Our point of view
True to improvisation’s collaborative nature we built our programs by getting inspiration from our favorite corporate clients, all women who have succeeded in their fields. We asked them about the behaviors and mindset that helped them not only succeed, but also remain happy and energized in their careers. Not surprisingly the behaviors and attitudes they cherished the most, matched perfectly to the behaviors and attitudes good improvisers assume when they jump on stage.
We were already familiar the positive impact of the improvisational mindset based on the experience of the women in our theater. Now we know that what we have learned about improvisation in the past 52 years can be a powerful tool for all women around the globe who are dedicated to reaching their full potential.
What are our women-focused programs
The bold and funny women of the BNW utilize experiential tools, stories and practical exercises, to help business women hone their creative confidence; approach problem-solving from a mindset of abundance; reframe success as a process and most importantly practice taking deliberate action and choosing their next move instead of acting out of habit. The team sprinkles highly entertaining keynotes and training sessions with plenty of humor to highlight key learning points and give learners a chance to practice behaviors that can accelerate their success and power them in the pursuit of their work and life goals.
CO’s dedicated women-focused team include our director of applied improvisation Margi Simmons, artistic director Katy McEwen, BNW owner, Jenni Lilledahl, VP of New Products Elena Imaretska and our main stage star Lauren Anderson. Using experiential tools, stories and practical exercises, we help women hone their creative confidence; approach problem-solving from a mindset of abundance; reframe success as a process and most importantly practice taking action and choosing their next move, instead of falling into it by habit.
Why we care
Women are an undeniable force in building the future of our planet, and investing and supporting their advancement is a key factor for ensuring global prosperity. We at the Brave New Workshop are passionate about doing our part and hope that through helping women unlearn behaviors that hinder their most authentic and creative selves from shining, we are removing a few barriers to their success. A large majority of our work focuses on women in the business world, because we find the lack of women in the highest ranks of leadership puzzling and the persistent global wage gap alarming.
We are aware of the many systemic and social reasons for those complex problems, and we know there is not a simple solution. We are also aware that part of the problem is a limiting mindset, which can hinder progress and stifle creativity. We hope that the people influenced by our programs will become aware of the mindset they assume automatically and what impact it has on their lives.
In addition, we give learners a chance to get to know the improvisational mindset and have it at their disposal when it is appropriate. Our goal is that by utilizing the improvisational mindset our program participants will believe in the power of their ideas more often, will remain engaged with their companies and communities in an intentional way, and will contribute their passion, ideas and unique points of view to the advancement of sustainable business and social practices.
What we teach: The Improvisational Mindset
The improvisational mindset is a set of assumptions that we make subconsciously when we are on stage and work hard to maintain when we are off stage. Adopting an improvisational mindset is our way of focusing our mental, emotional and creative energy on propelling ourselves towards the goal at hand and making any internal barriers or fears irrelevant. In our programs for women we introduce the improvisational mindset to our audiences and arm them with practice tools to foster or strengthen it in themselves.
Common topics we tackle are authenticity, confidence, working with change, presentation skills, diversity, point of view, creativity and being productive in an adverse environment.
How you can engage
Our team works with a variety of groups from corporate affinity groups, to leadership conferences, to women’s associations to business teams. We are happy to customize a session for your group ranging from 60 minutes to a full day.
We are also offering workshops open to the public at our Experimental Thinking Center several times a year. For dates and upcoming session please visit our Seminars for Women page.
If you would like more information or are interested in booking us please contact Elena Imaretska and elena@bravenewworkshop.com