Steve Ling Takes the Stage: Balancing Work and Play

On a Friday night at the Producers Club Theater in Midtown, six people move from the audience to the stage. “Can I get a suggestion from the audience,” asks one of the performers, an audience member calls out “dinosaurs” and the scene begins.

What happens next is an exercise in quick thinking and a collaboration of imagination that gives birth to a story about irritated dinosaurs complaining about their problems, and it makes the audience laugh. This is an improv jam organized by Steve Ling, founder of IMPROV NOW, that usually attracts about 20 people on Friday nights. Ali Dorn, a cyber security consultant working in IT, found out about Improv Now through her coworker. She was in one of the groups onstage for the first time, “I really liked the energy,” she said, “Having to make stuff up in the moment gave me more confidence.”

“Steve gives everyone a shot by mixing newcomers with experienced improvisors,” Dorn added, “making it easy to just get up and try it.”

Like they did this night, improvisors take suggestions from the audience and get to it. This form of comedy relies on wit and creativity. It helps people who participate improve social skills, build confidence and strengthen public speaking. “Steve gives everyone a shot by mixing newcomers with experienced improvisors,” Dorn said, “making it easy to just get up and try it,”

Ling, an insurance actuary by day, got started in improv nine years ago. He saw it as a way to work on his public speaking skills and to get more comfortable in social situations. “I love utilizing my creativity and expressing myself,” he added, “and, the feeling of a natural high after performing.”

On Sundays, Ling holds workshops. “I originally started [Improv Now] to gain teaching experience. If you want to be good at something you have to know how to teach it.” Ling teaches the fundamentals of improv and gives his students constructive feedback. These workshops foster a sense of community and empower individuals to tap into their own comedic potential. “Everyone has fun with it,” said Ling, “If people stick with it, they will see improvement in their ability to be creatively spontaneous.”

Improv can intimidate the beginner and getting on stage in front of a bunch of strangers can make anyone feel overwhelmed. But Ling recommends that people should try improvising anyway.  “When people feel like they’re not good and give up they should keep doing it,” Ling emphasized, “Getting people to realize they will get over that hump is part of the process.”

People who participate regularly agree with Ling. “I was looking for a way to connect with people through comedy,” said Jenny Xu. She found Improv Now on the meetup app. “After 2 classes, I felt confident to jump on stage and perform.” Xu said. She found that Ling’s workshops taught her how to handle herself on stage. “[Improv Now] helped me get more comfortable with the easy small games,” she added jokingly, referring to when a scene goes flat, “It sometimes feels like you hand yourself your own ass.”

Phil Smith, a fellow performer, agreed with Xu. “You never know how it’s going to go, good or bad,” he said, “It’s a humbling experience for an improvisor but it also keeps you on your toes. It’s something you have to go through. But it doesn’t make me want to quit.”

Dennis Lo started attending the jams about ten months ago and he is a regular now. “Steve is so dedicated and passionate about improv,” he said. The energy and spontaneity of the performances and the chance to flex his acting skills keep him coming back. “I feel like it’s a place for me to relax after work,” said Lo, “It adds more seasoning to my life.”

The jams attract audience members who don’t perform. Raine Torae, a lounge singer and restaurant hostess, watched the show for the first time. “I was impressed with the way the performers performed with each other,” she said, “They were spot on amazing!”

Ling hopes Improv Now accomplishes a few things for the performers. “You learn to articulate clearly and overcome nervousness as well as developing a sense of humor,” he said laughing. Or as his student Jenny Xu said, “Improv is a great way to connect with people, not just people you know. You don’t even have to have anything in common … That’s improv.”

To check out Steve Ling’s Improv Now group or learn more about his workshops you can go to https://www.meetup.com/improvnow/ and explore all the possibilities improv has to offer that can improve your life.