Background| St. Paul|Just Kidding Improv, LLC

BACKGROUND

JUST KIDDING

IMPROV

Just Kidding Improv, was started in 2013, after enrolling my child in classes at a local improv theater. I saw how it started to transform her - she laughed more easily, used her imagination when playing with friends and was overall just having fun. I also noticed she was starting to problem solve situations when she was experiencing anxiety. There was a confidence in her that carried over to academics and relationships with her peers. That is when I knew I wanted other children to experience the power of improv.

In the last 12 years teaching classes, I have seen the powerful effects that improv has brought to kids of all ages. In 2020 when the pandemic hit - and along with it, the social and emotional toll it took on kids - I knew it was more important than ever for kids to have a safe place to connect with their peers, explore their emotions, laugh and just have fun! I am so excited to enter every class, ready to connect with kids, and for them to just be themselves. The best part of teaching is the kids! Something that makes JKI different than other theater classes is you can continue to take it again and again, because like improv each session is always new and it is never the same class twice! It is not only a class, it's a community.

SKILL

DEVELOPMENT

PRINCIPLES

Principles of Improv

Failure is Okay - you learn from it, so celebrate it
Make your partner look good
Yes... and.... Accept your partners offer and add to it
Fully commit to your choices
Do what comes next - keep it simple
LISTEN!!!

Skill Development

The goal is to build social and emotional skills through play. Improv is to play and have fun through games and interaction with peers. During play, it is not important that you find the right answer, more importantly while playing in improv, you learn it is okay to make mistakes - to learn from them and move forward. It is through this play we foster spontaneous and creative development.

What Are The Outcomes of Improv

Self Awareness
Team Building
Collaborating
Listening
Following Directions
Self-Confidence
Problem Solving
Empathy
Creative Thinking Skills
Intuitive Skills build valuable social and emotional skills through play.

About Me

I have a passion for improv, because it has changed my life. We are lucky to have an amazing improv community in the Twin Cities, which has allowed me to meet awesome improvisors and take classes with teachers from around the world. I am a committed teacher, performer and student. In my 10 years in the classroom, and 20 years in education, I have applied improv techniques in my lessons with great results.

In my many years of teaching improv, I have learned anyone can benefit from improv, no matter their abilities. I have taught all levels and abilities of students and seen amazing transformations.

My background is in teaching, curriculum development, human resources, training and development and project management. My degrees are in Communications from Winona State University and a Masters from the University of St. Thomas.

I continue to actively work on my own skills as an improviser and performer. I am involved in a duo, Community Ed, we have performed at Two Friends, New Orleans improv Festival Green Bay Improv Festival and Omaha Improv Festival multiple times as well as locations all over the Twin Cities. HUGE Theater, Honey's, Bryant Lake Bowl, I have also produced a monthly improv show called Dynamic Duos at Dreamland Arts and produced and performed shows at Bryant Lake Bowl called Community Ed with a Side of Just Nancee. We have performed for Fearless Comedy, as well as performing for private events. I also play in other improv groups, Cursed and Amy Presents... I am located in St. Paul, Minnesota.

Education & Background

B.A. Communications
Master of Arts Teaching
Licensed Teacher
10 years classroom teacher and curriculum development
8 yearsHuman Resources: Training and Development, Recruitment and Organizational Development