AIN Open Space Sessions

AIN Online Open Space sessions are community-created, volunteer-run events where you can experiment with new ideas, play games, initiate discussions, ask questions, and share things that are working well (or not so well!). They are times to collaborate with others and both receive and give support with others in the AIN community.

If you are new to applied improvisation or AIN, these sessions are a great time to learn about applied improvisation and experience the AIN community in action.

During these online sessions, anyone can propose a discussion topic or activity. You do not need to know anything about a topic to propose it for the agenda! Some of the best sessions are initiated by people who want to learn more about a subject. 

 

We use the principles and skills of improv theater to listen and support each other, co-create, take risks, and most importantly, make our partners look brilliant.

 

Who can participate

Open Space sessions are open to anyone interested in applied improvisation in their personal or professional life. You do not need to be a member of AIN to join a session. 

 

When Open Space happens

There are Open Space sessions every Friday, every other Tuesday, and every 3rd Thursday.

  • The Friday Open Space are weekly from 3:00 - 5:00 PM Eastern Time
  • The Tuesday Open Space are bi-weekly at 15:00 - 17:00 PM Central European Time.
  • The Asia Pacific Open Space is held on every 3rd Thursday from 9:00 - 10:00 AM Japan Time

(The Friday and Tuesday sessions are 2-hours + an afterparty and the Thursday sessions are 1 hour + an afterparty. Every first Friday there is a theme session.)

 

How to join

All upcoming sessions are listed on the AIN calendar. From the calendar you can click on the Zoom link to register for the session. 

 

What to expect

The agenda for each session is co-created by the participants in the session. At the start people volunteer to host rooms on topics (“offers”). The facilitation team then creates breakout rooms based on the offers made. Then participants move to rooms of their choice and can change rooms at any time.

 

Typical 2-hour Agenda*

00:00 - 00:05 - Welcome!
00:05 - 00:10 - Friendship Lottery and Newcomer Orientation
00:10 - 00:20 - Sharing of offers for Session 1
00:20 - 00:55 - Session 1 runs
00:55 - 1:00 - Plenary shares from Session 1
1:00 - 1:05 - Break
1:05 - 1:15 - Big Group Game
1:15 - 1:25 - Sharing of offers for Session 2
1:25 - 1:55 - Session 2 runs
1:55 - 2:00 - Plenary shares from Session 2
02:00 - ? - Afterparty

*(APOS is typically 1 hour, plus afterglow)

 

Technology Recommendations

These sessions are run on Zoom. Joining with a laptop or desktop computer will give you the best experience. Open space sessions are generally cameras-on experiences where everyone is an active participant or listener. 

 

How It Works

AIN Online Open Space is an adaptation of Open Space Technology, a participant-led method of meeting that was developed in the early ‘80s by Harrison Owen. 


Principles of Open Space Technology

1. Whoever comes are the right people 

2. Whatever happens is the only thing that could have happened 

3. Whenever it starts is the right time 

4. When it’s over, it’s over


Law of 2 Feet (Law of 2 Clicks)

“If at any time during the time together you find yourself in a situation where you are neither learning nor contributing, use your two feet and go someplace else.” Participants are encouraged to be where they want to be! In practice, this means people may join or leave breakout rooms at any time during the program. 

Applied Improvisation Principles

How we interact in AIN Open Space is based on the principles and skills of improv theater. We listen and support each other, co-create, take risks, and most importantly, make our partners look brilliant! Want to learn more about applied improvisation? Check out our “What is Applied Improvisation” page.


Join us!

Check out our AIN Calendar for every Open Space session. Join an upcoming session by clicking on the day you’d like to attend and clicking the link to the Zoom meeting to register. 


See you in Open Space! 

Questions? Email us at [email protected]


(Last Updated: Wednesday, December 13th, 2023 at 1pm EST)