I wanted to be writing to you about how to have a meaningful adventure in Peru via responsible travel. I also wanted to be writing to you about lessons learned from Peruvian improvisers that I worked with in Lima. Instead, I’m writing to you about resilience after a storm.
In the days leading up to Hurricane Matthew’s arrival in Florida, my husband and I were making contingency plans as we figured our flight out of Miami would be in jeopardy. However, once we realized the severity of the storm predictions, and the path it was predicted to take, travel contingency plans turned to evacuation plans. In less than 24 hours, we secured our house as best we could and made arrangements for our dog, our cats and ourselves – all of us going to different towns across Florida. While we had good fortune on several accounts as our pets were in good hands and we were celebrated my birthday on my cousin’s farm during the evacuation, the storm weighed on my mind throughout the weekend. In fact, I can’t say I was the most present houseguest as I worried about the fate of our house, our neighbors who stayed behind, and, St. Augustine – our adopted town that I’ve grown to love.
A common sight in St. Augustine after Hurricane Matthew came through.
After we returned to an intact house and a mess of a yard, we cleaned up, helped community members clean out houses that were no longer inhabitable and then we supported our local businesses. (And, yes, we also submitted travel insurance forms.) However, during that time, a malaise set in as I had watched so many storm-related news reports and I had seen first hand, during the community clean ups, how it had hurt local people. So, we decided to salvage the last leg of our aborted trip and spent 36 hours in Miami Beach. What was the best part of that experience? Riding the Miami Beach Citi Bikes for miles — because the scenery was beautiful, and, more importantly because it represented moving forward with each turn of the pedals. And that’s when the improv mindset started to return.
To be resilient after a disaster, we can use these improv tools:
1. Take action – One small action step in an improv scene can be the reason the scene happens at all. One small action step after a disaster can mean the world to the person, place or business that the action step helps. Many people taking small steps has more of an impact than a few people carrying the load.
2. Support each other – An unsupported improviser on stage means a team has malfunctioned. In communities we need to understand that all of us processes disasters differently and each person’s reality is their own. Support, without judgment, means everyone feels heard and validated.
3. Serve the bigger picture – Improv is about building an ensemble and disaster recovery involves getting whole communities back on their feet. Setting aside the mindset of what’s fast and easy for “me” in order to support “we” can build stronger groups. The simple act of shopping local rather than via chain stores can help breathe life back into a town.
In improv no one is responsible for everything as each ensemble member adds a gift to create something that wouldn’t have otherwise existed without each person’s contribution. After a disaster, if everyone contributes something – no matter how small, recovery becomes a collaborative process.
UPCOMING SHOWS:
Laughter can be therapeutic. Grab tickets to one of these shows to shake off the post-storm blues, and, you’ll also be supporting the show hosts – both are local businesses.
SHOW: Caffeinated Comedy
Friday, November 4th, 7:30 p.m.
City Bistro
Not just any comedy show, Caffeinated Comedy features a blend of the sassiest local stand up + improv talent including It’s All About Amy. Our host, City Bistro, presents a special menu as well as coffee blends + cocktails in celebration of our comedy experience.
SHOW: Dating Horror Stories with 3 Blind Dates
Sunday, November 13th
Mingle with 3 Blind Dates & share dating stories: 6 p.m.
Show: 6:30 p.m.
Limelight Theatre
An unscripted romantic comedy, 3 Blind Dates follows 3 single ladies through a round of speed dating and the dates that occur as a result. The twist? The audience selects which speed dater goes on a date with each of the ladies! You may have thought Halloween would be over by November, but the horror continues for these singles!
Please visit The Adventure Project’s calendar for more details – and tickets.
