Team Building Workshops
in Portland
Interactive improv-based training that builds trust, improves communication, and strengthens collaboration across your team.
Change Through Play creates customized team building experiences designed for Portland companies who want their teams to connect authentically, communicate effectively, and collaborate joyfully.
— Nir Megnazi,
Leadership Coach, Intel
“David does incredible work in navigating the room toward our goal while being sensitive to everyone's needs and reactions. He creates a safe environment to participate, explore, and have fun!”
— Terence Ngai, Strategic Alliance Director, Price Waterhouse Coopers
“David challenged us on how to listen and handle difficult conversations, build, authentic relationships, and stretch ourselves beyond our comfort zone in order to deliver the best, authentic professional performance. Even for professionals who have done presentations all their lives. As a student of emotional intelligence for 20+ years, I find David's hands-on coaching to be a home run.”
THE CHALLENGE
Teams today face communication breakdowns, trust gaps, uncertainty about the rise of AI, and collaboration challenges.
Whether you're a startup building your first team culture, a growing company integrating new hires, or an established business breaking down departmental silos: traditional team building often falls flat.
In today’s environment - where AI is shifting the workplace in foundational ways - team cohesion has never been more important. Trust falls and forced icebreakers don't create lasting change because they focus on activities rather than on authentic connection and creating a place for vulnerability, honesty, and openness.
THE SOLUTION
We use applied or “process” improvisation to create genuine connections and lasting behavioral change.
Improvisation removes scripts and reveals how we truly communicate, listen, and work together. Our team building workshops develop the essential skills that teams need: active listening, building agreement, handling uncertainty, and creating psychological safety.
Research backs this approach:
Improv improves communication, listening, and empathy (New York Times)
It helps teams make better decisions under pressure (ScienceDirect)
It boosts brain function. Notably. (Psychology Today)
THE RESULTS
Measurable data. Progress experienced. Changes seen and felt. Our workshops will help your team:
Build trust and psychological safety so employees feel comfortable taking risks
Practice active listening that goes beyond waiting to talk
Learn to build agreement even in difficult situations using "Yes, And..." principles
Develop authentic collaboration through unscripted, real-time exercises
Improve communication skills including non-verbal cues and body language
Handle uncertainty and change with confidence and grace
Experience joy at work while building essential skills
Create lasting connections that translate to daily collaboration
Pricing Options & Categories
| Format | Duration | Pricing | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Half-Day Workshop | 2-3 hours |
Starting at $3,000 for up to 20 people Or $150 per person |
Team kickoffs, departmental challenges, introducing improv-based collaboration |
| Full-Day Workshop | 6.5 hours of training (includes lunch & breaks) |
Starting at $5,000 for up to 20 people Or $250 per person |
Annual retreats, deep work on complex challenges, comprehensive skill development |
| Multi-Session Series | Custom schedule |
Custom Pricing Contact us for quote |
Sustained behavioral change over weeks or months |
Additional costs: Venue rental (if not at your location) • Transportation beyond Portland metro • Catering
OUR APPROACH
Every team building workshop follows our proven process:
1. Evaluate: We meet with you to understand your team's specific challenges, dynamics, and goals.
2. Educate: We help you understand possible outcomes & then design solutions for your goals with the right mix of psychology, neuroscience, and deep lessons from The Arts.
3. Facilitate: We deliver interactive training anchored in physical, verbal, and group activities—all carefully debriefed.
4. Celebrate: We gather feedback from participants, share all insights & data with you, and provide additional resources to keep momentum going.
What our clients do isn't casual or haphazard. It isn't for us either.
OUR EXPERTISE
We've led team-building workshops at Nike, Intel, PWC, Joyful, Comcast, Portland State University, Oregon Food Bank, and other Portland organizations.
Applied Improvisation
Our trainers are professional actors and improvisers with decades of stage experience. We know how to teach presence, communication, and collaboration because we live it.
Customized Design
No cookie-cutter programs. Every workshop is tailored to your specific team challenges and organizational goals.
Research-Backed Methods
Our approach is grounded in applied improvisation, a field with proven results in improving workplace communication and collaboration.
READY TO BUILD A STRONGER TEAM?
Schedule a free 20-minute consultation to discuss your team's needs or contact us directly: (971) 266-4746