Exploring Mental Health Through Improv

A mental-health-centered improv play lab exploring emotions, hard moments, connection, and healthy ways to process what comes up.
About this Event

A mental-health-centered improv play lab exploring emotions, hard moments, connection, and healthy ways to process what comes up.

Come play, reflect, and experiment with a mental-health-centered approach to improv. This supportive play lab invites improvisers to explore emotions, difficult moments, connection, and healthy ways of processing what comes up, while making room for humor and a little catharsis.

What we may explore:

• Emotion-based warmups and physical or vocal exercises

• Open ended discussions about mindfulness for “yes and” with sensitive topics and personal boundaries. 

• ‘Inside Out’, a game where improvisers voice a character’s thoughts and feelings

• ‘Unpack it!’ A tool for redirecting if a scene starts to feel tough, giving the improviser time to slow down, think it through, and encourage self-agency on what choices they want to make in the scene

• ‘Hunt the Good Stuff’, where one player looks for something positive while everything goes wrong

We will play for about one hour and then check in as a group. If there is energy and interest, we may continue with additional games. Participants are also welcome to suggest a mental-health or therapy-forward game to try.

This is an exploratory improv gathering, not a therapy session or mental health treatment. You can participate at your own comfort level, pass on any exercise, and step away at any time. Please help us create a respectful, confidential, and nonjudgmental space.

This is also intended for people who have some experience with improvisation. Beginners are still welcome, but this gathering won’t be covering the basics before diving in. Attendees should have taken some intro to improvisation classes before joining for the best experience 😊

We will meet outdoors at Dolores Park. Bring water, layers, sun protection, and anything else you need to feel comfortable.