Play is the best way to learn
About Us
JBEL Training was created in 2023 with the goal of using improv exercises and skills to help people, teams, and companies to develop and grow their human/soft skills.
Jessica Belbin, the creator of JBEL Training, brings 10 years of Improv Facilitation to this work. She brings a deep understanding of people as well as a passion for helping people grow and evolve with compassion by embracing failure while having fun.
Why Improv?
Applied Improv for corporations, companies and teams is a specialized approach that uses improvisational theatre techniques and principles to address various organizational challenges and promote skill development among employees. This approach has gained worldwide popularity as a creative and engaging way to enhance communication, collaboration, innovation, and overall team effectiveness within corporate settings. Applied Improv has also shown to be highly effective in creating better mental well-being. Applied Improv is ALWAYS non-performative and done in a safe and fun environment.
What is the History of Applied Improv?
Neva Boyd was an educator and social reformer known for her significant contributions to the field of experiential education, particularly through her work with group games and activities that laid the foundation for modern applied improvisation. Her insights and methods have had a profound influence on the development of improvisational techniques and their application in various educational and therapeutic settings.
In the early 20th century, Neva Boyd recognized the power of play and group activities as tools for learning and social development. She believed that interactive and cooperative games could foster essential skills such as communication, teamwork, problem-solving, and empathy. Boyd's approach focused on creating a supportive environment where participants could engage in activities that required collaboration and creative thinking.
Boyd's work was especially notable for her establishment of the Group Work School in Chicago in the 1920s. At the school, she developed a variety of games and activities that encouraged active participation, cooperation, and the development of social skills. These games often involved role-playing, storytelling, and creative expression, elements that are central to both improv and applied improvisation.
Boyd's teachings emphasized the importance of "cooperative play" rather than competitive games, as she believed that such activities could build stronger connections between individuals and promote positive social interactions. Her approach laid the groundwork for the concept of applied improvisation, where improvisational theater techniques are used to enhance communication, teamwork, and personal growth.
While Neva Boyd's work focused more broadly on experiential education and group dynamics, her ideas and methodologies have significantly influenced the development of applied improv practices. Facilitators of Applied Improv often draw inspiration from Boyd's philosophy of learning through play, creativity, and collaborative engagement. Her legacy lives on in the field of education, therapy, team building, and beyond, where her insights continue to shape the ways in which people interact, learn, and grow together.