PlayMD.ph

03/06/2026

“[By meeting with Schirokauer], I learned that improv is not about the comedy, but rather all about thinking on your feet—just going with it and facing uncertainty—and that it was very relevant to medicine and the way we practice it,” Nagpal said.

“The miniseries serves as an introduction to the core concepts of improv, providing medical students with the opportunity to practice these skills alongside their peers in a fun, low-stakes environment. Students gather for two hours each week for five weeks to play improv games, with guidance and medical context provided throughout.”

“I hope the program will help broaden the way we think about and approach our relationships with patients and fellow providers in the healthcare space,” said Nagpal. “This miniseries, through improv games, fun sketch exercises and in-session reflections, aims to promote [hands-on] learning. It's also just a fun space to unwind, be authentic and try new things.”

https://case.edu/news/medical-students-blend-comedy-and-clinical-skills-improv-miniseries

31/05/2026

“Have you ever thought of walking away from improv?” was a question that Susanne (Germany), Maarten (Netherlands), and I had a chance to reflect on at the Tuesday Open Space.

Susanne smiled, her eyes twinkling. “How can you walk away from something that has become part of you?” she asked. “Improv becomes part of your nature. It makes us better humans. Improv,” and this is the part that really resonated with me, “allows you to see choices.”

I never really thought about it that way before. Susanne said it with such calm conviction. With… with such joy.

Maarten agreed. “Improv allows you to appreciate life even if things don’t go your way,” he added. Maarten has always been a soothing steady presence at the Europe Open Space. He starts gently, gathers his thoughts, and then drops truth bombs that hit you long after the session is over.

They both smiled at me and simultaneously paused. Their silence echoed their loud answer: “No.”

29/05/2026

“So the first thing about Viola's work is that it is a non-intellectual, non-authoritarian way of learning. It's a learning through experience. The experience of playing the game releases everything you need, all of the tools at your command to solve the problem of the game.”

“Fun is the catalyst for all of this work. Because when you're having fun, you're not in a state of judging yourself. You're not in a critical state. You're not in a self-conscious state. You're too busy having fun.”

“Unfortunately, the way we're raised in our culture is approval. We work to get the approval of the teacher, we work to get the approval of our parents, we work to not avoid the disapproval of people. And that becomes paramount in our behavior. And it just takes the fun out of everything.”

“Find that state of play.”

“The ultimate goal is the fact that we are all held in the present moment in the excitement of not knowing.”

“Because that’s where the magic happens.”

Just some of what Gary Schwartz said about the things he remembered and learned from Viola Spolin. Viola Spolin, although frequently cited in improvisation, remains a distant figure for me. So thank you Gary for bringing her and her lessons closer to us. I look forward to knowing more about the mother of improvisation and her work.

And thank you AINx Watch Party! Loved it! That was a DELIGHTFULLY wonderful session! Thank you Ellen, Hikaru, and Staci!

28/05/2026

Her name is Rocyie Wong from Malaysia. I first saw her post about having days that are kind. She frequently shares her journey with psoriasis – her struggle, her moments of sadness, of joy and of little triumphs.

Never did I expect that I would get to meet her in person.

I asked her where she gets the courage to be so vulnerable online, where she bears more than her skin. She frequently talks about her thoughts, emotions and experiences.

Roycie said that it’s easier to remember not to think about what or how others think about you when you have that one person who thinks the world of you.

And having that one person who will always be in your corner loving you and rooting for you makes a world of a difference when you go out there.

I also had a chance to meet Filipinos who are equally as amazing, courageous, and inspiring as Rocyie. Hearing their stories, learning about the similar threads we share, and being vulnerable with them were definite highlights of the night.

One of them said something that really really surprised me. It stayed with me long after the night was over. She said, “my skin is my best friend.” She then explained how her skin tells her if something is wrong internally and signals her to affect changes.

That blew my mind. “My skin is my best friend.” Her energy, cheerfulness, and positive demeanor felt contagious. Intoxicating even. I wanted to know more.

Grateful for the opportunity to meet these kindred souls. Looking forward to the time our paths will cross again. Sometimes it feels good to know that you are not alone in this often sad journey.

Actually, we need to know. Lest we forget.

(Photos posted with permission.)

27/05/2026

Join applied improvisers from all over the world at the next AIN Watch Party happening on May 29 Friday morning at 8AM Manila time. We will play, listen and learn from Gary Schwartz about Viola Spolin - the mother of improvisation. Garry is Viola’s direct mentee and the foremost practitioner of her techniques. Let’s go!

26/05/2026

A family of vampires spending a day at the beach. To celebrate World Dracula Day, at today’s Tuesday (Europe) Open Space, we took a group photo as Dracula’s family at a seaside getaway. Haha!

It’s been a while since I last had fun playing zoom games. And I must admit na-excite ako running around panicking, and scrambling to use the given few seconds to whip up a beach-look for the undead.

And trivia lang. For those who don’t know – PlayMD started out as zoom improv game sessions for doctors during the pandemic. Wonderful memories.

Imagine if all of our online meetings incorporated play and playfulness. Imagine if, even for a few minutes, we could be vampires or cats or even aliens? Imagine how that would shape our real world.

It’s 2AM and I’m still awake running on endorphins, serotonin, probably oxytocin, and a wonderful dose of silliness.

26/05/2026

Play fully present. Play fully committed.
Play fully vulnerable. Play fully unscripted.

23/05/2026

“… the belief of play and learning are at odds with each other is a relatively new idea.” “Many communities and educators still believe play is one of the best teachers we have…” “… it’s not only children who learn through play.”

Explore the benefits and challenges of using self-directed play-based learning models in schools. --Before the last few centuries, children around the world ...