Perform... Or Not. You're Always Welcome Here.

No Pressure. Ever.

Process improvisation never requires that you perform. You can show up, play with your fellow improvisers, and go home smiling — every single class cycle, indefinitely. No limelight, no audiences, no pressure. This suits many of our students perfectly and we fully support it.

But if you want to get on stage? We've got you.

Our Student Showcases

At the end of every class cycle, students who want to perform take the stage at local venues — often the 21Ten theater in inner SE PDX — so they can improvise in front of real audiences. These showcases are open to the public, so friends, family, colleagues, and curious strangers are all welcome to come and watch.

David's teacher, Stan Wells, believed that performing is a crucial part of the learning process — that something shifts when you take what you've practiced in a safe room and offer it to an audience. We share that belief. But we also know it's not for everyone, and we never push.

If you're ready to perform, we'll help you get there. If you're not, we'll still make a home for you in our studio. We’re here to help you get to a performance skill level and can recommend places to improvise in Portland with supportive audiences, something you’ll see in the photos of our students below.

Either way, we’ll make a home for you in our studio and ensure that you’re always comfortable participating in our most joyful and collaborative art form.

What to Expect at a Showcase

Our showcases are warm, supportive, and genuinely fun — for performers and audiences alike. You'll see students at various levels take the stage and do something brave: improvise in front of strangers. The audiences love it. Our showcases are one part demonstration and one part performance. When our students hit the stage, we let the audiences “peak behind the curtain”. Prior to performing, we explain the kind of skills that go along with each level of learning improvising.

This way, we set our students up for success, not pressure.

If you're curious about attending a showcase as an audience member before committing to classes, you're welcome to come and watch. It's one of the best ways to experience what Change Through Play is all about.

Check the Calendar for Upcoming Showcases

Ready to Start Your Journey to the Stage?

Every performer starts as a beginner. Our Foundations class is where most students begin — and the stage is always there when you're ready for it.

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