“It’s a sneaky way of teaching.”
Michael Bruckmueller is a teaching artist with more than 25 years of experience in theatrical improvisation. He holds an MFA in Theatre Pedagogy from Virginia Commonwealth University and a BFA in Theatre Performance from the University of Minnesota Duluth. In addition to being a co-founder of MNprov, Michael works as the Director of Education at CSz Twin Cities, is an adjunct professor at St. Catherine University, and is a freelance coach and instructor.
Michael has facilitated Applied Improvisation workshops for the Autism Society of Minnesota, 3M, Cargill, Target, US Bank, Land O’Lakes, General Mills, United Healthcare, Comcast, and many more businesses and organizations.
Catherine Thimmesh is the award-winning author of many books for children, including Girls Think of Everything and Team Moon, winner of the Sibert Medal. Her books have received numerous starred reviews, appeared on best books lists, and won many awards, including the IRA Children's Book Award and Minnesota Book Award. She lives in Minnesota with her family.
“We start by accepting students as they are.
Kelly Kautz is an innovative, national board-certified special education teacher with more than 20 years of experience. She holds a BS degree in Special Education and Elementary Education from the University of Idaho, and an MS in Special Education from Portland State University. Kelly completed the Autism Certificate program through Hamline University in the spring of 2005.
Kelly's interest in using applied improv to meet students' social, emotional and communication needs began in 2016, when she received a grant from the Minnetonka School Foundation to provide improv classes to her students. In 2017, Kelly started the Minnetonka High School improv club, creating an inclusive space for students to enjoy improv together. During the summer of 2018, Kelly attended a week-long improv camp for educators at Indiana University
“Through improv at school, I saw my daughter come out of her shell. She became more animated and funnier than I had ever seen her. It’s almost like I got to know her for the first time.”
—Parent
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