Corporate Events

Why Improv?

The basis of Improvisation or Improv (acting without a script) is our Golden Rule- “Yes, AND!” We work with our partners, always say “Yes” to the reality they are building, and try to add something to it. Imagine working with a team who is always ready to get onboard with the vision and ask, “How can I help make this even better?” That’s the culture that improv will help teams build! 

Sure, sometimes being a helpful teammate means looking for the holes in an idea or the weaknesses of a plan. However, you have options! You can scrap the whole idea, or you can find ways to build-in support and make ideas work. This can require more vulnerability, which can be scary, but often leads to more growth.

When you incorporate the “Yes, AND!” mentality at work it begins to look like meetings that aren’t just complaint sessions. It becomes all about creating shared solutions together! You begin to really trust your teammates to build-up your ideas, even if you don’t have everything figured-out.

Of course, even when you’ve planned for every outcome, we know the only thing we can be sure of is that SOMETHING will go sideways. Improvisation allows for safe, low-stakes opportunities to experiment with vulnerability, joy, and flexibility. It teaches you to step-out of your comfort zone. But, improv also assures you that your team has your back and is there to help when things go awry.  

Your employees are already the experts in your field, let us help refine the soft skills that will take them from good to great!

Great improvisers share some common traits: they are great listeners, they communicate clearly and succinctly, they are able to adapt in the moment, they always support their teammates, and they are always looking for ways to make the world they build a little MORE FUN! The Harvard Business review has even reported on how improvisation skills help teams: https://hbr.org/2019/05/using-improv-to-unite-your-team

Our workshops use fun improv games to bring people out of their shells. We can create the session that works best for your team. Most of our workshops are 1-2 hours long, but we’d love to work with you to create a half-day or full-day session that meets your needs. 

Session Types

**Team Building workshops offer opportunities to work on General Team Culture.
  *Building memories
  *Play/Fun/Laughs
  *Trust Building
  *Strengthening Relationships

**Skill Building Workshops can be designed to work on specific needs.
  *Leadership/Management Sessions
  *Peer-to-Peer Relationships Sessions
  *Listening
  *Clear Communication
  *Powerful Presentations / Clear Storytelling
  *Confidence in public speaking
  *Going with the flow/flexibility

As a general overview, we’ve established a series of games that structure-in early successes to build trust and confidence. Then, we move into more complex activities that develop more nuanced team skills. Our games aren’t like generic meeting ice-breakers. Our games are built for FUN.

Don’t worry if you are new to all this! Our workshops are led by an improv professional with years of experience. We are here to offer personalized feedback to increase your confidence- whether you are brand new or already familiar with the form. 

We start with games to build a clear, shared communication. This is a great way to ensure that your team is really able to listen and stay in the moment- even as things change.

After that, we move on to games that help the team find a unified vision. Are we all working on our own ideas without making sure they enhance the bigger picture? Or are we really working TOGETHER?

Once we’ve fully established our trust in the team, and we’ve practiced really listening, then we continue the workshop with games that enhance “give and take” and work on amplifying your partner’s ideas and strengths, while still getting to shine yourself! 

Whether it’s an established team or a group just starting out- when you take The Backline’s Teamwork Trainings you are creating fun group memories which can become a touchstone for common language, laughs, and group rapport. You’ll be talking about it long after the session ends!

Special Events