Participants in a free improv class at Guernsey Library. The classes are geared toward non-actors, and aim to teach them communication skills, quick thinking, spontaneity, and help to overcome social anxiety. (Submitted photo)

NORWICH — Since May of this year, community member, professional songwriter, and actor Gil Polk has been hosting weekly improv classes at the Guernsey Memorial Library in Norwich.

Polk has been acting since high school, where he performed in plays. From there, he attended an acting conservatory called Freehold for four years, and over the years has acted in television shows, commercials, and theatre productions. His music has also been used on television shows and commercials on the US, Canada, and Europe.

While many may think improv is just for actors, Polk's classes are specifically geared toward non-actors, and aim to teach them communication skills, how to think quickly, help them overcome social anxiety, and learn not to take themselves too seriously.

"This is perfect for non-actors because I don’t want people to think they have to have any acting training whatsoever," Polk explained. "A lot of us worry in life about being a perfectionist, or I’m not good enough, or what I’m going to say is not good enough. And in improv, everything is good enough. There’s no mistakes."

"It’s impossible to make a mistake in improv, because everything that is said is right," he added. "I’d say the number one rule in improv is listening, and then next is to agree, to just say yes to whatever’s said, and then add to that."

During the classes, participants engage in a series of improv games that teach them how to think on their feet and listen to others.

One of the games is a simple, three-line scene in which one actor starts with a short phrase, such as "sign here." A second actor then has to improvise a response that let's the audience know what they're signing. The last step is for the first person to then respond to the scenario, before ending the scene.

"For example, this was with a girl named Abby, and I said ‘sign here,’" Polk said. "She said, ‘I’m not signing the divorce papers.’ And it was like, oh okay, we’re married, we’re getting divorced, oh my goodness. And that’s a gift and now the person has all this stuff to say the next thing with, without thinking too much about it. So it can just be anything, go anywhere."

The group also plays freeze tag, where two actors will begin a scene based on suggestions from the audience. While they improvise the scene, audience members will shout "freeze," and the actors must stop acting and go still. Whoever said freeze will then jump into the scene and switch places from one of the actors, and must then create a new scenario on the spot.

"These are games that are geared to get you to just stay stuff off the top of your head, but it's all based on partnership. So it’s all based on listening to each other and so it becomes easy that way because improv asks you not to think ahead, to just sort of work in the moment," said Polk. "All the games are based on that, to free up our minds from thinking we have to get it right."

Polk's improv classes are free to attend, and no registration is necessary. Individuals aged 15 years and older are welcome to attend.

Classes are held every Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. at the Guernsey Memorial Library, located at 3 Court Street in Norwich. The last class will be held on Tuesday, September 13, before a brief four-week hiatus. Classes will resume on Tuesday, October 18 and continue on the same schedule.

"It’s been surprising how excited people have been about it, and he’s got this loyal core of people that are coming and yet new people pop in all the time," said Guernsey Memorial Library Executive Director Connie Dalrymple. "I think he’s really hit on something that people need an outlet for. It’s an amazing thing to be able to be a part of that."

Those who would like to learn more can also check out Polk's performance at the 2022 Colorscape Chenango Arts Festival at 4 p.m. on September 10. He'll be set up on the Art Zone stage giving improv performances and inviting brave spectators to join them on stage.

"I will have audience participation games where they can do the fun stuff standing there, whoever’s there, and I’ll call some spontaneous people maybe out of the crowd to come up on stage, and then I already have people in my class who are interested in being on the stage. So it’ll be sort of a mix of a demonstration, a presentation, audience participation," said Polk.

"I just want to make that time, whatever time we have up there, the fullest possible for the people that might want to come and be onstage and also the audience, and just make it fun."

Guernsey Memorial Library has several other exciting activities planned for the month of September. During Colorscape weekend, on September 9, 10, and 11, the library will be holding a book sale, including a free day on Sunday.

They will also be hosting the Literary Arts Tent at Colorscape, which will feature visits by local authors, and an activity related to cartooning.

Local crafter Pat Horton will return to Guernsey to teach another crochet workshop beginning at 6 p.m. on September 7 and 21. The workshops are free to attend, and no registration is necessary.

The next installment of the Visions Federal Credit Union Financial Wellness Workshops will be held at 6 p.m. on September 29. This month's workshop will focus on identity theft.

Those looking to give back to the community can also opt to donate blood at Guernsey Memorial Library on September 14. Donors have the option to register beforehand, or go to Guernsey with their ID and get registered the day of.

Keep an eye on the Guernsey Memorial Library Facebook page for more information on upcoming activities, classes, and workshops.

More information on Gil Polk's improv classes can be found at NorwichImprov.com.

"It’s a lot of laughter," said Polk. "Because it’s so spontaneous, we don’t know what we’re going to say or create, and it’s just laughter all night long. I think that’s the best part of improv, it’s just so fun."

"I wasn't inspired to teach people how to act, I was inspired to teach people how to find a little more lightness in their lives."