The Power of “Yes, And”: Lessons Beyond the Stage

Yes And!

At the heart of every improv scene—no matter how wild or weird—is a tiny phrase with huge impact: “Yes, And.”

In improv, “Yes, And” means two things:

✅ You accept what your scene partner offers (that’s the “Yes”)

✅ And you add something new to build on it (that’s the “And”)

It’s the foundation of great improv. But it’s also one of the most powerful tools you can bring into your everyday life.

💬 “Yes, And” in Real Life

Think about the last time someone shot down your idea with a quick “No” or “Yeah, but…” Now think about how it feels when someone says, “Yes! And here’s how we could take it further…”

It’s not just more fun. It’s more empowering.

🎯 Here’s What “Yes, And” Teaches Us:

• Collaboration Over Competition You’re not the star of the scene—the team is. That mindset shift is huge in workplaces, families, and classrooms.

• Listening First You can’t build on something if you didn’t hear it in the first place. Improv trains you to listen with curiosity.

• Creative Momentum “Yes, And” doesn’t just agree—it expands. It keeps ideas moving forward instead of shutting them down.

• Psychological Safety When you know you won’t be dismissed or mocked, you’re more likely to take creative risks. That’s true on stage and off.

🤝 Why It Matters at CSz Boise

We don’t just teach improv—we teach trust, growth, and connection. Our students (ages 8 to 108) consistently tell us that “Yes, And” helps them:

• Speak up more

• Lead better

• Laugh more freely

• Let go of perfection

And best of all, they take those lessons back into their lives.

Want to learn “Yes, And” in a way that sticks?

👉 Join a Class

👉 Bring It to Your Workplace