Welcome to part 2 of our new feature looking at improv. Now it’s not just me who has had their life changed by improv, many people have and we are going to hear their stories!

Today we hear from Mariana, who is part of improv troupes such as 20% Less and Talking Dog. 

Improv changed my life dramatically! – I should maybe say the person who introduced me to improv changed my life dramatically as everything I’ll write here has much more to do with their belief and support in me rather than the fact I do improv. However, improv is a big part of it and the reason this articles are being written. That’s a technically accurate sentence that let’s me be part of this series!

I’m a shy introvert who was brought up to be a strong, independent person who should work for realistic objectives and never let feelings get in the way. Improv got in my life at a moment when I was exploring new life paths as those realistic objectives hadn’t really panned out as I had realistically planned them. It has created a great deal of new objectives whose realistic characteristics are still to be assessed, but which are the ones I’m currently working towards.

I had never seen myself as a funny person, but today I confidently call myself a comedian! Improv was the door into a whole universe I had never realised was available to me. Today I perform regularly with my two improv teams (20% Less & Talking Dog); I write character and sketch comedy, which I also perform on stage; I write and perform stand-up; and I create and produce my own shows – comedy has pretty much become a huge chunk of my life. And no, I don’t think I’m a clueless, unfunny person taking a complete misstep. I now do think I’m funny!

I’m still a shy introvert, but as the strong, independent person I am, I can’t let that get in the way of doing what I want to do. The stage has an oddly protective characteristic that makes me feel less self conscious and I really want to get the things I write out there. I also want to produce the shows I want to see and that makes that big, ugly monster people call networking a lot easier to face. And the feelings – those feelings I’ve left at the back of the drawer, covered by everything available to make them stay there, hidden – they turn out to be a valuable tool in this comedy thing. So much material to write about!!!

None of this has really managed to help me pay my rent or feed myself. I’m also a photographer, highly versatile content producer who will happily help you out with your social networks and I will also help you run your event. So, you know, ping me if you have a job for me.

Hustle, hustle all the time and take every opportunity to promote yourself – biggest lesson learned!