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AIN Open Space – Join the Global Improv Conversation!

Written by Jason W Miller – This article is from AIM Issue 3 (released July 2025).

AIN Open Space sessions are community-created, volunteer-run events where members of the Applied Improvisation Network (AIN) come together to experiment, play, share, ask, learn, and support one another.

Whether you're looking to spark ideas, try something new, or connect with fellow improvisers around the world—there's a space for you.

These lightly facilitated gatherings are shaped by you—anyone can propose a topic! Some of the most energizing sessions begin with a question or a desire to explore something new. Using the spirit and principles of improv theater, we co-create, listen deeply, take risks, and lift each other up. Come once, come often — your presence shapes the space!

 

Concept of Open Space

The approach known as Open Space Technology was developed by Harrison Owen (as described in Open Space Technology: A User’s Guide). It is closely related to the concept of unconference—a participant-driven meeting format to minimize hierarchical structures.

The structure of an Open Space event is simple:

  • Collecting topics: Participants are invited to suggest session topics they are passionate about. Anyone is encouraged to propose a topic—it’s not necessary to be an expert or a skilled facilitator. The goal is simply to hold the space for discussion.
  • Creating rooms: Organizing rooms in person can be more complex than online, where it's easy to create as many breakout rooms as needed. In both formats, it’s helpful to have a central overview showing all available sessions and their locations.
  • The Law of Two (Virtual) Feet: This is the most important principle of Open Space. It encourages participants to move freely between sessions:“. Go and attend whichever session you want, but if you find yourself in a session where you’re neither learning nor contributing, use your two feet!”. No explanation or apology is needed—just leave and join another session. This is even easier to do in an online setting. The law ensures that every room is filled with committed participants contributing positive energy.

Participants are free to behave like bumblebees, cross-pollinating ideas across different sessions.

 

History

The concept of Open Space was already familiar to attendees of the annual AIN (Applied Improvisation Network) conference. However, in March 2020, it took on a whole new significance when the COVID-19 pandemic struck. With in-person meetings canceled, many practitioners of applied improvisation felt lost, as face-to-face interaction had been central to their practice. In response, Erica Marx and Raymond van Driel began hosting Online Open Spaces. The experience was transformative: not only did we discover the vast potential of online applied improvisation, but we also formed a supportive, ongoing community.

Now, five years later, we continue to meet regularly:

  • Weekly sessions on Fridays at 3 PM EST
  • Biweekly sessions on Tuesdays at 9 AM EST
  • Monthly sessions on Wednesday/Thursday at 9 PM EST

Whether you're a seasoned applied improviser or just beginning your journey, each session offers fresh inspiration and valuable new ideas. Visit our AIN Open Space webpage here: www.appliedimprovisationnetwork.org/ain-os 

 

About the Author: Jason W Miller

Jason is a facilitator, trainer, and executive coach striving to bring applied improv into the corporate vernacular in any way he can. Jason loves to collect games and frequently tests them out on his children before he takes them to work. Jason discovered improv while living in The Hague, the Netherlands in 2013 when he stumbled upon some Improv classes. He is now back in the USA and strives to infect corporate culture with the magic of applied improv.

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(Last Updated: Monday, January 12th, 2026)