I've had the privilege of bringing improvisation into some unexpected spaces — workshops for people experiencing homelessness, performances for seniors in assisted living, a workshop for caregivers of people with dementia. These experiences have been among the most meaningful of my practice. They've also been among the most instructive, in ways I didn't always anticipate. In each of these contexts, something happened that made me look more carefully at the exercises I was usi

I recently read an article explaining what Eat, Pray, Love author Elizabeth Gilbert calls The Most Interesting Path Game: “You go out of your hotel or your ship if you're staying shipboard, and you look to your left, look straight ahead, you look to your right, and you make - without your phone by the way - you make a conscientious decision in the moment of which path looks the most interesting.” In the context of travel, this was described as a "simple, radical shift from pu

I recently took an improv class as a learner rather than a facilitator. Stepping fully into the participant role reminded me how powerfully the structure of teaching shapes what people are able to learn. I enrolled to explore a specific framework and stretch my practice. What stayed with me, however, was not the framework itself but a renewed clarity about the facilitation principles I am committed to practicing through The Agile Mind. Content Matters, But Containers Matter M

Engaging with the Unexpected In the realm of applied improvisation, unexpected scenarios often arise. This is where the true value of exercises like Tired Zombie and Chairstorm comes into play. They provide a safe space for teams to explore their dynamics and enhance their collaborative skills. Tired Zombie In Tired Zombie, chairs are scattered in the space with participants seated in all but one empty seat. A designated “zombie” lurches around the room, trying to sit down. E

What if you could become a better listener, feel more confident in meetings, unlock your creativity, and handle life’s surprises with ease—all while playing games and laughing with others? That’s the idea behind Everyday Improv: Skills for Life, a six-week interactive workshop series offered by The Agile Mind. No acting or comedy background is required—just curiosity and a willingness to play. Improvisation—better known as “improv”—is often associated with quick-witted comedi

Magic Moment 1: Seven of Diamonds The last weekend of July, I had the privilege of participating in a workshop at the famous BATS Improv in San Francisco. The workshop was titled William Hall. I tried my best to be a sponge, soaking up knowledge from a master facilitator over the weekend. I learned by doing in a small group workshop. At BATS (photo by Dana Mitroff Silvers) The first bit of magic came via what seemed to be an actual trick. William asked a participant to select

Recently, I read a professor's lament that students don't want to read books anymore. Attention spans have shrunk to the length of a TikTok video, and many struggle to concentrate on longer works of fiction that have been considered essential college reading. As someone with a stack of half-read books on my nightstand, I realized I too have been spending more time scrolling on my phone than being transported to another world through the magic of a story. The professor cited P

When people think of improvisation, they often picture a stage, a spotlight, and a comedy show. But applied improvisation is something deeper and more transformative; it’s about building trust, connection, and resilience through playful, collaborative exercises that mirror the challenges of real life. And for people experiencing homelessness, it can be a powerful tool for healing, empowerment, and community. What Is Applied Improvisation? Applied improvisation uses the princi