A mysterious new project…

I’ll admit, it was a bit of a mysterious announcement.

Recently I offered a free improv workshop in a Facebook post. Not very peculiar, so far.

The description was deliberately vague: ‘We will play scenes, I will give you feedback’. A little mysterious.

Also, the prerequisite was: participants should not have taken classes with me before. Only improvisers new to me were allowed in. More mystery.

Lastly, I was recording the entire workshop so I had them sign a quitclaim. Before knowing what it was about.

Curiosity. Question marks. Mystery!

English, improvisatie, international, Teaching improvLaura DoorneweerdJune 6, 2021improvisation, improv comedy, improv theatre, improv, career, teacher, teaching, trainer, coach, lessons, improv learning center, online course, membershipComment

The 12 lessons I learned from my teachers

Do you remember that one great teacher from your past?

And that one thing they said, that you always remembered?

When I pondered over this question, it wasn’t actually just one. My list of teachers kept growing. And with it, the list of lessons I learned.

I summarized the countless things I learned about performing into this list of 12 teachers, 12 lessons:

Silvia W.: Dancing is for the joy of it.
Ron H.: Explore the stage.
…

English, improvisatie, international, Teaching improvLaura DoorneweerdMay 15, 2021improvisation, improv comedy, improv theatre, improv, career, teacher, teaching, trainer, coach, lessons, advise, exercise, journalingComment

How to get more movement in your (online) class

Hey, I know. Getting your improv students to move and not stand & talk all the time is hard.

But... getting your improv students to move in an ONLINE class? Even harder.

Maybe you don't even know which exercises would work for that.

Let me help you out!

I have tips for more movement in your classes. Some are big and ridiculous. Some are small and easy.

English, improvisatie, international, Teaching improvLaura DoorneweerdApril 12, 2021improvisation, improv comedy, improv theatre, improv, pandemic, corona, covid, peptalk, video, career, teacher, teaching, trainer, coach Comments

How I stay sane & confident in challenging times

One year into the pandemic is not easy. For almost anyone.

I consider myself a relentless optimist, and wow… Is that part of me being challenged! While this is the most important time to take care of yourself

That is why in this video/podcast I will share with you different ways how I stay sane, and how I work on my confidence. Because standing still is not really my thing.

I hope sharing these with you can give you the inspiration to find what makes you happy, and feel great (or just a little better) about yourself.

English, improvisatie, international, Teaching improvLaura DoorneweerdMarch 28, 2021improvisation, improv comedy, improv theatre, improv, pandemic, corona, covid, peptalk, video, career, teacher, teaching, trainer, coachComment

How to teach in English 🌍 (as a non-native English speaker)

Do you ever worry about teaching in English (as a non-native English speaker)?

In this lesson, I will share my experiences teaching in my 2nd language. The mistakes, the shame, and how I became more confident.

Consider this your pep talk: your English doesn't have to be 'good' to teach in it.

English, improvisatie, international, Teaching improvLaura DoorneweerdMarch 20, 2021improvisation, improv comedy, improv theatre, improv, peptalk, video, career, teacher, teaching, trainer, coach, language, ESL, speakingComment

How to come up with a warmup for your workshop

Is it better to play ridiculous failing games as a warmup? Or do complex musical scales?

In this lesson, I am sharing with you 3 angles to find the perfect warmup for your workshop. And I am giving a few examples for each of them.

This is especially great if you find it hard to make up your own exercises or feel like you don't know enough exercises.

English, improvisatie, international, Teaching improvLaura DoorneweerdMarch 14, 2021improvisation, improv comedy, improv theatre, improv, pandemic, corona, covid, peptalk, video, career, teacher, teaching, trainer, coachComment

How I helped these 3 improvisers when they said ‘I have nothing to teach'

In my Zoom session about finding a topic, I had a bunch of improvisers in the room and I helped them find something to teach.

In this live video I will share 3 examples of improvisers thinking ‘I have nothing to teach…’ and what I have told them.

These 3 reasons were mentioned:

I am not a full-time improviser.
I am not as funny/fast/loud. I always play [something else].
I am not good at one thing. I am a bit of everything.

Let me explain to you how your 'weakness' is your superpower.

English, improvisatie, international, Teaching improvLaura DoorneweerdFebruary 26, 2021improvisation, improv comedy, improv theatre, improv, pandemic, corona, covid, peptalk, video, career, teacher, teaching, trainer, coachComment

"I am not unique enough to teach improv" - 3 tips for finding a topic

Do you feel like you are not very different from other improv teachers? Or that there are too many teachers out there anyway?

Let's talk!

I have 3 tips for you for finding a topic that you can teach. Easy-peasy!

And afterwards I am inviting you to a free Zoom session with me!

English, improvisatie, international, Teaching improvLaura DoorneweerdFebruary 21, 2021improvisation, improv comedy, improv theatre, improv, pandemic, corona, covid, peptalk, video, career, teacher, teaching, trainer, coachComment