How to Learn, Teach, and Create Your Own Improv Sessions
Bring the Power of Improv into Your Life Personally and Professionally
You want to learn it, share it with others, apply it to your life. But you are thinking…
I’m not outgoing or funny.
I don’t know how to teach.
I’m uncomfortable leading groups.
I’m too busy to learn something new.
I love it, but it just won’t work for those around me.
I don’t know how to teach.
I’m uncomfortable leading groups.
I’m too busy to learn something new.
I love it, but it just won’t work for those around me.
Improv is a shared joyful experience.
Where smiles and laughter comes not at the expense of another but at the supportive experience of all.
With the One Rule Improv approach, improv is accessible to people whether they are introverts or extraverts, eager or skeptical.
It is not complicated, difficult or time consuming to learn.
With the One Rule Improv approach, improv is accessible to people whether they are introverts or extraverts, eager or skeptical.
It is not complicated, difficult or time consuming to learn.
What if there was a fast and simple way to help those who suffer the effects of trauma get their brain online so they can better engage with others, learning, treatment, life...
There is!
Once you experience the transformative power of improv and how completely accessible, easy and enjoyable it is to learn, you will want to keep practicing and also sharing it with those around you.
As a BONUS you'll also receive:
BONUS TOOL: The Solution Generator
This downloadable tool helps to pinpoint strategies from the course that may help to solve issues of engagement and participation. Released after Module 5 for maximum benefit.
BONUS MODULE : Create Your Own Games and Variations
Ever feel unsure about changing something for fear it might break. It is wise to feel that way, but having completed this course you are now ready to make changes that will not destroy the integrity and benefits of improv. This module will help you to intentionally create game variations and even new game structures to best meet the unique and spontaneous needs of your group. Released after Module 6 for maximum benefit.
BONUS RESOURCE:
7 Day Complimentary Access to the Improv Game Library
This invaluable resource, that will have materials added on an ongoing basis, makes finding the right games for you fast and easy. Games are organized by families for fast selection and include the following:
Video demonstrations , so you can understand and learn new games quickly and easily
Game Plans which include directions, as well as notes, variations and side- coaching tips
Game Facilitation Scripts with effective facilitation strategies, so you can confidently know exactly what to say when introducing a new game.
Ideas for increasing engagement
Ideas for sustaining results and impact
Cheat Sheets & Playlists
Make Improv Your Own, was created out of necessity.
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After years of working with a great many people over the years, I’ve learned that after only a single experience they go home or to work and try to teach and share improv with others.
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While it is wonderful that they had fun and recognized the transformative power and potential of improv, they soon realize that replicating their experience with improv for others is not as obvious or as easy as they thought.
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What if there was a way you could not only gain the benefits of improv, but you could facilitate a similar experience for others, especially for those most in need of connection?
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Make Improv Your Own will help you in just seven weeks learn to play, teach, and create your own improv sessions to meet the needs of your people (family, students, clients, coworkers, strangers) and in your space (classroom, family therapy session, on a van, at a coffee shop, virtually, in person, wherever).
Make Improv Your Own is offered in 7 easy to use On-Line Learning Modules released weekly.
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Module 1: How Improv Will Change Your Life
If you feel a little uncertain about why this process works while nothing else ever seems to, in this first module, I will walk through what improv is, why people in all different industries and disciplines world-wide are practicing it, and how improv delivers life changing benefits. -
Module 2: One Rule Improv-Achieve the Benefits of Improv Every time
Although improv may still seem complicated or intimidating, Module 2 starts you one your way to understanding and implementing the One Rule Improv approach. This strategic approach, focusing on just one rule and one structure, opens up the power of improv to you and those with whom you want to share it in a way that is accessible, easy, and enjoyable. -
Module 3: Teaching, Playing and Participating with Confidence
If you are excited about improv, but still a bit uncertain about how it all works, this module breaks down exactly what the players, audience, teacher, and facilitator/director of improv needs to do to have the experience and get the results you want. Here you will dive into learning and experiencing the very specific roles and responsibilities everyone needs to follow to make sure the joyful, supportive, and sometimes hilarious experiences and many benefits are achieved. -
Module 4: The Not So Obvious Skills You Need for Effective Facilitation
So that you have no guesswork when you decide to share improv, in this Module I will demonstrate essential strategies for facilitating any size group whether in physical and virtual environments. If you have never taught or led a group before or perhaps would like to feel more confident doing so, this module reveals highly effective facilitation skills to help you create a successful experience for yourself and everyone involved. -
Module 5: Two Key Steps to Transform Lives, Performance and Culture
No matter what, there will be people in our lives who are hesitant or resistant to trying improv. This Module gives you two additional steps to help you create engagement and sustain the results you desire. -
Module 6: How to Choose Games to Ensure Success
If you have ever done improv you may have noticed that there are a great many games called “improv” games. While they may be fun for some people, they may not be accessible to all or create the transformative benefits and outcomes you want. This Module helps you determine if the game you are considering is the type of improv game that will work for your people and deliver the benefits and results you want. You will be able to adapt and meet the needs of your group as you strategically choose games from moment to moment. -
Module 7: Get Started, Achieve the Benefits and Sustain the Results
For those of you who have been through training that never got put to use, it is often because you never felt like it was really yours to apply the way you needed. In this Module you will take everything you have learned, practiced, and already started applying to your life personally and professionally, and now with intention and purpose turn it into your own Improv Program that you can use at home, work, with friends, anywhere. Your plan can be for sessions held virtually, live or both. This is your improv! Make it your own!
Meet your Instructor, Mary DeMichele
After 25 years of witnessing what improv could do for people including those who suffer from the effects of trauma, I posed a greater question, “Could this be empirically proven neurobiologically?”
To answer that question I set out to conduct a study that was peer reviewed, published and clearly demonstrated changes in the brain.
I found that engaging for as few as 15 minutes in this very basic non intimidating activity, the most hyper aroused or hypo aroused teens could indeed engage the part of their brain that makes them open to social interaction, learning, and therapy.
For over two decades I have helped thousands of people in education, clinical professional and social settings take those first critical steps in the world of improv.
I am so excited to continue to share this incredibly simple, accessible process that anyone can engage in and teach, and in doing so help others and the people around them to engage and connect, leading to a far richer life as a whole.
To answer that question I set out to conduct a study that was peer reviewed, published and clearly demonstrated changes in the brain.
I found that engaging for as few as 15 minutes in this very basic non intimidating activity, the most hyper aroused or hypo aroused teens could indeed engage the part of their brain that makes them open to social interaction, learning, and therapy.
For over two decades I have helped thousands of people in education, clinical professional and social settings take those first critical steps in the world of improv.
I am so excited to continue to share this incredibly simple, accessible process that anyone can engage in and teach, and in doing so help others and the people around them to engage and connect, leading to a far richer life as a whole.
Make Improv Your Own is the course for you if...
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If you are interested in learning improv for yourself or to share at home, school, work, or socially.
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Business owners who want to instill a work culture with better communication, collaboration, problem solving, and innovation.
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Families who would like to find a way to share joyful, supportive laughter with each other.
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Parents who would like to find a playful and fun way to connect with their children, teens and even adult children of any age.
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Teens and kids who would like a really fun activity to do with friends, which will also help you develop skills that will help you at school and in life.
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If you are an improviser who is interested in teaching workshops.
This Course is not for you if...
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You are an experienced improviser looking to develop more refined performance or acting skills.
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You are only interested in being a performer/player of improv.
Frequently Asked Questions:
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I have no experience in improv. Will I really be able to complete this course?
Absolutely. The One Rule Improv approach, as it simplifies the process of learning and teaching improv, makes improv accessible to the beginner, whether they may be outgoing or introverted. It is carefully designed, so that each module is built off the one before, allowing you time to experience and apply what you learn before moving on to the next.
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I am an experienced improvisor. Is this course for me?
If you are looking to better your understanding of how improv works and would like to feel confident teaching it to others, then, Yes!
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I am interested in becoming a better improv performer, especially with creating characters.
If you feel that a better understanding, awareness, and respect for “Yes, and…” may help you in collaborative performance, then “Yes,” this course will be helpful. This course will NOT help you with the furthering of your acting or dramatic skills, including character development.
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I am worried that when doing improv, a person might be emotionally triggered/upset.
There are many improvisational games and activities that utilize situational role-playing activities, are not framed by the rule of “Yes, and…” or don’t feature collaboration as a central theme. These are the types of activities that may trigger someone emotionally.
In contrast, this program uses collaborative short-form improv games framed by “Yes, and…” which are inherently collaborative and thus helps individuals achieve a more neurologically balanced state. Players move into a better mental state, are focused on the present and are highly unlikely to be emotionally triggered. -
How long is the course? Is it manageable?
This course was designed with working professionals in mind. Each module is designed so you have the time to learn, practice and begin to apply how to learn, teach and apply improv each week before moving on to the next module. Each module presents new information in a single, focused, and concise video about the length of a Ted Talk (15-20 min). Exercises and Activities that will help you practice and apply that Module’s focus can be done in just a couple of minutes at a time, when your schedule allows throughout that week.
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How does enrollment work?
When you enroll in Make Improv Your Own you will receive immediate access to the course. An email providing you direction on how to set up your password and account.
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What else will I need to purchase after I sign up?
Absolutely nothing. Everything you need will be provided.
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I have other questions. How do I ask them?
You can send us an email at [email protected] and someone from our team will be in contact within 24 hours.
What Others Are Saying...
" A must for integrating effective experiential therapies."
One Rule Improv is simply the best way to understand how to transform lives using the process and power of improv. As a psychotherapist, I consider this a must for integrating effective experiential therapies.
Great for culturally responsive teaching"
I think One Rule Improv is great for culturally responsive teaching. It is a great way to allow everyone to contribute where they are and everyone has an equal role. I tied it to intrinsic motivation to engage and work cooperatively, collaboratively, while developing listening skills and opening up imagination.
"Bridge those relationships"
One Rule Improv has been an amazing intervention for our preteen students! Kids with developmental trauma have significant struggles with relationships and communication. Improv is a way students can bridge those relationship and healing can occur.
"a safe and supportive environment to explore and learn."
Although I love to perform and am used to learning a script, I'm an introvert and thought improv would be terrifying![ One Rule Improv] not only makes the process tremendous fun, but also provides a safe and supportive environment to explore and learn.