Grounded in research, innovation, and compassion
Research shows that, in emergency situations, small groups naturally form to put their caring into action and resolve high-stakes crises. Inspired by the tragedy of 9/11 and developed from extensive research on real-life rapid responses, Heroic Improv addresses the practice gap between safety drills and real-world readiness by building our capacity to act in unexpected or emergency situations.
Heroic Improv uses imaginative, interactive, and fun exercises in low-stakes situations to help diverse communities of individuals and teams – ages 10 to 80 years old – strengthen their ability to communicate, adapt, and make decisions when it matters most.
About Heroic Improv
Meet Dr. Mary Tyszkiewicz
Mary Tyszkiewicz, Ph.D. (pronounced Tiz KEV itch) is an emergency readiness trainer, small-group innovation expert, impact evaluator, and keynote speaker. She is the creator of the Heroic Improv Program©, which uses theater exercises to help people build the skills they need to respond to life-threatening situations.
Her research led to the development of the five-step Heroic Improv Cycle©, a framework for understanding and practicing the abilities people use to respond to high-stakes crises. Through low-stakes theater exercises that simulate the feelings of urgency and uncertainty, participants practice moving from instinctive reactions toward creative, collective action.
As an emergency readiness specialist, Dr. Tyszkiewicz has trained hundreds of diverse, public-facing groups across the United States and Philippines. As a keynote speaker and thought leader, she has been featured on podcasts and in publications sharing her expertise on emergency readiness, small-group innovation, and the power of improvisation to prepare people for the unexpected.
Earlier in her career, she prepared analysis for senior decision-makers at the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), U.S. Congress, U.S. Department of Defense, and U.S. Department of Homeland Security. She is a fellow at Arizona State University’s Center for Organization Research and Design and holds a Ph.D. in Public Administration from Syracuse University’s Maxwell School.
