Practice for the unexpected. Discover hope in our capacity to respond together.
Shifting from panic to confident action
Heroic Improv is an emergency readiness program that trains diverse groups of people to respond quickly, calmly, and independently to any unexpected situation.
By using theater techniques in low-stakes environments, Heroic Improv helps individuals, teams, and public-facing communities learn how to confidently navigate and respond to stressful situations without panic.
Why Improv
In moments of stress, our bodies generate adrenaline, and we naturally go into fright, flight, or freeze. Improv exercises trigger the same adrenaline response, but through imagination and play. As we practice grappling with the unknown — using these novel, intense and focused exercises — people develop new pathways in the brain that enable them to take confident action when faced with real-life uncertainty or emergencies.
Our Trainings & Workshops
Heroic Improv offers virtual and in-person workshops that build small-group creativity, collaboration, and emergency readiness through interactive exercises. Participants can learn the Heroic Improv Cycle©, practice customized emergency scenarios, develop or assess emergency plans, and build the skills to respond quickly and creatively under pressure.
Meet Dr. Mary Tyszkiewicz
Mary Tyszkiewicz, Ph.D. (SAY: Tiz KEV itch) is an emergency readiness trainer, small-group facilitator, impact evaluator, and improv enthusiast. With expertise in social science and organizational design research, Dr. Tyszkiewicz has brought her 5-step Heroic Improv Cycle© to diverse groups and individuals across the United States and abroad.
“Everyone deserves to feel safe where they live, work, learn, and play.”
— Dr. Mary Tyszkiewicz, Ph.D
Through studying case studies of rapid rescues and instant innovations in accidents, disasters and emergencies, we uncover the spontaneous team abilities that people in small groups use to address high-stakes crises with other people on the scene in what I call the Heroic Improv Cycle©.