Meet Shannon Stott: Improvisor, Instructor, Business Owner

We had the good fortune of connecting with Shannon Stott and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Shannon, what’s your definition for success?
I have found that I have had to stop looking at success as a destination. It seems that when people ask you to define the word, their expectation is that you will be able to point at a physical object, internal feeling or something tangible that can be seen or experienced by other people. I have found that success is an ongoing journey, an ever-changing flexible state and shouldn’t be defined. Defining it solidifies it, and attaining that ‘thing’ begs the question ‘now what?’ So, if you are continuing to strive, to imagine and to work towards a better future for yourself, your business and others then you can consider yourself as being in a state of success and that makes you successful in every moment.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I am an Improviser. Many think about Chicago, La, New York, The Groundlings, Second City, Whose Line Is It Anyway, and of course Saturday Night Live when they hear the word Improv. Becoming a more compassionate human being, practicing vulnerability and inclusivity towards others, speaking up for yourself and standing up for your rights, and the rights of others, embracing your full self, body, culture and all, are not things that people think of when they hear Improv. These skills, ideas and philosophies are the things I teach through utilizing Improv. Improv isn’t only about creating comedy, it truly is about learning how to work together to create unity between people from different backgrounds. We can do that by learning how to listen and how to be fully present in any given moment. Improv teaches us how to do these things and I am proud to be teaching it for that reason. I grew up around so many different types of people, languages, cultures, and perspectives and had to learn that other people’s points of view and experiences are just as valid as my own. Sharing the art of Improv has only been difficult because people immediately associate it with performing comedy. I started Improv On and Off the Stage specifically to invite non-performers to experience the benefits of Improv without the pressures of performance and to invite performers to utilize their improv skills beyond the stage. Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Maybe it seems obvious but I’d love to shout out my sister Zaria Elaine Stott. As the older sister, I’m supposed to pave a way, try new things and experience failure so that I can help to guide my younger sister through treacherous waters so she can come out on the other side triumphant. I have to say that she is the one who has Trail blazed for me. From quitting her 9-5 to follow her passion in the culinary arts to starting her own business to getting a mohawk my sister has dared enough and believed in herself enough to inspire me to start on the trail that I am on now. I truly am encouraged by her bravery. Thank goodness she came along, who knows where I would be today!

Website: shannonstott.com

Instagram: @Improvonandoff

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shannonstott/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ShannonStottImprov

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/ShannonStottImprov