Playful Being grew out of a desire to bring more play into daily life - to follow the fun and let off steam, experiment and take risks with ideas, be more present and engaged. We began offering workshops in 2013 and found many like-minded adults who wanted to spend more time with their playful selves, but didn't know where to start.
Over the past 7 years, a diverse community of playful beings has formed - both in person, here in West Yorkshire, and online - and it's still growing and flourishing. And that is the joy and life-affirming gift of improv.
Over the past 7 years, a diverse community of playful beings has formed - both in person, here in West Yorkshire, and online - and it's still growing and flourishing. And that is the joy and life-affirming gift of improv.
Mel Taylor, Facilitator
I was fortunate enough to grow up in a playful family. The thing I remember giving me the greatest pleasure was the truly playful play – the made-up games, the leaps of imagination, the expansiveness it allowed me.
As an adult, it has been through comedy improvisation and clowning that I’ve experienced the transformative power of play again. I hadn’t felt that special kind of energy and mental freedom for decades. Improv and clowning gave me permission to play. Now I’m more able to give myself that permission, so play pops up in unexpected places: long car journeys or a walk down the street can be opportunities for a game, a creative release.
What sustains and nourishes all my creative practices are the connections I can facilitate for others through improvised, playful approaches to creativity. I have taught for over twenty years in a host of different settings and, for the most part, I’ve loved it. But nothing compares with the experience of being in a room where everyone is lit up by play. That is a total joy.
Nowadays, I try to ensure that everything I do creatively has play at its centre: improvising, singing, practising the piano (as a complete beginner), and writing. Playfulness has been the key to a whole process of change and development. It has allowed me to be adventurous - more willing to go out of my ‘comfort’ zone – and it has brought me to where I want to be.
Mandy Long, Playful Being Associate
Mandy is an artist and performer. Her experience as as a performer has taken her to community events, re-enactments and a spell at the Rainbow Factory in Leeds.
She has been honing her skills as a comedy improviser over the past five years and performs with Mel Taylor in the improv duo Long Story Short.
Mandy is an artist and performer. Her experience as as a performer has taken her to community events, re-enactments and a spell at the Rainbow Factory in Leeds.
She has been honing her skills as a comedy improviser over the past five years and performs with Mel Taylor in the improv duo Long Story Short.
Here are just some of the partners we've worked with, and places we've created opportunities to play:
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