I’ve had the incredible privilege of teaching improv for years, both in schools and at corporate events. And while we certainly play games and hone comedic timing, I always tell my team that we’re not just teaching improvisation. We’re using improv as a powerful vehicle to teach something far more fundamental: leadership, community, and personal enrichment. My mission is to spread joy and laughter, a much-needed therapy for a world that often seems to embrace cynicism. There’s nothing quite like it when a business leader, parent, or teacher approaches me after a class or workshop and quietly confides, “I see what you’re doing, and I love it!”
Then, I went to see the new Superman movie. There’s a line where Clark Kent says, “Kindness is the new punk rock.” It was incredibly refreshing. First, I absolutely loved it. Second, it felt like the first time since 1978 that a new generation could experience the feeling I had at almost five years old, watching Star Wars for the first time, or at six, seeing Christopher Reeve as Superman. I felt like I could fly. I felt like I could call upon the Force and literally move objects.
While I’m certainly grounded in reality, momentarily imagining myself as Superman or Luke Skywalker gives me joy, focus, and an inner fire that allows me to be at my best. When I struggle, I put on some John Williams to get me right back there.
The Transformative Power of Improv
When I teach improv comedy to youth, and I see a shy kid have five minutes of true agency playing improv games, I know their life just changed. It’s a profound shift. I’ve witnessed 30 to 40 adults, initially terrified of public speaking or simply being themselves, realize there’s a better way to live—without fear of judgment or the unknown.
The secret? As I teach improv and spread joy and laughter, I honestly want the world to feel the way I do when I channel my five-year-old self. When I’m exhausted at the end of a day of teaching and performing improv comedy, I feel like that five-year-old on Christmas morning—half asleep, but full of joy and wonder.
Changing the World, One Laugh at a Time
After a decade of stress about politics and the like, I’ve realized that lashing out on social media or in person has changed exactly zero minds. But every time I lead an improv show or workshop, I’m genuinely changing minds and lives. So, I’m done wasting negative space on politics and other things I can’t control. As a community of improv performers, let’s change the world one show, one class at a time. Through our work, we’re not only entertaining but also offering profound benefits:
- Enhances Focus and Presence: Improv demands being in the moment, sharpening attention and responsiveness.
- Boosts Communication and Connection: It’s all about listening, collaborating, and building rapport with others.
- Fosters a Lighthearted Atmosphere: We create a space where laughter and play thrive, easing tension and promoting genuine interaction.
Join us for weekly shows, classes and jams. We daily host corporate teams and student groups at our Times Square NYC theater as well as tour schools, community centers, and private events DC to Boston to Pittsburg and beyond! CLICK HERE for upcoming public shows. CLICK HERE for upcoming classes & jams. EMAIL for information regarding private shows & group sales.
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