FUN is FUN and Let’s Leave it at That

As an expert in the field of Improvisational training, I want to express to all teachers, counselors and therapists how necessary FUN is in the process and how not to kill its value with “Lessons”.

Children of the Night Workshop

In 1989, I ran a workshop at Children of the Night Shelter, a most remarkable program in Los Angeles, dedicated to taking in child prostitutes, ages 11-17, and helping them remain off the streets and aiding in finding a better situation. Most of the children victimized by prostitution were first victimized by a parent or early caregiver. Most have been tortured by treacherous pimps, and many testify in lengthy court proceedings against the pimps who have forced them to work as prostitutes. In most cases these children do not have appropriate homes to return to, and the only relative who is a suitable guardian may live far away from their hometown.

The structure of the program was strict; necessary for kids with no boundaries; and when I entered the workshop space, there was a feeling of tension in the room similar to prisons and rehab centers where boundary issues are often violated. I could see all the kids were wary of me being brought in ‘for their own good” and they were guarded to say the least.

We began by playing a game called When I Go to California. It is a game of memory where each person in the circle says “When I go to California, I’m going to take a trunk (or any other needed object)”. The second says “When I go to California I’m going to take a trunk and a hat. The third takes the trunk, the hat and something new.  Each player takes, in exact order, all that has been mentioned and adds another. The game continues until it becomes difficult to keep track. Each player assigned a letter to spell GHOST for each memory lapse until there are only a few players left.
It was essential that I, as the coach / teacher, also played.

When the game began, some of the children were suspicious of me and my motives and tested me to see my reaction by selecting shocking things to “take to California”. For example, “When I go to California, I’m going to take my smelly hoochie, my set of works, a pack of condoms, my dildo etc.” With each mention of sex and drugs the group tittered and watched me like a hawk.

When my turn came, I repeated the litany of their ‘tools of the trade’ very matter-of-factly, and then added a pair of sunglasses. I made no distinction or value on the objects as long as I was playing. The smirks and snickering vanished after one round.

The next round became objects of real need, money, a car, my teddy bear, favorite pajamas, little brothers, etc. I became a fellow player without judgment and the playing became spirited and fun. I made no comment after the game, but went on to another one.

Everyone had a great time. I did not comment on the success because that would’ve turned it into a “lesson” which would have kept the children on their guard. The rest of the workshop progressed like any other with laughter and great fun and the children had a chance to play and enjoy themselves without the burden of scolding or even solicitous, well-meaning adults (hidden condescension). The games were played over and over during the rest of the month, providing both kids and supervisors with a break from the “rehabilitation’ model that colored many of the other activities. Judgment turns fun into a “lesson”. Good fun is its own best reward and its value is intrinsic. Fun is fun for its own sake and can release great energy and peerage.