Who's teaching this?

I'm Vince, and I've spent nearly 20 years teaching improv and facilitating workshops for people who think they'd be terrible at improv.

I created this course because I kept meeting thoughtful, interesting people who were convinced they were "bad at" socializing — when really, they were just stuck in their heads, trying to get it right instead of being present.

This course offers Improv principles (listening, responding, letting go of control) but without the performance aspect. You won't be asked to be funny, clever, or "on." You'll practice being available, present, human and you.

What we'll practice

Each session blends simple exercises, guided reflection, and gentle interaction. No acting. No pressure. No fixing yourself.

Week 1 — Showing up again
Staying present instead of avoiding or checking out
Practice: Noticing when you start to disappear (mentally or physically) during conversations, and choosing to stay instead.

Week 2 — Dropping the mask
Availability over impressing
Practice: Responding to unexpected questions without scripting your answer first — learning to trust what comes naturally instead of performing a "better" version of yourself.

Week 3 — Letting go of control
Responding instead of scripting
Practice: Navigating moments where you don't know what to say, discovering that connection doesn't require having the perfect words.

Week 4 — Being seen without performing
Comfortable visibility
Practice: Sharing something real without oversharing or undersharing — finding the middle ground between hiding and performing.

What to expect in each session

What actually happens in a session?

Each 60-minute Zoom session follows a gentle rhythm:

• Check-in (5 min): Brief hellos, set intention for the session

• Warm-up exercises (15 min): Simple, low-stakes activities to get out of your head

• Partner & small group practice (25 min): You'll practice specific skills in breakout rooms — no one is put on the spot in front of the full group

• Reflection & discussion (15 min): We'll talk about what you noticed, what felt hard, what surprised you

Everything is designed for people who hate forced participation. You can pass, you can observe, you can dip your toe in. The goal is practice, not performance.

What if I miss a session?
Life happens. Each session builds on the previous one, but missing one won't leave you lost. If our group agrees to recording each session, I’ll send you the link. You can email me too with any questions.

What you'll gain

After the course, you'll be better able to:

• Speak up without over-preparing

• Stay engaged when things feel uncertain

• Recover when moments don't go as planned

• Trust yourself in real conversations

• Feel more at ease being you with others

This isn't confidence as bravado. It's steadiness, presence, and contact.

Still not sure if this is for you?
Email me at citystages@gmail.com and we'll talk. If after the first session you decide it's not the right fit, I'll refund you in full — no questions asked.

SOME reflections from past participants

"I finally stopped trying to get it right and started showing up as myself. That shift changed how I talk to people."
- Keiko, Tokyo