Improv in the NHS w/ Megan Blair
“This confidence has made me go for more opportunities at work, opportunities to present, to teach and even to hold learning-at-lunch sessions.”
As part of our new blog series, Improv In Real Life, we chatted to Megan Blair, an improviser in the FA community and hospital pharmacist, about how taking an improv class has impacted on her life inside and outside the NHS.
We are offering a 20% discount to all NHS workers for classes in our January terms.
Hey Megan, do you want to tell us a bit about yourself?
Hi, my name is Megan Blair, I’m a hospital pharmacist working in North London and an improviser/musical comedian, although not together (I’ve tried). Sadly, I haven’t done any online gigs since the pandemic as WIFI doesn’t work for streaming where I live in the countryside. So, for now, my job is top priority, especially with the current situation at hand, though I spend my free time now learning French terribly and looking at chihuahua puppies on Gumtree.
How did you get into improv?
Basically, I got really into the show Silicon Valley one summer and after going on the Wikipedia page of almost everyone in the cast I decided improv was obviously the trendy thing to do. Fresh out of university, I missed making new friends at the clubs and societies that used to be on offer. I was looking for a similar group in London, one where I didn’t have to be particularly athletic. A few threads on Reddit later, The Free Association popped up and as I went to look for upcoming classes, the millennial pink on the website tempted me to buy a ticket for a taster class immediately.
How did taking improv classes impact on your work in the NHS?
Improv’s definitely impacted my day-to-day interactions on the ward so much. As a Hospital Pharmacist, we also provide an On-Call service where you answer any medicine-related queries throughout the night. This is where my improv skills have noticeably come in to play; often you have to “yes and” an enquiry to get all the required information to provide the most detailed advice. “Yes and... is the patient pregnant? Yes and… do they have any allergies?” That kind of thing. Throughout pharmacy school you’re often presented with an ideal patient with no POV; let me tell you, every consultation can turn into an improv scene and often you need to get back to the “beat”. A lot of improv involves listening to the tone and acknowledging the body language of your scene partner; this directly impacts patient consultations too. If you’re “straight- manning” you’re looking for reasoning and sympathy, which all in all directly relates to an effective patient consultation with a shared care agenda. In an effective improv scene, you’re treating your partner as a best friend, someone you care about and know, and this is often also said for patients in the NHS. Treating everyone with the care you’d expect for your relative... or your best friend.
Has improv impacted on your life outside of work too?
Yes. When I first started working for the NHS, I found the transition very difficult. I’d often look forward to the weekend, where I knew I could be silly for the sake of it. The post-work worries would be lifted instantly, switching your clinical mind off in the process.
What skills - either professional or in life - has improv given you?
I feel like first and foremost, confidence. Even after, especially after terrible shows! This confidence has made me go for more opportunities at work, opportunities to present, to teach and even to hold learning-at-lunch sessions. Improv has made me see the other person’s point of view more too. Also, side note, improv is great for dates, as now I feel like I can talk forever. Awkward meet up for brunch? No worries! Let me reflect on how I’d move this scene forward based on what I learnt in Level 2!
What would you say to someone who might be tempted to try improv for the first time?
Everyone has to try improv at least once. If any of the above hasn’t tempted you into booking a class, let me also say, it’s a great talking point on your “Hobbies & Interests” section on your CV. I’ve had a few interviews where we’ve been side-tracked talking about improv and they went successfully.
What are some of your favourite improv memories and what are you missing most about improv right now?
I miss the community so much; I haven’t found a friendlier welcoming community in Central London than The Free Association. I could happily play “This is a pen” for hours, or pull imaginary, sorry real, items out of a box. I miss my team Field Trip, three-time Cage Match champions may I add, I had to drop it in! I miss doing intensive classes in Camden, piling into an uber, giddy on improv, hauling it to Hackney and begging to be let into the early show even though it’s always already sold out. I’ve met the best people who I’ve karaoked to dawn with, done podcasts together and generally just been massive goofs. I love seeing how talented everyone is and watching what people share; everyone is everyone’s hype-man in the improv world.
Thanks so much, Megan, for sharing your experiences with us! If you want to hear more about our improv classes you can click here for online, and here for in person! Alongside the NHS discount we also offer diversity scholarships for every level, so money is no object.
If you have an interesting story on how improv has helped or is helping you in the real world, please complete the form at www.thefreeassociation.co.uk/improv-in-real-life
