Heard a thing or two about the Chicago improv scene, but you’re an HR or L&D pro who works in corporate so you’re not sure how improv fits in?

Rated as one of the best improv classes in Chicago, improve it! combines the core tenets of improv with talent development initiatives to bring you and your team sustainable takeaways that don’t change your work,
but how you work. 

With improv workshop topics ranging from Effective Communication to Taking Initiative and Creative Risks, we have something for every team in Chicago–no matter what you’re focusing on the most right now. Learn more about how to work with us by clicking the link below. We can’t wait to meet your team in Chicago!

 
 
 

We’re not a regular partner, we’re a cool partner, Chicago…

A curriculum with us…

  • Does the work for you. Your Learning and Development calendar basically books itself and it’s easier to pitch since you’ll have a time commitment in mind with events already mapped out.

  • Offers steady outside perspective, which can get through to teams often times more than if it came internally.

  • Is not a one-size-fits-all (or even one-size-fits-most) program. We use a customized approach to address specific issues or patterns within your team. You’ll have a 1:1 sales call and consult call to discuss exactly what’s going on and what we can do to help.

  • Is informed by years of experience working with small businesses to Fortune 500 companies. This really isn’t our first rodeo.

  • Is typically a 1-2 year time commitment, but we’re flexible and can determine what fits your team’s needs the best.

 

3 Ways We Can Work Together

Best Business Improv Classes and Improv Workshops in Chicago

CULTURE
JUMPSTART

1-time event Think of this as a conversation starter. It will not change the trajectory of culture, but it will kick-start that change. The Culture Jumpstart gives the team a new dynamic and infuses positive energy into the environment.

    • Short-term one-off events (workshops or keynotes) at team offsites or virtually for a very specific group objective.

    • Our workshops are about as hands-on as it gets. Your team will be up and moving, throwing themselves right into the learning, and pausing to digest the activities in conversational debriefs.

    • Our keynotes, on the flip side, are more of a motivational experience to give you food for thought–but it’s up to you to put it on the plate and eat. Lol, we had to.

    • New teams

    • Teams that feel stuck and need somewhere to start

    • Kickoff events

    • Celebratory team offsites

    • Conferences

 
business improv classes chicago

CULTURE SHIFT

3 events recommended over the course of a year
Think of this as a move from one place to another, especially over a small distance. This isn’t a total 180, it simply offers new ways for your team to approach work and relationships. The shift often causes a ripple effect in your team’s ability to reach its goals.

    • 1-year ish commitment (it’s your timeline!) to a customized curriculum that shifts culture through a series of 3 learning events.

    • The 3 learning events can be any combination of workshops and keynotes that work best for your team.

    • Think of the 1-year ish commitment as having a beginning, middle, and end: an event to get your team started, another event midway through to push your team further, and a final event to master learning targets and feel confident using them on a daily basis.

    • More established teams

    • Teams welcoming new hires

    • Teams experiencing internal change

 
business improv workshops chicago

CULTURE CHANGE

6 events recommended over the course of
two years Think of this as a more robust culture development. It’s not uprooting your existing culture, it’s offering new ways of thinking that you can implement immediately–and combine with what’s already working.

    • 2-year ish commitment to a customized curriculum that shifts culture through a series of 6 learning events.

    • The 6 learning events can be any combination of workshops and keynotes that work best for your team.

    • Think of the 2-year ish commitment as a long-term commitment with the end results of new team dynamics, more supportive relationships, and bigger behavior change. Since we’re on this journey together, we’ll make sure to help you build something really special that sticks.

    • Teams with new leadership

    • Teams who have been together for a long time

    • Merging teams

    • Teams who need support and haven’t found their solution yet

What our Chicago clients have to say:

A high quality experience you can feel good about

We offer interactive workshops and series that dive deeper into essential power skills, using live improv activities, tools, and techniques. By getting to know you and your team, we align your objectives with one (or multiple) of our programs and customize it to fit your needs.

 
 

  • In this highly interactive and high energy in-person or virtual workshop, our seasoned improv facilitators will lead participants through improvisational activities and customized debriefs that center around the thesis statement, “What you Say, and What You Don’t Say, Affects How Others Listen and Respond.”

    Participants will learn how to:

    • Use verbal and nonverbal techniques to enhance their communication with peers, clients, and leadership

    • Use positive tone and other key interpersonal communication skills to create inclusive and supportive environments

    • Build rapport through listening to understand vs. listening to respond

    • Foster trust through the improv tenet of ‘yes, and’

  • In this highly interactive and high energy in-person or virtual workshop, our seasoned improv facilitators will lead participants through improvisational activities and customized debriefs that center around the thesis statement, “Being Present + Offering Support = Engaging Conversations.”

    Participants will learn how to:

    • Be fully present in conversations so there is no room for self-consciousness or shaky nerves

    • Offer support and engage in finding common ground with peers and external clients

    • Refine their personal brand and create a fun elevator pitch to make introductions with new connections

    • Connect and engage in new relationships, ie, to listen deeply and build on the other person’s ideas

  • In this highly interactive and high energy in-person or virtual workshop, our seasoned improv facilitators will lead participants through improvisational activities and customized debriefs that center around the thesis statement, “Communication + Inspiration = Motivation.”

    Participants will learn how to:

    • Communicate effectively with their team

    • Inspire and empower their peers through their words and actions

    • Motivate the team around them to set higher goals and achieve more

  • In this highly interactive and high energy in-person or virtual workshop, our seasoned improv facilitators will lead participants through improvisational activities and customized debriefs that center around the thesis statement, “Showing Up + Support = Collaboration.”

    Participants will learn how to:

    • Use communication as a tool to move forward in a positive way

    • Create supportive relationships that work in partnership with cross-functional teams

  • In this highly interactive and high energy in-person or virtual workshop, our seasoned improv facilitators will lead participants through improvisational activities and customized debriefs that center around the thesis statement, “A Safe Space + Taking Creative Risks = Change.”

    Participants will learn how to:

    • Create a safe environment in which people are willing to take risks and communicate in different ways

    • See creative inspiration differently by taking a step back and looking from a different POV

    • Be a leader that embraces taking initiative and understands that change is a constant

  • In this highly interactive and high energy in-person or virtual workshop, our seasoned improv facilitators will lead participants through improvisational activities and customized debriefs that center around the thesis statement, “Partnership + Planning = Proper Prioritization.”

    Participants will learn how to:

    • Improve their creative brainstorming and collaborative “group mind”

    • Set priorities for the year ahead

  • In this highly interactive and high energy in-person or virtual workshop, our seasoned improv facilitators will lead participants through improvisational activities and customized debriefs that center around the thesis statement, “Positivity + Preparation = A Productive Presentation.”

    Participants will learn how to:

    • Exude positivity before a presentation

    • Understand how their emotional state affects performance

    • Utilize their natural presentation style and creativity to prepare

    • Concisely communicate and connect with an audience

  • In this highly interactive and high energy in-person or virtual workshop, our seasoned improv facilitators will lead participants through improvisational activities and customized debriefs that center around the thesis statement, “Focus + Trust = Your Targeted Message.”

    Participants will learn how to:

    • Focus on the present moment

    • Communicate their thoughts clearly and concisely

    • Deliver their targeted message

  • In this highly interactive and high energy in-person or virtual workshop, our seasoned improv facilitators will lead participants through improvisational activities and customized debriefs that center around the thesis statement, “Positivity + Perseverance = Possibilities.”

    Participants will learn how to:

    • Use positivity as a way to go about day-to-day tasks

    • Do a good job when no one is looking

    • Get the most out of their internship by utilizing connections, experience, and industry knowledge to move forward in their career

  • In this highly interactive and high energy in-person or virtual workshop, our seasoned improv facilitators will lead participants through improvisational activities and customized debriefs that center around the thesis statement, “No + Maybe = Yes.”

    Participants will learn how to:

    • Hear a “no” and create an opportunity

    • Build client relationships in the face of adversity

    • Practice appropriate tone and language to encourage future sales

 
 
 

Frequently Asked Questions

  • An improv workshop in Chicago with improve it! typically includes a 2-hour event with a lead facilitator and co-facilitator(s)--depending on the size of your team. During the 2-hour workshop, your team will do a warmup exercise, 6-8 improv activities that target the learning objective of the workshop, partner and full-group debriefs, and a wrap-up activity.

  • No! We have lots of virtual offerings including virtual improv workshops, virtual keynotes, virtual book clubs, and virtual laugh breaks.

  • Workshops vary in cost based on the group size and we can share exact pricing in a call with you once you get in touch with us!