TEACHING

Improvisation is kinda my religion. I’m a firm believer in the practice of spontaneity and have seen first-hand the tremendous, positive change that improv training brings to classrooms as well as corporate environments.

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I’ve been teaching improv since I graduated from Syracuse University. I’ve taught in public schools and housing projects as well as in fancy Wall Street offices. Currently I’m a faculty member at the AMDA New York City campus where I teach improv as well as scene study and monologues. 

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At the core of improv is the concept of chivalry and the practice of making others look good. Improv training is a tremendous way to improve listening skills and is an essential team-building tool. It has helped me communicate with difficult-to-reach people, from special-needs public school kids to dementia patients. My improv practice helped me avoid getting mugged and aided me in my work as a private investigator in the 1990s. It has helped me remain spontaneous, curious and resilient.

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Corporate improv clients include Eli Lilly, FCB, AT&T, Unilever, PBS, and the Oxygen Network. I have also participated in corporate brainstorming sessions with The Sound Research, a global consulting and qualitative research agency.

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Acting program and improvisation teaching credits include AMDA, Williamstown Theater Festival, ACTeen, Arts Genesis, and Theater for a New Audience.

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At Syracuse University I studied four years of the improvisation philosophies and games of Viola Spolin. After moving to NYC I continued to study with the worldwide improv theater company TheaterSports, founded by Keith Johnstone. I also studied long-form improvisation with UCB founder Amy Poehler and am a founding member of “The Heartless Floozies,” an improv and sketch-comedy group.

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If you’re interested in taking one of my classes reach out to me at sheilahead@me.com or send me a direct message on Facebook.

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