Dr. Daniel Wiener is a pioneer in the work of integrating improvisational theatre games with psychotherapy. His groundbreaking book, “Rehearsals for Growth”, published in 1994 inspired many therapists around the world to explore this valuable and effective intervention. Dan shares how he discovered improv and how he continues to live a playful life today.
Assael Romanelli, MSW is an improviser/therapist who recently published his PhD research study on training therapists in improvisation skills.
Listen to how Assael’s path in improvisation theatre, psychotherapy and education led him to this groundbreaking research. Hear about the ways in which these disciplines come together to create a new, synergistic training which can help generate healing and growth processes for the individual and relationship.
Continue reading “Assael Romanelli MSW-Improv for Therapists”
Part 2 of Improv Interviews with Bernie De Koven – the master of play! Visit his website http://www.deepfun.com where you’ll find wonderful articles and videos about his career in play. While you’re at it, go to http://www.aplayfulpath.com and get the copy of his newest book, A Playful Path. https://soundcloud.com/margote18/bernie-dekoven-part-2
Over 40 years ago I attended New Games Foundation training and became a Certified New Games Referee. Imagine my delight and honor to meet Bernie De Koven, the man who was pivotal in the New Games movement. Bernie is an amazing person whose energy and love of play have helped thousands of folks realize that play is as important for adults as it is for kids! Bernie De Koven is a “founding father of play studies,” creating the Games Preserve, the first centre for the exploration of games and play for adults, Bernie continues to this day to explore the theory of fun and playfulness and how it can affect every aspect of personal and interpersonal, community and institutional health.
Last summer I met Amy in a workshop and fell in love with her immediately! . Her enthusiasm and love of improv is contagious. Amy Burge is an improviser, public school teacher and a mother of two very active teenage boys. Currently, she is a very involved in the Minneapolis improv community as a performer, a committee member (Tiny Funny Women Fest and FairPlay) and teacher. She is most excited about being able to teach improv at an adolescent chemical treatment center and would like to further he work in the area of mental health. Continue reading “Amy Burge”
Meet Eric Fisher, a mindful improviser! Though Eric’s younger years were heavily involved improv and the arts, his career has been in design and technology. After studying computer graphics and psychology at UPenn, he spent over a decade designing apps and online communities in addition to working at Facebook, Apple and Google in Silicon Valley. Continue reading “Eric Fisher”
Enjoy Rick Thomas’s unique point of view on his experiences and the history of improvisational comedy. He’s an Alumnus Chicago Main stage Second City Resident Company; studied Improv with Second City Founders including the great Paul Sills and David Shepherd; acted with Meryl Streep, Kevin Spacey and other luminaries, and for Woody Allen and Mike Nichols. Continue reading “Rick Thomas”
Gary Schwartz is an award-winning TV and film actor, director, comedian and a master improvisational acting coach whose 30 years as a performer and improv teacher has helped transform the lives of thousands of people, both on- and off-screen. He studied and worked with Viola Spolin,the mother of modern improv, and is the only master teacher to have ever earned an endorsement from both Viola Spolin and her son, Paul Sills, the co-founder and director of The Second City.
George Carlin, when asked, “How old are you?” “I’m four and a half! You’re never thirty-six and a half. You’re four and a half, going on five! That’s the key.”
I love Improvisational Comedy because it connects me to the playful, spontaneous child that’s still a part of me, and all of us! Find a friend and create a story together today. Or have a deep conversation with your dog. Better yet, call someone and tell them, “I love you.”
Meet Improv Professional Stacey Smith, a loud Long Islander who can be seen performing regularly in the ensemble at CSz or with The Deltones and The Musical Armando at iO. A CD of Broadway songs helped inspire Stacey to bring singing into her improv comedy. Continue reading “Stacey Smith – Musical Improv”