WELL 34 — The Improviser's Toolbox: Embrace the Unexpected
Quarter: Spring
Instructor(s): Vince Ricci
Date(s): Mar 31—May 5
Class Recording Available: Yes
Class Meeting Day: Mondays
Grade Restriction: NGR only; no credit/letter grade
Class Meeting Time: 6:00—7:30 pm (PT)
Tuition: $380
Refund Deadline: Apr 2
Unit(s): 0
Enrollment Limit: 25
Status: Registration opens Feb 24, 8:30 am (PT)
Quarter: Spring
Day: Mondays
Duration: 6 weeks
Time: 6:00—7:30 pm (PT)
Date(s): Mar 31—May 5
Unit(s): 0
Tuition: $380
Refund Deadline: Apr 2
Instructor(s): Vince Ricci
Grade Restriction: NGR only; no credit/letter grade
Enrollment Limit: 25
Recording Available: Yes
Status: Registration opens Feb 24, 8:30 am (PT)
Unexpected situations are a constant in everyday life, and improvisational skills can transform uncertainty into opportunity. Improvisation isn’t just about being funny or quick-witted—it’s about harnessing your natural problem-solving instincts and responding with confidence. This course teaches you to trust your instincts and comfortably navigate the unexpected. Each week, you will explore techniques from an “improviser’s toolbox” that encourage quick thinking, attentive listening, and effective communication. From handling on-the-spot questions in job interviews to leading impromptu team discussions, you will practice innovative methods developed at Stanford and tested around the world. Whether you're aiming to enhance collaboration, inspire innovation, or simply feel more comfortable in unplanned situations, this course equips you with the tools to adapt smoothly to any situation, leaving you with greater confidence and a practical skill set for navigating the unknown.
VINCE RICCI
Founder and Principal, City Stages
Vince Ricci is a lifelong educator and leadership coach who has studied, performed, and taught improvisation internationally. While at Stanford, he served as the founding education director of the Stanford Improvisors under the guidance of Patricia Ryan Madson. He has taught writing and presentation skills at the University of Tokyo. He has been a board director and former president of the Association of International Graduate Admissions Consultants, and his work has been published in Applied Improvisation Magazine.Textbooks for this course:
(Recommended) Patricia Ryan Madson, Improv Wisdom: Don't Prepare, Just Show Up (ISBN 978-1400081882)