A retreat in Chicago, February 20-22nd.
To learn more, go to fullyaliveretreat.tumblr.com
In his book, Improvisation: The Drama of Christian Ethics, Samuel Wells defines improvisation in the theater as “a practice through which actors seek to develop trust in themselves and one another in order that they may conduct unscripted dramas without fear.” Sounds a lot like life, doesn’t it? Building trust, overcoming fear, conducting relationships, and making choices—all without a script.
Wells establishes theatrical improvisation as a model for Christian ethics, a matter of “faithfully improvising on the Christian tradition.” He views the Bible not as a “script” but as a “training school” that shapes the habits and practices of the Christian community. Drawing on scriptural narratives and church history, Wells explains tenets that characterize both improvisation and Christian ethics. His model of improvisation reinforces the goal of Christian ethics—to teach Christians to “embody their faith in the practices of discipleship all the time.”
Not everyone wants to do improv, not if it means being on a stage in front of other people. But some of the basic ideas that improv teaches are tremendously helpful to the spiritual life, and we think that everyone can benefit from them. Take a look at the materials below, use it to prepare, play, and experiment with improv tenets in your community, and join us for the Fully Alive retreat!
The Fully Alive retreat is a creation of Episcopal Campus Ministries in Prov V, which includes the University of Wisconsin, The University of Chicago, Northwestern University, the University of Illinois, Butler University, Purdue University, the University of Indiana, the University of Michigan, Kenyon College, The Ohio State University, the University of Cincinnati, Ohio University, Miami University, and many other luminous academic institutions. The retreat is open to young adults (up to age 30) whether or not they’re enrolled in school.