God, Improv, and the Art of Living
MaryAnn McKibben Dana
What did I know about improv before reading this book? Only that it was something I never wanted to do and even felt uncomfortable watching in case someone might ask me to come up on the stage. And yet, since I loved MaryAnn McKibben Dana’s previous book, Sabbath in the Suburbs, I knew there would be something for me in this book and I was right.
As I sat down at my desk (that I rarely use) to write this review, I found it hard to find the exact right words to describe how much I enjoyed this book. So, I looked around on my desk to see what had been sitting here for a long time without being give much attention. I found a package of cards I purchased from Suzanne L. Vinson at Silver Tree Art. I read these words, “Start where you are. Become your authentic self. Show up. Listen without judgement. Know you are enough. Be brave.” The words on these cards were what I learned from these pages. By encouraging us to look at life through the eyes of improv, this book is inviting us to do the exact same things described on these cards. Using current examples, personal stories, and Scripture, we read how our lives are already inspired by improv and we can embrace the uncertainties by putting the play of improv to work in our lives. “Say yes. Say and. Train your vision. Find your troupe. Find the right structure. Live more deeply. Go off-plan.” These are the seven principles and sections of this book. In each principle, you’ll see how you can live a life of improv. When I finished the book, I was delighted to read “Bringing Improv to Life: Exercises for Individuals and Groups”. If I still worked in youth ministry, I would be using the group exercises regularly. They are perfect for groups of all ages to get them to play together. The individual exercises are a great way for you to reflect on your reading and how improv fits into your life and faith.
“We meet an improvising God constantly in Scripture. God experiments, changes God’s mind, and works in partnership with God’s people to bring about the Yes that’s at the heart of improv–and also the gospel” (23).
I highly recommend this book for anyone who wants to read how their faith fits in with their daily life. Read this book. It does not disappoint, and you might even learn something.
