We believe in the power of collaborative arts practice to build stronger communities.

Mission

Improv for Real Life is a theatre education organization dedicated to fighting social isolation across Seattle. Through workshops, weekly classes, and specialized programs for seniors, educators, and populations where social isolation is most acute, we use improv and collaborative storytelling to help people of all ages and abilities build community, discover their creativity, and develop friendships that last.

Vision

We envision a Seattle in which everyone has the tools they need to build lasting friendships full of creativity. We want everyone to have opportunities to laugh regularly, to express their inherent creativity, and to feel connected to a community.

How we’re trying to achieve that vision

(i.e. what we’re doing about social isolation)

We offer accessible, research-informed programs that combine improv, storytelling, and facilitated connection to equip participants with the skills they need to cultivate joyful communities. Our programs allow people to tap into their silly side and innate creativity in order to make friends.

Centering Community

At the community and systemic levels, our workshops address the widespread and growing epidemic of social isolation, especially among those facing systemic barriers to connection. We tailor our workshops to meet the unique needs of historically marginalized communities and provide an environment where they can experience joy and unconditional acceptance. We work alongside community organizations to deliver free or low-cost programming to:

  • K-12 teachers, offering professional development that equips them to apply improv tools to reduce classroom anxiety (an issue that has become increasingly acute since the pandemic and with the rise of social media) and foster creativity and collaboration.  

  • Survivors of domestic abuse, offering joyful, non-judgmental environments that promote trust and self-confidence.

  • LGBTQ+ youth, many of whom have faced bullying or rejection, helping them experience authentic belonging through shared creativity and mutual affirmation.

  • Anyone experiencing financial hardship (we always offer tiered pricing to our programs, no questions asked, to increase financial accessibility).

  • Asian American and Asian immigrant/refugee communities, where cultural stigma around failure often contributes to social withdrawal and mental health struggles.

  • Elderly memory care patients and their caregivers, using the evidence-based Timeslips Collective Storytelling method to spark imagination, communication, and joy for those living with dementia.

In an increasingly disconnected world, Improv for Real Life offers a simple, joyful intervention: connection through play. Our workshops model a way of relating to others that is rooted in curiosity, collaboration, and compassion.