What Does This Make Possible?
In Improv Prototyping, participants respond to a challenge by acting out possible solutions. This seriously fun structure engages people in learning and rapid improvement by tapping three levels of knowledge: (1) explicit (shared by participants), (2) tacit (discovered through observing others' performance), and (3) latent (emerges through collaboration). As participants improvise, they create innovative solutions from "chunks" that can be combined. This structure embodies LS Principle #4, Learn by Failing Forward.
Structural Elements — Min Specs
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Structuring Invitation
"Get ready to address a shared challenge by acting out the situation and improvising prototypes of possible solutions. You will be dramatizing the simple elements that work to solve a problem with a playful way to get very serious work done!"
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Space and Materials
An open space or stage at the front of a room [spotlight]. Chairs for participants to sit in clusters of three to four [breakouts]. Props for scenes (optional).
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Participation Distribution
Roles include host [tech host], players, and observers. Minimum group size is nine. Everyone is included as both players and observers.
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Group Configuration
A central group of three to four players and many small groups of three to four observers.
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Steps and Time Allocation
- Intro: Share the structuring invitation and identify a shared problem. Invite a few participants to be players in a short, improvised scene. (1 min.)
- Preparation: Send the players to a separate area [breakout room] to plan their scene while the observers divide into small groups. [Prepare breakout rooms.] (3 min.)
- Acting Out the Scene: The players return and act out their scene while everyone else observes. [Spotlight the players.] (5 min.)
- Whole-Group Debrief: The group debriefs using 1-2-4-All [Chatterfall], identifying successful and unsuccessful "chunks" from the scene. (3 min.)
- Acting Out More Scenes: Everyone returns to plenary. Invite a few groups to share their improved prototypes. Continue with as many rounds as necessary to arrive at one or more prototypes that are good enough to put into practice. Thank everyone who acted! (3–5 min. per scene)
Tips & Pitfalls
- A concrete and sharply defined problem will lead to better results.
- Specify details for the scene such as key roles, location, and props.
- Coach players on the rules of improv: Take and accept all offers ("yes, and . . ."); make action-filled choices, giving and taking; engage in one conversation at a time; listen, watch, concentrate (look, don't think!); and work to the top of your intelligence.
Riffs & Variations
- Invite a "creative director" to help specify scene details and redirect the players if needed.
- Discover better (and worst) actions by inviting the audience to replay the first scene in small groups; inviting face-off competitions judged by an "applause-o-meter."
Practical Applications
- Improv Prototyping can provide an engaging alternative to dry trainings or conventional courses, inspire new ways for sales reps to interact with customers, help teachers discover effective responses to disruptive classroom behaviors, and stop the spread of superbugs by illustrating what not to do when maintaining infection precautions (e.g., wear a tie and examine a wound without gloves).
Online & Hybrid Facilitation
Improv Prototyping works online with no major adjustments. It can be scaled to larger groups more easily online than in person.
Combine with Other Structures
Sources & License
Liberating Structure developed by Henri Lipmanowicz and Keith McCandless. Dig deeper by exploring the creative initiatives of Antonas Mockus (mathematician and former mayor of Bogota): http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antanas_Mockus
Based on the work of Keith McCandless and Nancy White, The Liberating Structures Fieldbook (2026), CC BY-SA 4.0.
