Improvisation – Creative Training for the Brain (and Teamwork)

Improvisation isn’t just for the stage. It’s a powerful method for learning, development, and mental training – and science backs it up.

When we improvise, areas of the brain linked to creative thinking and spontaneity are activated. At the same time, activity in the parts of the brain responsible for self-criticism and control is reduced. This gives us freer access to our ideas, without holding ourselves back with thoughts like “This probably isn’t good enough.” The result is a state of flow – where thoughts and actions merge, and we act without hesitation.

Research also shows that improvisation increases alpha wave activity in the brain – associated with creativity, calmness, and mental breakthroughs. It also activates delta waves, which support intuitive and unconscious problem-solving. In other words: when you improvise, you’re training both your conscious and subconscious thinking.

And it doesn’t stop there. Improvisation also strengthens the connections between neurons, making the brain better at forming new patterns and generating creative solutions. That’s why improv is used in everything from leadership training to innovation and education.

On a more human level, improv exercises create a safe and playful space where people learn to listen, collaborate, and embrace mistakes. It builds confidence, adaptability, and the ability to handle change – valuable skills both at work and in everyday life.

In short: Improvisation isn’t just play – it’s mental fitness for your brain, creativity, and collaboration skills. And the best part? It doesn’t even feel like training.

About Elin Fredrikson Consulting

Elin Fredrikson consulting was funded in May 2016. My clients are organisations willing to innovate and compete on a high level. The reason I started the business was to bring innovation and creativity to the business sector. I help my customers move from the place they are today to the place they must be tomorrow. My products are long or short processes of change focusing on product, process and business development. Among my products are also leaders training, communication and team building. My products are characterized by creativity, professionalism and renewal. My customers buy my products because they want to innovate and learn to be more creative, and because they know that I focus on the participation of each employee and the following implementation. I am different from my competition because I work with an outset in applied improvisation and storytelling, and using an award-winning model of innovation inspired by the artistic process. My customers often experience a whole new reality in the organization – new life.

The brain while improvising

Are you also one of those people who often leave a team meeting feeling frustrated because, despite trying to find new solutions to an old problem, you ended up with the same methods as always?

It's not surprising to have this experience, as the brain is wired to solve problems in the same way every time. But don’t worry – it is possible to train the brain to work differently and more creatively. However, it doesn’t happen on its own.

The prefrontal cortex plays a crucial role in our ability to plan, focus, make decisions, and regulate impulses. It’s the part of the brain we use when we concentrate and solve problems. But isn’t creativity about more than just control? Isn’t it also about letting go?

Improvisation in theatre and music requires a special mental state where the brain balances focus and spontaneity. Research shows that creative brains are capable of activating both the central executive network (governed by the prefrontal cortex) and the default mode network (DMN) at the same time. The DMN is usually active when we daydream, imagine things, or let our thoughts wander – the opposite of focused problem-solving. Studies also show that people who improvise demonstrate this same brain function – focus and spontaneity simultaneously.

The ability to use these networks at the same time can be trained. Exercises from, for example, improvisational theatre specifically promote this dual activation: You must listen, respond, and stay alert (focus) while allowing ideas to emerge instantly and intuitively (spontaneity). Improvisation trains the brain to unite control and freedom.

Through repeated improvisation, the connection between the prefrontal cortex and the more associative, free areas of the brain is strengthened. This means that over time, you become better at being both focused and creative simultaneously – a skill that is not only valuable on stage but also highly useful in creative teams, idea development, and innovation processes.