Our methodology
Why Applied Improv Works for Business
Improv isn’t winging it. It’s a highly-refined system of observing, connecting and responding. We help your team become more nimble, adaptable, and creative.
Workshops for better work
Improv isn’t “winging it.” It’s a practical system for observing, connecting, and responding in real time—skills every team needs. At its core, improv trains people to:
Listen fully and stay present
Accept and adapt to new information
Support others and build on their ideas
Take smart risks with confidence
Let go of mistakes and move forward
Our workshops get people moving, laughing, and learning together—seeing each other as humans, not job titles. We use a proven set of exercises developed over 30+ years, and we adapt each session to the needs and dynamics of the group in front of us. No one is put on the spot, and everyone participates at a comfortable level.
The result is training that’s fast-paced, inclusive, low-risk, and directly connected to the way your team works.
Our Facilitators
Our trainers are seasoned improv performers and trainers with extensive onstage and workshop experience. Through CSz Worldwide and the Applied Improvisation Network, we stay connected to leading practitioners across the U.S., U.K., and beyond—constantly refining our approach and bringing fresh ideas to every session.
We also draw from a wide range of professional backgrounds, allowing us to connect improv principles directly to your team’s day-to-day work. Our facilitators have experience in:
Sales, customer service, and business ownership
Engineering, product design, and technology
Healthcare, education, and HR
Law, branding, and more
Committed to Ongoing Growth and Inclusive Training
We practice what we teach. Our team pursues continuous training in:
Applied Improvisation
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
Implicit bias
We’re deeply committed to ensuring every workshop is supportive, relevant, and accessible for all participants.
Certified & Accredited Training Team
Patrick Short, CAI-EP (Executive Practitioner, CSz Worldwide) and AIP (Applied Improvisation Network)
Rick Steadman - CAI-SP (Senior Practitioner, CSz Worldwide)
Shannon Stott, CAI-EP (Executive Practitioner, CSz Worldwide)
Ruth Jenkins, MS-CCC, SLP, CAI-SP (Senior Practitioner, CSz Worldwide)
Tiffany Crotty - CAI-SP (Senior Practitioner, CSz Worldwide)
Betse Green, CAI-SP (Senior Practitioner, CSz Worldwide)
Theresa Robbins Dudeck, Ph.D, CAI-SP (Senior Practitioner, CSz Worldwide, Fulbright Scholar)
Curtis Frye, CAI-P (Practitioner, CSz Worldwide)
Free E-Book: The Science Behind Applied Improv
Take a deeper dive into exactly why applied improv helps today’s teams excel in a fast-paced work world.
Filled with practical information and the latest research, this e-book will help you learn why applied improv training is much more than just fun—it’s one of the best ways to build a team that is nimble, connected, and able to respond to changing inputs.
Ready to learn more?
What you can expect when you get in touch:
A 15-minute conversation that dives into your needs and answers your questions.
No hard sales or pressure to buy.
A simple, one-page contract (if it’s a good fit). Exciting!
Helpful information even if we’re not the right fit at this time. Consider us a resource. We love what we do.
training@cszportland.com
(503) 236-8888, ext 4
Frequently Asked Questions
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No! There is no performing. Our training involves group exercises where nobody is singled out or put on the spot. It’s not about being clever or funny. It’s never scary or uncomfortable.
We don’t force people out of their comfort zones—we expand comfort zones.
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Some people are skeptical of “corporate training.” Some people hear “improv” and think it’s going to be their worst nightmare. We get it.
Across 30 years and more than 800 clients, we’ve gotten very good at presenting workshops that are so fun, so insightful, and so enticing that the biggest skeptics soon jump in to learn and play. We turn doubters into enthusiastic fans.
Our professional trainers are experts at “Winning the first two minutes.” We don’t push and we don’t shame. Instead, we make it irresistible to participate.
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We offer both in-person and Zoom-based training.
For in-person sessions, we can travel to your location, you can come to our theater in downtown Portland, or we can help you book a space.
Our Zoom-based sessions are perfect to help distributed teams connect and learn.
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We charge based on the length of the engagement, the number of professional trainers needed for your group size, and the amount of customization required.
All pricing is transparent and quoted up front after a short discovery call. No hidden fees or gotchas.
We don’t require a deposit. You can pay the day of the event by credit card or check.
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Yes! Clients sometimes bring us in for a learning workshop, followed by a performance by our professional improvisers. It’s a perfect engagement for an off-site event: learning + entertainment in one package.
Entertainment is always customized to your company and we take willing volunteers to assist us in our games. It’s a winning formula that works every time.
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Improv is for everyone and we’re skilled at working with differing physical, mental, and language abilities. There is no person who will ever be made to feel like less than a full participant.
Improv teaches people to adapt. We adapt to your group and your people.
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We are headquartered in Portland, Oregon—but our training goes wherever you are. Through CSz Worldwide and the Applied Improv Network, we deliver workshops across the United States and around the globe.
In Oregon, Washington, and Idaho, you’ll work directly with our local team. For clients elsewhere in the U.S. or internationally, we combine our Portland-based trainers with a vetted network of certified professionals to deliver the same high-quality experience anywhere in the world.
We’ve provided training in every U.S. state and in many countries worldwide.
For distributed teams, we offer fun and effective Zoom-based training for groups of any size.
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Absolutely! Introverts love our training because it’s all about listening and observing, something that introverts are expert in. There is no performing or being put on the spot in front of the group, ever.
Shy engineers and number-crunchers love our training because the exercises can feel like problem-solving. We teach how to reverse-engineer communication. It’s not touchy-feely or woo woo.
Best of all our training helps your organization create space for the quiet, shy, members of the team, so they can be heard too.