February 14, 2018

Business

Why do improv?

Life doesn’t come with a script. Sometimes, you have to improvise.

Improvisational comedy or “improv” is fast, fun and unpredictable. People end up exploring ideas they were not even thinking of just moments earlier. The results are spontaneous and and often hilarious. Yet there is a serious side to improv.

Improv teaches skills such as quick thinking, cooperation, active listening, creativity and leadership. When these skills are applied in business, great things can happen; it’s no longer “business as usual.” Improv is taught at leading business schools and companies around the world.

Comic legend Bill Murray has described improv as the most important group work since they built the pyramids. Solutions come when people support each other and work together. The principles of improv are relevant for personal and professional development and can help people become better leaders, managers, colleagues and speakers.

Improv principles can be applied to the working world for personal development, team building, creativity and more. While you and your team have fun, you will also learn how to be more open, constructive, confident and creative.

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Benefits of improv for businesses and organizations

Below are some articles from well-known business magazines that discuss the different benefits of improv for the business world:

Fast Company: Why top companies and MBA programmes are teaching improv

Financial Management: How an improv class can help develop essential business skills

Forbes: Improv to Improve: Three “rules” to building an engaged, collaborative team

Forbes: Three ways improv comedy can improve your listening skills

Our workshops

Click one of the themes below to learn more about the different workshops that we offer.

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Contact us and let us create a bespoke workshop that is tailored to your needs.

Client testimonials

Below are excerpts from some of the many testimonials that we have received. For the full testimonials, please click here.

If you would like to stimulate your team to work more closely together, laugh and gain in confidence, and make important and quick communication skills discoveries, you should contact the Renegade Saints immediately.

Katie Klein, Associate Director – Human Resources and Christine Poletti, Associate Director – Comms & Events, International Road Transport Union (IRU)

The Renegade Saints delivered beyond our expectations. Over two days, they introduced groups of up to 40 people to techniques drawn from improvisational theatre known to be effective team-building exercises. This workshop was the most appreciated event of the entire offsite. The Renegade Saints were an example of effectiveness and professionalism, and I can recommend them without reservation.

David Lindelöf, Director of Data Science, Expedia Group

The value that the Renegade Saints bring is fantastic. I thoroughly recommend to other businesses to use them to warm up any team event and drive a great sense of fun, trust and support among colleagues.

Vicky Nef, Global Head of Consumer Insights, Logitech

Your improv workshop hit the nail on the head in terms of all of the communications areas that one needs to be aware of at work. Absolutely every single element of it can be applied in business.

Wendy Redford, Human Resources Business Partner, Medicines for Malaria Venture (MMV)

Key learnings and takeaways from the workshop turned into important red threads in our discussions. … I am convinced there are many others who would benefit from similar workshops.

Sebastian Buckup, Head of Programming, World Economic Forum

My team was delighted with the results. I would recommend them wholeheartedly.

Milos Maricic, Communications Department, International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies

The Renegade Saints perfectly understood our needs for our event on International Women’s Day. Their contribution to our evening was key to transport the participants into a different mindset.

Julia Borkenhagen, Women in Digital Switzerland

Thinking about thinking on your feet? Becoming a better communicator? Getting in touch with your creative side? The Renegade Saints led us through a laugh-filled morning where we did all of this.

Vinit Rishi, Director of Administration, Oak Foundation

The Renegade Saints facilitate truly engaging workshops on innovation and team dynamics. Our attendees said that they gained more insights in 45 minutes than in 4.5 years of reading.

James Miners, Senior Adviser, Fongit