Portfolio

Articles: Improv for Educators & For More than Just Laughs

Performances

US & northern europe tours

2018: Four-week improv performing and teaching tour through six cities in Norway, Finland, and The Netherlands.

2017: 29 improv shows and 13 workshops in 19 cities at 19 improv theaters in the U.S. over the course of nine weeks.

Life as an improviser

Short video documentary by Austin Meyer.

NoteD

Co-created and perform an improv format based on notes audience members have stored in their smart phones.

Murder, Most un-scripted

Co-directed a 90-minute improvised murder mystery in the style of Agatha Christie at Un-Scripted Theater Company.

Classes

Building communication skills through theatrical improvisation@ Stanford

Created, developed, and taught five years of a summer course in the English for Foreign Students Program.

Performing under pressure

Co-created and co-facilitated an improv-based weekend intensive for undergraduate and graduate students at the Stanford d.school. Used improv exercises to train students in resilience, spontaneity, shared control, physical presence, storytelling, and stage skills.

the improviser’s mindset @ mit

Created and facilitated a session on The Improviser’s Mindset for undergraduate and graduate students and alumni during MIT’s Independent Activities Period.

“Great structure of games; each had its own purpose and headspace. They built off each other and took us as a group to a great place.”

“Mona was amazingly energetic, genuine, + engaging! I loved that she was open to modeling the exercises without trying to be overly showy, and would try new things out on the spot!”
- Workshop participants

San mateo improv team

Spent three years training the improv team at San Mateo High School. Led weekly practices and prepared students for three large performances per year.

Workshop: Sex & Violence

Developed and led workshops for experienced improvisers to explore scenes involving intimacy and violence. Created a culture of consent and feedback from which to build exciting scene work.

”A great workshop - all improvisers and improvising teams should take it.”
- Student at Impro Neuf, Oslo, Norway

Projects

How Collective Capital Works: A conceptual framework on video

Researched applied improvisation and created a conceptual framework for how improv teachers can create transformative classroom experiences that translate out into real-world behavior change.

building connections & Practicing supportive risk-taking

Developed and facilitated a customized training for senior and executive leadership teams at a fast-growing startup.

“CoCap has been an incredible partner to me at my last two startups in cultivating a culture of trust, curiosity, and innovation. The work they have led with my teams has fostered strong connections across the organization and has helped us stay human in even the most challenging times. Most importantly, they’ve reminded us that we can bring laughter and play into our work to produce better results and happier customers.”
- Alex Coonce, Vice President, People and Culture, Glint Inc.

story toolkit

Co-designed a physical toolkit for creating and tinkering with stories with fellow Harvard Graduate School of Education student, Emily Delman.

crafting a vision & mission for the seattle innovation & performance team

Conducted empathy interviews, co-facilitated a day-long workshop, and synthesized brainstorm results for two teams within the Mayor’s Office of Seattle that had just merged.

blog

Reflections on improvisation in the world.

Alcatraz: Art behind bars

Collaborated with a 4-person team at Stanford’s d.school to create and produce a theatrical experience on Alcatraz Island.