

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Notes

1 For a complete copy of the questions contact the authors.

2 When the gender, age, or location of a survey respondent is known it is included with the quote.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Carrie Lobman

Carrie Lobman is Associate Professor in the Department of Learning and Teaching at Rutgers University and the pro bono Leader of Education and Research at the East Side Institute. Her research focuses on the relationship between play, performance, learning and development for people of all ages and backgrounds.

Marian Rich

Marian Rich is a performance activist, comic educator and play revolutionary. Trained as an actress, improviser and theatrical director, Marian has spent over 30 years designing and delivering improvisational workshops and programs in which people can come together and grow and develop. She is the co-author (with Carrie Lobman) of “Playing Around with Changing the World” and author of “A Year of Creating Heart in a Havenless World.” She is a founding member of the Global Play Brigade.