ESSENTIAL HUMAN SKILLS
FOR AN INCREASINGLY DIGITAL WORLD
The ability to listen, adapt, connect, collaborate, and communicate with confidence matters more than ever.
ImprovED uses applied improvisation to develop these skills through active, engaging practice. We specialize in working with young people, emerging adults, early-career professionals, and the organizations that support them. We also bring this approach to workplaces and teams looking to work better together, break down silos, and build stronger relationships.
“Research has found that improv can improve communication, trust, creativity, listening, empathy, and the ability to handle uncertainty.”
—The New York Times
Whether working directly with children, young people, early-career professionals, teams and organizations, or training the people who support them, ImprovED creates opportunities to practice human skills that help people better connect, communicate, collaborate, and find confidence in their voice.
“Firms have used comedy as a way to hone their employees’ soft skills for some time.”
—The Economist, “What Companies can Learn from Comedians”
Our Philosophy
Essential human skills in an increasingly digital world require practice.
Technology is changing how we learn, work, and communicate, but our ability to connect with other people still matters. Listening closely, expressing ideas with confidence, adapting in the moment, collaborating, and building meaningful relationships are skills we develop by actually doing them.
Applied improvisation creates a space to practice those skills. Through interactive, experiential learning, ImprovED gives participants opportunities to take risks, listen attentively, respond in the moment, build on one another’s ideas, and become more confident communicators overall.
And because these skills need to be reinforced beyond a single workshop, ImprovED also works with educators, leaders, and organizations to bring these practices into the spaces where people learn, work, and grow.
ImprovED partners with:
Schools, colleges, and universities
Libraries and community organizations
Nonprofits and youth-serving organizations
Faith-based organizations
HR and professional development departments
Early-career and workforce development programs
Companies and professional organizations
Educators, leaders, and facilitators
GROWTH HAPPENS WHEN PEOPLE FEEL SAFE ENOUGH TO TAKE RISKS.
That’s where the right facilitator matters. Heather DeLude brings decades of experience in education, applied improvisation, performance, and facilitation to create spaces where people can participate fully, experiment, connect, and grow.
“The literature demonstrates for patients, for example, that there are multiple positive impacts [of improv]. This includes for stress relief. This includes for sensation of pain reduction. It includes emotional support, connection to others.”
—PBS NewsHour “How the Mayo Clinic is Using Improv to Engage Dementia Patients”
Heather DeLude is the founder of ImprovED Learning Solutions, where she uses applied improvisation to help people of all ages become stronger, confident communicators and collaborators who value connection.
Drawing on decades of experience in education, improvisation, facilitation, and leadership, Heather designs highly interactive workshops for young people, emerging adults, early-career professionals, and the educators and organizations that support them. Her work helps participants listen more closely, think on their feet, build on others’ ideas, communicate with confidence, and navigate real-world interactions.
Known for her engaging, energetic, and practical approach, Heather creates learning experiences where participants actively practice new skills—not just hear about them. Workshops can be customized to the needs of a school, organization, company, or group, with an emphasis on skills participants can use immediately.
Heather holds a Bachelor’s degree in Theater and Communications, a Master’s degree in Educational Psychology, a Sixth-Year degree in Educational Leadership, and brings more than 25 years of experience designing and facilitating engaging and effective learning experiences. Her background as a teacher, instructional leader, theatre artist, and trained improviser gives her a unique understanding of how people learn by doing.
Heather has trained with some of the nation's leading improvisation organizations, including The Second City Training Center, iO (ImprovOlympic), The Annoyance Theater, and ComedySportz. She combines these techniques with decades of experience in education and professional development to create engaging workshops that strengthen communication, collaboration, and team performance.
Her workshops create an environment where participants build confidence, communicate openly, collaborate effectively, and practice new adaptive skills in real time.
Ready to strengthen communication, build stronger connections, and strengthen confidence? Let's start the conversation.
Featured Media & Conversations:
NPR Good at Heart Podcast: More Than a Calling
Good Morning Wilton Article: One Part WHS English Teacher, One Part Second City Improv Alum
Westport Magazine Feature: Heather DeLude on Improv
“Gen Z’s interaction anxiety has expanded beyond ‘telephobia.’ Despite craving closeness, they’re now reluctant to engage in face-to-face conversations. What will it take to get Gen Z talking…Speech, acting, and improv classes can help.”
— Washington Post, “How Theater can Teach our Kids to be Empathetic”
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ImprovED Learning Solutions uses applied improvisation to help organizations build stronger communication, collaboration, leadership, creativity, and adaptability. Through interactive, experiential workshops, participants develop practical skills they can immediately apply.
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Our programs are designed for organizations and individuals, of all types, who want to strengthen their skills in communication, collaboration, creativity, and adaptability. And although we specialize in working with schools and non-profit organizations that work with children, young people, and early career professionals, the skills we teach are also transferable to corporate teams and professional associations. Each workshop is customized to meet your organization’s goals.
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Here are some of our most popular offerings:
Classroom Communities & Active Learning Learn techniques that turn the classroom into active, collaborative and engaged learning experiences.
Building Better Conversations
Build active listening, authentic communication, and stronger classrooms and workplaces.The Power of "Yes, And"
Learn how acceptance, collaboration, and curiosity create stronger teams.Building Trust Through Connection
Practical team-building activities that strengthen psychological safety and collaborative teamwork.Leading with Confidence and Curiosity
Develop adaptable leadership and communication skills for today's changing classrooms and workplaces.. Learn how to listen attentivity to consistently make people feel seen and heard.The Courage to Try
Create a culture where thoughtful risk-taking and learning replace fear of failure.Breaking Down Silos
Increase collaboration and trust across departments and teams.Creative Thinking for Real-World Challenges
Unlock practical creativity and adaptability anyone can use. Build confidence and develop quick decision-making.Group Facilitation That Engages
Learn techniques that turn meetings and training into active learning experiences.Teacher Collaboration That Works Learn techniques that turn meetings and PD into active learning experiences.
Every workshop is customized to your organization's goals, audience, and schedule.
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Yes. Every workshop and training session is tailored to meet the unique needs, age group, and objectives of each organization or community. Book a discovery call to see how I might be able to assist your organization.
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Both options are available. Sessions can be delivered in person or virtually, depending on location, preferences, and program goals. Although in-person sessions offer the richest interactive experience, virtual workshops are highly engaging and designed to encourage meaningful participation, collaboration, and connection. Continual coaching packages are offered to ensure sustainable growth.
LET’S BUILD THE HUMAN SKILLS THAT MATTER.
Human skills require practice. ImprovED workshops give people of all ages the chance to practice communicating clearly, listening closely, thinking on their feet, collaborating with others, and building confidence in their own voice.
Workshops are also available for the educators, leaders, managers, and organizations that support them, with practical ways to bring these skills into classrooms, programs, and workplaces.
“While these classrooms, projects, and learning outcomes differed, there was a single common thread that contributed to the success of the work: The students had all learned and followed the rules of improv, which require rigorous listening, spontaneity, and creativity.”
—Edutopia, “Using Improv to Build Group Work Skills”