By Jessica Skelton – Parksville Qualicum Beach News
Posted Nov 13, 2014 at 8:00 AM — updated Nov 13, 2014 at 9:00 AM
Link to article: http://www.pqbnews.com/community/282578401.html
Grey skies are on their way, so it’s time to start thinking about how to beat the winter blues. Parksville’s Joyce A. Tinnion believes her Theatre Games and Improvisational Theatre Sports next Wednesday will be just the ticket.
“It really is fun. I’ve had good reactions from people,” said the former high school drama teacher. “They leave looking brighter, sharper and happier.”
Theatre games and sports are the sort of thing that you see on Who’s Line is it Anyway? Currently Tinnion, who also worked in radio and television production at the CBC for 10 years, brings these improv activities to local companies as team-building exercises. However, she’s excited to work with the general public for the first time next week. She has hundreds of games in the hopper for people of all acting levels. This includes people who have no experience and who might be a little shy about trying improv for the first time.
Tinnion also said she will try to keep the mood light and fresh by focusing on those games that the participants react positively too. After all, the point of the evening isn’t to improve acting skills, but to simply get people talking, laughing and playing — and there’s a reason for that.
There’s a lot of research that shows laughing and smiling is good for us, Tinnion explained.
One such study was done at the University of Maryland’s School of Medicine, where it was found laughter is linked to healthy function of blood vessels. While mental stress is known to cause inflammation of blood vessels, which can lead to fat and cholesterol build-up, laughter appears to do the opposite and causes these vessels to dilate.
Alongside physical health, playing and having a good laugh also gives mental health a boost. People get more creative, build self-confidence, relax and de-stress, said Tinnion.
Her statement holds up to the findings of neuroscientist Robert Provine who observed in his book Laughter: A Scientific Investigation that laughter restores a positive emotional climate and a sense of connection between people. In fact, he claims the majority laughter’s health benefits are simply the result of these stimulated social supports.
Tinnion summed it up nicely, saying, “Sometimes the simplest things are the most powerful.”
If you would like to join in on the good times, Tinnion’s workshop will be held at the MacMillan Arts Centre on Nov. 19 from 7-9 p.m. Everyone is invited and entrance at the door is $20. You can also spread the joy by bringing a group of friends; each person you bring will only have to pay $15. For more information, e-mail Tinnion at jtproductions@shaw.ca.
Community Events, November 2014
