New York Calendar

Looking for your voice? Start to find it with us. As women, we tend to find ourselves overthinking and trapped in our heads, focusing in on how we ‘should’ sound, what a strong communicator looks like, what answer would be perceived as the best one.

And the best one often is, be you.

In this class, we’ll take improv-based and public speaking activities to the next level and apply them to communication – whether that’s interpersonal impromptu communication, a conference session or meeting, or a networking event. We’ll encourage and help you to find your authentic communication and speaking style, stretching your muscles to increase flexibility, positive risk-taking and self-awareness, heightening our personal confidence. You’ll leave with a greater understanding of your communication style, strengths and areas for growth, as well as a catalyst to begin that development.

This one-off class is open to cis and trans Women.

One of the top reasons our female clients take our improv class is to develop leadership skills. Unfortunately, a lot of them think they have to pretend to be someone they aren’t, and develop qualities that aren’t innately part of who they are. The reality is, most of us have those coveted leadership skills already, it’s simply a matter of honing our style, reading a situation, and knowing when to bring out active listening (always) and when to focus in on things like motivation, responsibility, and delegation.

Great leaders have mastered communication skills, and that’s our first focus in this class designed specifically for women who are in leadership roles or want to be in leadership roles. After connecting with communication, we’ll explore other aspects of leadership like how to give effective feedback, when to be positive (and when to be realistic), and how to develop creativity with your team, all through interactive activities. We’ll have an open discussion of challenges and struggles, as well as celebratory moments for everyone coming out and committing to improvement.

This class is great for current and aspiring leaders – you’ll leave with a greater understanding of your personal style, strengths and areas of growth, as well as activities for you and your team, to continue to grow and develop. Aside from communication skills, one thing is absolute about great leaders – they are always growing, and encouraging growth.

This is a COED class

Essential workplace conversations are uncomfortable. The thought of bringing up anything less than exciting news to a colleague sends our minds racing into a “what-if” of worse case scenarios. We’re anxious simply thinking about it…. “What are they going to think of me? How can I be candid without seeming aggressive? What do I do when its my manager that needs managing? How do I start the conversation? If I don’t bring it up, it won’t happen again…right? “It happened again….what do I need to do differently now?”…. At a time when work is increasingly collaborative and qualitative, difficult conversations cannot be avoided.

In this class, we’ll couple research-backed conversation strategies with improv-based role-play so that you build the confidence and competence to navigate your next “difficult conversation.”

Taught by Lawrese Brown

Thursdays, February 6, 13, 20
7-8:30pm

PLEASE NOTE, this class is COED

Remember how we said our classes are like going to the gym for your brain? In this 3-week class, we’ll practice what we preach, focusing in on flexing the skills that make us a bigger, faster and stronger US.

Improv is all about communication, and we understand the importance of creating a safe space to work listening skills, focus, public speaking, presence, flexibility, and confidence. We’ll zoom in on the idea of building a team, remaining present and getting rid of agenda-orientated thinking.

Since each class is different, we build our base around YOU. From the first class to the last, we’re pivoting for your expectations. Class one will introduce you to improv for professionals, tying what we do into your real world and everyday life. Class two will challenge you – let’s shake things up a bit and focus in on the positive risk-taking in improv! Class three will give you something to think about – we did it, now what? You’ll leave with a greater understanding of yourself, a stronger communication style and possibly a stomachache from laughing so much. This class can be repeated – you’ll meet new friends and have a different focus each time!

Public speaking is feared more than death. We spend so much time preparing WHAT we are going to say that we fail to focus on the HOW. What does it take to make wooing a crowd look easy? And even if you don’t fear public speaking – are you good at it, or have you had an audience look through you?

Public speaking used to be accepted as a difficult skill possessed by and necessary for only a select few professions. All that has quickly changed over the past decade. TED Talks, once an exclusive closed room conference has become mainstream and watched by millions. Today, whatever your profession, the ability to stand in front of an audience and express your ideas and accomplishments, is not just admired but expected.

In this class, you’ll learn basic presentation skills essential to being a more interesting, present and focused speaker. We’ll practice activities and learn warm-ups that will not only build confidence but address that fear of public speaking and begin to teach the skills necessary to become an engaging speaker. Students also have the option (not required!) to bring a 90 second to 2-minute presentation they are working on to workshop in class, and all students receive individualized feedback from our facilitators.

This class is coed

THIS IS A COED CLASS

Time to dig into our professional communication skills – you’ve gone too long thinking “wow, I wish I wouldn’t have said that” or “I could have brought this up in a meeting” or “why did I think of this now and not then?!”

In this class, we’ll take improv-based and public speaking activities to the next level and apply them to communication – whether that’s interpersonal impromptu communication, a conference session or meeting, or a networking event. We’ll encourage and help you to find your authentic communication and speaking style, stretching your muscles to increase flexibility, positive risk-taking and self-awareness, heightening our personal confidence. You’ll leave with a greater understanding of your communication style, strengths and areas for growth, as well as a catalyst to begin that development.

Who are you and what are you here for? Does every networking and small talk situation feel like an awkward test where you ramble along and try to fill the time, only to realize you’re talking too much?

Networking has rapidly become an important part of the job search. With all of the qualified people looking for the next great job, you need to stand out. According to the National Association of College and Employers 2016 Job Outlook report, verbal communication skills are the most important skill sought in new candidates. On a 5-point scale, verbal communication skills were rated 4.63, edging out teamwork (4.62). You can show skills through networking!

Through this interactive class, we’ll work on your personal and professional pitch, practice reading and assessing networking and small talk situations, and zero in on active listening and impromptu speaking skills. You’ll leave with a workshopped pitch, exercises to continue your growth, and strategies for pivoting during networking situations. Prior to class, we’ll ask you to fill out a brief survey so we can tailor the class to your needs.

THIS IS A COED CLASS

Storytelling has been a buzzword in business, sales and marketing for a few years – what makes a story a good story though? Whether you are telling one in the meeting room or the bar with friends, engaging stories are impossible to ignore, and boring, drawn out and highly detailed stories are exhausting.

A good story should come in a package – there needs to be a hook, drawing your audience in, a point – it can’t ramble into the abyss! – and there needs to be a solid ending – it doesn’t have to be a happily ever after, it does need to end. This class will focus in on the basics of good storytelling, with an emphasis on telling stories in a confident and engaging manner. Students will learn tips to craft effective stories for personal and professional environments, workshop potential stories (you’re welcome to bring one in!) and leave with personalized feedback on your own storytelling style.

Have you accomplished something amazing lately and you feel like you can’t share the happiness fully? Or maybe you find yourself playing small, taking risks that aren’t making an impact on your personal and professional life? Are you happy with the level of confidence you feel and exude?

Women today tend to qualify accomplishments and exciting moments with things like #HumbleBrag or don’t even mention it at all for fear of making others jealous. Worse, we’ve been conditioned that everything is a competition and that the pie of success is finite.

It isn’t. And we all should be proud of each other.

If you connect with this and want to stop playing small and bring out your inner badass, join us for this interactive and improv-based workshop that will help you feel more confident, stop feeling bad about talking about your accomplishments and get you ready to jump into your next big risk and adventure. We’ll explore ideas of affirmation and elevation, both for ourselves and those around us, use Yes, And to accelerate ideas, and explore and uplift the idea of Shine Theory. Surround yourself with other amazing women and by shining together, we’ll all be brighter.

Thursdays, March 5, 12 + 19
7-8:30pm

Remember how we said our classes are like going to the gym for your brain? In this 3-week class, we’ll practice what we preach, focusing in on flexing the skills that make us a bigger, faster and stronger US.

Improv is all about communication, and we understand the importance of creating a safe space to work listening skills, focus, public speaking, presence, flexibility, and confidence. We’ll zoom in on the idea of building a team, remaining present and getting rid of agenda-orientated thinking.

Since each class is different, we build our base around YOU. From the first class to the last, we’re pivoting for your expectations. Class one will introduce you to improv for professionals, tying what we do into your real world and everyday life. Class two will challenge you – let’s shake things up a bit and focus in on the positive risk-taking in improv! Class three will give you something to think about – we did it, now what? You’ll leave with a greater understanding of yourself, a stronger communication style and possibly a stomachache from laughing so much. This class can be repeated – you’ll meet new friends and have a different focus each time!

Looking for your voice? Start to find it with us. As women, we tend to find ourselves overthinking and trapped in our heads, focusing in on how we ‘should’ sound, what a strong communicator looks like, what answer would be perceived as the best one.

And the best one often is, be you.

In this class, we’ll take improv-based and public speaking activities to the next level and apply them to communication – whether that’s interpersonal impromptu communication, a conference session or meeting, or a networking event. We’ll encourage and help you to find your authentic communication and speaking style, stretching your muscles to increase flexibility, positive risk-taking and self-awareness, heightening our personal confidence. You’ll leave with a greater understanding of your communication style, strengths and areas for growth, as well as a catalyst to begin that development.

This one-off class is open to cis and trans Women.

THIS IS A COED CLASS

Storytelling has been a buzzword in business, sales and marketing for a few years – what makes a story a good story though? Whether you are telling one in the meeting room or the bar with friends, engaging stories are impossible to ignore, and boring, drawn out and highly detailed stories are exhausting.

A good story should come in a package – there needs to be a hook, drawing your audience in, a point – it can’t ramble into the abyss! – and there needs to be a solid ending – it doesn’t have to be a happily ever after, it does need to end. This class will focus in on the basics of good storytelling, with an emphasis on telling stories in a confident and engaging manner. Students will learn tips to craft effective stories for personal and professional environments, workshop potential stories (you’re welcome to bring one in!) and leave with personalized feedback on your own storytelling style.

Looking for your voice? Start to find it with us. As women, we tend to find ourselves overthinking and trapped in our heads, focusing in on how we ‘should’ sound, what a strong communicator looks like, what answer would be perceived as the best one.

And the best one often is, be you.

In this class, we’ll take improv-based and public speaking activities to the next level and apply them to communication – whether that’s interpersonal impromptu communication, a conference session or meeting, or a networking event. We’ll encourage and help you to find your authentic communication and speaking style, stretching your muscles to increase flexibility, positive risk-taking and self-awareness, heightening our personal confidence. You’ll leave with a greater understanding of your communication style, strengths and areas for growth, as well as a catalyst to begin that development.

This one-off class is open to cis and trans Women.

Public speaking is feared more than death. We spend so much time preparing WHAT we are going to say that we fail to focus on the HOW. What does it take to make wooing a crowd look easy? And even if you don’t fear public speaking – are you good at it, or have you had an audience look through you?

Public speaking used to be accepted as a difficult skill possessed by and necessary for only a select few professions. All that has quickly changed over the past decade. TED Talks, once an exclusive closed room conference has become mainstream and watched by millions. Today, whatever your profession, the ability to stand in front of an audience and express your ideas and accomplishments, is not just admired but expected.

In this class, you’ll learn basic presentation skills essential to being a more interesting, present and focused speaker. We’ll practice activities and learn warm-ups that will not only build confidence but address that fear of public speaking and begin to teach the skills necessary to become an engaging speaker. Students also have the option (not required!) to bring a 90 second to 2-minute presentation they are working on to workshop in class, and all students receive individualized feedback from our facilitators.

This class is coed

One of the top reasons our female clients take our improv class is to develop leadership skills. Unfortunately, a lot of them think they have to pretend to be someone they aren’t, and develop qualities that aren’t innately part of who they are. The reality is, most of us have those coveted leadership skills already, it’s simply a matter of honing our style, reading a situation, and knowing when to bring out active listening (always) and when to focus in on things like motivation, responsibility, and delegation.

Great leaders have mastered communication skills, and that’s our first focus in this class designed specifically for women who are in leadership roles or want to be in leadership roles. After connecting with communication, we’ll explore other aspects of leadership like how to give effective feedback, when to be positive (and when to be realistic), and how to develop creativity with your team, all through interactive activities. We’ll have an open discussion of challenges and struggles, as well as celebratory moments for everyone coming out and committing to improvement.

This class is great for current and aspiring leaders – you’ll leave with a greater understanding of your personal style, strengths and areas of growth, as well as activities for you and your team, to continue to grow and develop. Aside from communication skills, one thing is absolute about great leaders – they are always growing, and encouraging growth.

Have you accomplished something amazing lately and you feel like you can’t share the happiness fully? Or maybe you find yourself playing small, taking risks that aren’t making an impact on your personal and professional life? Are you happy with the level of confidence you feel and exude?

Women today tend to qualify accomplishments and exciting moments with things like #HumbleBrag or don’t even mention it at all for fear of making others jealous. Worse, we’ve been conditioned that everything is a competition and that the pie of success is finite.

It isn’t. And we all should be proud of each other.

If you connect with this and want to stop playing small and bring out your inner badass, join us for this interactive and improv-based workshop that will help you feel more confident, stop feeling bad about talking about your accomplishments and get you ready to jump into your next big risk and adventure. We’ll explore ideas of affirmation and elevation, both for ourselves and those around us, use Yes, And to accelerate ideas, and explore and uplift the idea of Shine Theory. Surround yourself with other amazing women and by shining together, we’ll all be brighter.