About Chicago Applied Improv

Chicago Applied Improv was founded by Jordan Reichardt and Eric Pedersen, two working Chicago improvisers who bring their stage experience into the training room. Sharing over 35 years of improv experience, they’ve performed and worked together in Chicago and improv festivals across the U.S. and Europe. With Chicago Applied Improve they've focused that experience on helping people and teams outside of comedy get better at judging less, listening and collaborating better, and thinking on their feet.

Improv isn't about being funny (although that is often the intended result) — it is a demonstration and practice of tangible every day skills that our professional selves constantly need: active listening, quick adaptation, and building trust with the people around you. Those are the same skills that make teams communicate better, leaders more responsive, and client relationships stronger, but it is extremely rare that we take time to actually practice those skills. We take the needs of the group we are working with and incorporate and create improv exercises to meet the goals you have. No pressure to perform, no ethereal theater exercises, just real human interactions that your team will leave feeling energized and communicating better.

What We Offer

• Corporate & team workshops — communication, collaboration, and adaptability training for professionals across industries

• Leadership & client-facing skills — active listening and quick-thinking exercises for people who manage teams or manage relationships

• Workshops for all ages — programs designed for children, adults, and seniors

• Custom sessions — tailored to your team's size, goals, and industry