Yes, and… Kristy! An Introduction

Learning to laugh, fail, and grow in real time.

There’s something magical about standing on stage with no script, no plan, and no safety net… just a willingness to say “yes, and…” and see where the moment takes you. That’s improv. And after dipping my toes in last summer, I’ve decided it’s time to dive back in.

This fall, I’m starting Level 2 at Hashtag Comedy in Columbus. I’m more excited than nervous. Of course, my nerves will come as we get closer to the first class. It’ll REALLY hit me on that first day, I know it will, but I’ve been obsessed with the song “Turn the Page” by Bob Seger recently, and there is a lyric I can’t stop thinking about:

“When you’re on the stage, you’re a million miles away. Every ounce of energy, you try to give away, and the sweat pours out your body, like the music that you play.” Chills… CHILLS. That’s EXACTLY how it feels for me when I’m even practicing improv. To make it work, you literally have to clear your brain of EVERYTHING so it has room to explore and find words, phrases, and lyrics to grab onto when it’s your turn to go.

So, why call this blog 'Yes, and Kristy'?
Even if you’ve never stepped on stage, you’ve probably had a ‘Yes, and…’ moment. A friend suggests something ridiculous, and instead of shutting it down, you play along. That little spark of agreement and addition, that’s improv in daily life. You say yes (accept their idea), and (add something new to build the scene together). It’s about listening, collaborating, and creating without fear.

In my first class, I learned the most important lesson of improv - MAKE THE OTHER PERSON LOOK GREAT. It’s not about “you,” it’s about the show and experience. That lesson hit me hard, not just for improv, but for life. Imagine if every meeting, project, or even argument started with, ‘How can I make the other person look great?’ The world would feel very different. It gave me a new perspective on life.

That lesson has carried over for me: improv isn’t about being the funniest person on stage. It’s about practicing listening, resilience, and courage. It’s about laughing at the mistakes and realizing they’re not failures… they’re sparks for something unexpected.

This blog will be my space to share the ups, downs, and sideways turns of this journey. Some weeks I’ll probably write about breakthroughs; other weeks, about complete flops. But that’s improv, and more importantly, that’s growth. And ultimately, that’s life.

So here we go: Level 2 starts September 11. I’ll be reporting back with what I learn, what I laugh at, and maybe even what I sing

So if you’ve ever wanted to try improv, or just wanted permission to fail a little louder, you’re in the right place. Buckle up, because I have no idea what’s coming next, and maybe you don’t either. Let’s figure it out together.