I have been performing and teaching improv comedy for 20+ years. I never took classes at the big schools. I learned through acting classes, a few workshops with The Living Stage (former outreach program with Arena Stage DC) and watching early episodes of BBCs WHOSE LINE IS IT ANYWAY.

My techniques are a collection of ideas and games working with so many great artists over the years, including alumni from Second City, Grou dlings, UCB, The Pit and more recently The Magnet Theater.

But over time, I crafted my own technique, superimposed over what everyone else does. I play games I’ve picked up over time, but over the years I realized improv is just the tool. The real mission is spread wisdom to make better choices, to spread joy and laughter. Parents and teachers will sneak up after a session and I say, “You’re not teaching comedy. You’re inspiring the future!”

A big part of my message is LEAD BY EXAMPLE. I gove homework. START EVERY DAY WITH A SMILE. We reverse engineer happiness by stretching out the face. THEN, when we enter a room, lead with a smile. Most will smile back. Ignore the ones that don’t. They will judge you no matter how happy or miserable you are. If that’s you, STOP JUDGING & JOIN THE PARTY.

I start EVERY educational session with my three #1s.

• My #1 Rule: HAVE FUN but never at another’s expense!
• IMPROV #1 Rule: YES AND… Always say YES (unless someone is causing you emotional/physical pain NEVER accept that from anyone). But otherwise accept AND follow up with words and actions that support.
• #1 SKILL IN COMEDY? LISTENING! Listening with your eyes. Listening with the willingness to change!

EVERYTHING ELSE is ego and insecurity, two sides of the same coin, which destroys community and leadership. Great leaders and team mates do all of the above. We bring our best work to the table, and set our friends, family and colleagues up for success.

THIS VIDEO

Evry few years I hear a scientific report that justifies everything we artists, or any great leaders, know intuitively. I never loved the term COOL KIDS. Any time someone tries to be COOL, it’s usually a function of ego and insecurity. But when you truly LEAD BY EXAMPLE, lead with a smile, lead a life of service (never servitude), most of the world delivers in kind. The ones that don’t, over time, receive less of my attention. And now that I am of a certain age, starting to mentor others, I’m OK when they don’t appreciate or realize the benefits. It’s enough for me to see them when suddenly a seemingly impossible class starts to gel as a team in game play. Sometimes it takes minutes, for others, weeks, months or even years.