Improviser Terry Withers Launches Free Weekly Improv Training With The Radical Agreement Project

Determined to keep improv comedy relevant during the pandemic, long-time improviser/teacher Terry Withers (UCB Theatre NY) has launched The Radical Agreement Project.

Social distancing and other necessary safety precautions have devastated improv comedy theaters and communities across the United States, threatening the momentum of this vital and heretofore growing American artform.  While crowded theaters and in-person classes may be off the table for now, improv is still a valuable tool for the development of professional soft skills.  Armed with this knowledge, Radical Agreement Project founder Terry Withers has hit on an unusual workaround.

“Comedy improv doesn’t work nearly as well on Zoom as it works in person.” said Mr Withers.  “And long classes or shows can be overwhelming online.  But improv teaches so much more than comedy. It teaches teamwork, listening, creativity, flexibility, innovation and so much more. Essentially it helps you develop and hone just about every soft skill you can think of, so the application to professionals engaged in public speaking, sales, negotiation, or management/leadership is obvious.  And then it is really great for the development of team building or teamwork skills.”

Radical Agreement sessions are both bountiful and brief.  Sessions are quick hitters, lasting only 15-30 minutes and are offered for free 3 to 5 times a week.  Each session is designed to leave participants armed with everything they need to lead an improv exercise themselves.  During the sessions participants will try out an exercise while Mr. Withers leads.  Afterwards they receive takeaway materials that include simple facilitation instructions, talking points for different learning goals and tips on how to provide guidance for the exercise they worked on.

Mr. Withers has been surprised by the warm response his project has generated among Learning & Development, and HR professionals.

“I sent out a few emails offering free workshops and before I knew it I was training 10 to 20 new people a week from all over the country.  Sometimes from small train the trainer consultancies, but I’ve had more than a few big names.  People from Nike, Hanes, Harry’s Razors, The NBA.  I’ve been very surprised and flattered by the attention.” blushed the dashingly, wry Mr. Withers.

According to Mr. Withers, some participants attend one session and that’s enough for them.  But everyone is invited to attend as many sessions as they like and the project has a growing group of regulars.

“I host a monthly virtual Happy Hour now, where attendance can balloon to over 30 people.  We have a few drinks, people network and then we learn a new exercise.  It really feels like a fun special community is emerging.” explained Mr. Withers.

Interested parties can sign up to participate on the project’s website here:

https://www.radicalagreement.com/free-improv-classes

Online reviews seem to back Mr. Withers’ claims.  Currently the Project boasts a healthy 4.9 out of 5 stars on Google Business.  Nestled in the reviews is this nugget from an SHRM executive, “This Project provides activities that allow a group to learn collaboration skills, by supporting their team members in a positive and uplifting way. It is also, therefore, a useful way of building team communication and cohesion, by helping people communicate in an open, honest and constructive way. Our local SHRM Chapter has engaged the Project for a virtual meeting in the spring and expect a lot of interest for this program.”

About The Radical Agreement Project

Launched by long-time improv comedy teacher & performer Terry Withers, The Radical Agreement Project is a free, low-time-commitment, Learning and Development laboratory with a focus on exploring and sharing the training applications of improv comedy exercises in the workplace.

This is primarily accomplished through frequent but brief virtual learning sessions of 15-30 minutes in duration. Each session introduces and teaches a simple improv comedy exercise with applications to critical business skills. Take away materials detailing key applications are provided so that participants can easily take what they’ve learned back to their teams and run the exercises there.

The project is open to all professionals who work in a Learning & Development or managerial capacity across all industries and has a secondary goal of serving as a networking hub between contemporaries who would otherwise not have the opportunity to interact.

Oh! And we always try to make sure that the workshops provide a few laughs.

Go figure.

https://ucbcomedy.com/user/3206
https://wiki.improvresourcecenter.com/index.php/Terry_Withers
https://www.linkedin.com/in/terrence-withers-b2083b39/
https://www.crunchbase.com/person/terry-withers
https://speakerhub.com/speaker/terry-withers