  This article explores the parallels between improvisational theater (Improv)
and teaching in an Active Learning environment. It presents the notions of
Active Teaching as a natural complement to Active Learning, and discusses how
unexpected situations give rise to valuable Teaching Moments. These Teaching
Moments can be strategically utilized following the rules of Improv. This
article presents some examples of this in the Mathematics classroom, as well as
the implementation of an Improv Seminar in the Mathematics Department at the
University of California, Santa Cruz.
