Using improv
to help people
it’s play. without a paywall.
we’re the nonprofit that brings no-cost classes for self-development through play to socially and economically disadvantaged individuals and their supporting organizations.
Mission
it’s improv brings applied improvisational training to socially and economically disadvantaged individuals and their supporting organizations. Working together with community centers, volunteers and support from the generosity of donors, we bring culturally informed classes to the people who need it most.
What is Applied Improvisation?
Applied Improv the practice of using the tools, principles, and mindsets of improvisational theater in non-theatrical settings to improve communication, teamwork, and problem-solving
What is it like in an Applied Improv class?
Each class is it’s own unique series of experiential learning activities that allow participants to experiment, reflect, adapt, and apply new skills in real time. Every workshop is informed by established learning frameworks, including experiential learning theory. Every activity has a clear purpose and a direct connection to functional life skills.
Participants leave with practical tools, shared language, and actionable insights they can immediately bring into their everyday lives.
Community Partnership Model
Partner with established San Diego Nonprofits that are serving underrepresented communities
Establish recurring class schedules and programming that meet the needs of the population being served.
Provide sustainable and consistent no-cost classes, track effectiveness and growth, reflect, improve and repeat.
Why nonprofits partner with us
1. We amplify your impact. We bring free, accessible applied improv programming directly your existing communities, without adding to your team's workload. Volunteers and employees often join in and deepen bonds fellow community members.
2. Improv builds essential life skills. Our classes strengthen confidence, communication, adaptability, self-advocacy and social connection with everyone involved - through engaging, experiential learning.
3. We build programs around your community. We collaborate with your team to create inclusive, trauma-informed workshops that reflect your participants' unique needs, experiences, and goals.
Community Partners
Our community partners connect us directly with the people they serve, helping us bring free, accessible applied-improv programs into trusted community spaces.
Arts Partners
Our arts partners help make creativity accessible by sharing space, providing tickets, and contributing resources that connect more people to the transformative power of improv and the arts.
How we support joy
Fund free workshops for unhoused, immigrant, refugee, LGBTQ+ Bipoc individuals and their supporting organizations.
Join our movement as a volunteer, board member, or behind-the-scenes supporter.
From one time workshops to perpetual classes and community integration. We fit the unique needs of any organization.
Arts in health is too often the missing piece of the puzzle. See evidence based reports behind the work we do.
HIRE US
We offer workshops and training using applied improv and experiential learning to strengthen communication, collaboration, leadership, and adaptability.
Privatized Artistic Expression: A Public Health Epidemic
You know that moment when you have a good laugh? When it feels like just for that moment you’re a little bit lighter. It’s the moment that joy finally takes its turn with you and all of the sudden life glows warmer.
these moments shouldn’t be a privilege
For too long minority groups have been forced into lives of survival. It’s happening in this very moment. These groups are often locked out of the arts and forced into landscapes devoid of opportunities for play and socioemotional development. The system they were born into made expressive arts a luxury and the corporatization and single-minded focus of the bottom line continues to perpetuate the gap in access.
accessible play and expression offers an opportunity
it’s improv brings applied improvisation and culturally informed expressive practices to develop skills like emotional recognition, self-expression, self-awareness, empathy, relationship building and so much more to those groups. We facilitate psychologically safe spaces where individuals can build themselves back up while rising with others
Upcoming Events
For experienced musical improvisors
When - Saturday December 5th - 11am-2pm
Come create Holiday Fun in a musical improv workshop featuring Santa Diego’s own Jesse Suphan with accompanist Glenn Osga.
This workshop is for those who have experienced playing musical Improv and want to gather to dust off their skills and be ready for the holidays! You know-those moments when the only thing left to do is … Sing It! Guided play with plenty of reps!
Sponsored by your elves at it’s improv who know that the best present is to yes, and everything!
We’re happy to provide this joy to our community at large.
Sponsor a Ticket: Help make improv more accessible in San Diego by sponsoring a ticket!
Class Location: Savina 1388 Kettner Boulevard, San Diego, CA (TROLLEY STOP: SANTA FE STATION)
Class Location Parking: Street parking only. This space is located downtown San Diego and there are no unmetered spaces close to the venue. Please plan accordingly. Spots are limited to 2 hours and meter renewal will be necessary should you park in a metered spot.
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Facilitator: Jesse Suphan
Musical Director: Glenn Osga
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Your ticket directly supports:
Free community improv classes
Facilitator compensation
Expansion of partnerships and programs across San Diego
Sustainable arts access for all
it’s play. without a paywall
___________________________________________________
No Return / No Refund Ticket Policy
All ticket sales are final. Tickets are non-refundable and non-transferable. As a nonprofit Benefit event, all proceeds directly support it’s improv’s free community programs, facilitator compensation, and organizational growth.
If you are unable to attend, you may choose to treat your ticket purchase as a charitable contribution. Thank you for supporting our mission and helping keep improv accessible to the communities we serve.
Open to graduates of Mockingbird, FCI or NCT program or equivalent experience. Harold experience a plus!
Classes - Saturday 11/21 & Sunday 11/22 10a-2p Both Days (at class location)
Show - Sunday 11/22 6:30p-8:00p (at show location)
Participants to be separated into 3 teams. Each team will take a workshop with each instructor focusing on a different section of the Harold. After lunch on day 2, each team will rehearse for the show at 6:30p that evening.
3 two- hour Workshops culminating in a show on the final day - $150.00 including a delicious Chicago style lunch on Sunday.
Sponsor a Ticket: Help make improv more accessible in San Diego by sponsoring a ticket!
Class Location: Savina 1388 Kettner Boulevard, San Diego, CA (TROLLEY STOP: SANTA FE STATION)
Class Location Parking: Street parking only. This space is located downtown San Diego and there are no unmetered spaces close to the venue. Please plan accordingly. Spots are limited to 2 hours and meter renewal will be necessary should you park in a metered spot. Sunday parking is free.
Show Location: Mockingbird Improv, 2590 Truxtun Rd #200, San Diego, CA 92106
Show Location Parking: Plenty of free parking! It’s in Liberty Station
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Facilitators: Trevor Tevel, Skyler Davis Lee and Neil Patel
___________________________________________________
Your ticket directly supports:
Free community improv classes
Facilitator compensation
Expansion of partnerships and programs across San Diego
Sustainable arts access for all
it’s play. without a paywall
___________________________________________________
No Return / No Refund Ticket Policy
All ticket sales are final. Tickets are non-refundable and non-transferable. As a nonprofit Benefit event, all proceeds directly support it’s improv’s free community programs, facilitator compensation, and organizational growth.
If you are unable to attend, you may choose to treat your ticket purchase as a charitable contribution. Thank you for supporting our mission and helping us keep improv accessible to the communities we serve.
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