The Best Improv Classes In Stockton

An accounting firm with a client list that featured demanding, unreasonable "professionals" wanted to use an improv class to practice working wit difficult people. Although I’ve run many improv classes around the country, Stockton’s unique blend of history, culture, and local pride offered the perfect backdrop for a customized workshop focused on improv's version of conflict resolution. There was a stated goal of harnessing spontaneous creativity to navigate difficult conversations and I personally wanted to do this while paying homage to the city’s distinctive character.

I arrived a day early to soak in Stockton’s sights and sounds. From the storied Bob Hope Theatre—its ornate architecture a nod to Stockton’s entertainment heritage—to the bustling waterfront that welcomes vessels along the San Joaquin River, the town hummed with energy. I also visited the Haggin Museum for inspiration. As I explored the city I reviewed the next day's curriculum in my head and found ways to accent it with my experiences.

When the accounting firm’s employees gathered, the tension in the room was palpable. That's pretty normal for the start of an improv workshop. The trick is to get everyone feeling playful fast.

I started by unveiling a new improv wearm up exercise, a “Stockton Warm-Up,” which asked players to list names related to Stockton life rapid fire. Standing in a circle, each staff member contributed a short phrase about a local landmark, custom or past event. The next person had to continue with an enthusiastic “Yes, and.” This playful nod to the city’s familiar haunts injected humor and pride into the session from the very beginning.

In one exercise later in the workshop, we even used a “Stockton accent,” jokingly created. Since no one really thought there was a Stockton accent we all ended up sounding like aliens. Then we did roleplays in which player would try to complete the annual taxes of an alien. Ridiculous and delightful, we were nonetheless able to meaningfully work on bending to another person's needs and finding ways to make difficult requests seem like the contributions of geniuses (a common improv trick).

Where I could, I weaved in references to the annual Asparagus Festival and the scenic Delta. We played a listening / collaboration game, Environment Charades. This is a game that asks participants to create an environment with mime work. Since most people are terrible mimes, their contributions could be thought of as "difficult".



Not only did this game let us practice working with difficult people (by building on difficult contributions) it also gave a great5 opportunity to laugh at ourselves and with each other; great for building a sense of team unity and camaraderie.

Improv classes aren't magic. No one mastered a new skill or solved all their problems. But participants walked away with the beginnings of a few new strategies and lots of great memories!