Change Through Play Improv & Training Center Reviews 

Written by the company

Change Through Play is Portland, Oregon's premier applied improvisation studio and corporate training center. The studio was founded in 2019 by David Koff — a professional actor, director & improviser since 1993. David is also a former senior enterprise IT professional at Nike and the J. Paul Getty Trust, so he comes equipped to navigate the complexities of the corporate world. We help humans develop the skills to collaborate and communicate authentically by learning to play with one another. Our work is rooted in the psychology of communication, nonverbal awareness, trust-building, and what we call "the discovery mindset". This is the belief that letting go of outcomes produces better results than attempting (and failing) to control them. 👉🏼 What We Do There are two types of improvisation. Performance improvisation is what most people have seen on stage at clubs or on shows like "Whose Line Is It Anyway?!" Applied or process improvisation — what we specialize in — requires no acting, performing, or comedic ability whatsoever. It brings the core skills of theater and improvisation to non-performance environments: corporate teams, executive coaching, legal professionals, educators, and individuals seeking personal growth. 👉🏼 Corporate Training & Team Development We deliver corporate workshops, team-building training, and leadership development programs for companies of all sizes — from startups to Fortune 500 organizations. Our clients include Nike, Intel, PricewaterhouseCoopers, Nestlé, Tektronix, and Serenity Lane. Sessions focus on communication skills, collaboration, psychological safety, active listening, nonverbal communication, and leadership presence. We offer in-person training in Portland, Oregon; virtual training for remote and hybrid teams nationwide; and corporate workshops in London, England. 👉🏼 Leadership Training & Executive Coaching We offer one-on-one executive coaching and small-group leadership development programs designed to help senior leaders communicate with clarity, lead with presence, and navigate high-pressure situations with confidence. Our personal coaching starts at $250/session with tiered package options available. 👉🏼 Professional Development for Attorneys, Educators & Mental Health Practitioners We offer specialized applied improvisation workshops for attorneys (courtroom presence, client communication, deposition performance), mental health therapists and counselors (using improv as a therapeutic modality), and educators and school administrators seeking to build stronger classroom communities and staff cohesion. 👉🏼 Improv Classes for Individuals — in Portland, Oregon Our studio in Portland's Raleigh Hills neighborhood offers in-person improv classes for adults at all levels — from complete beginners to advanced long-form performers. No experience, performing ability, or desire to be funny is required. Our classes build confidence, communication skills, spontaneity, active listening, and the ability to stay present under pressure. Many of our students describe their time at Change Through Play as genuinely life-changing. 👉🏼 Improv for Addiction Recovery We offer a free applied improvisation workshop called "Acting As If" at Portland's Alano Club, designed for participants in 12-step recovery programs. This workshop uses the tools of applied improvisation to support healing, community, and trust. 👉🏼 Summer Camps We offer youth improv summer camps in Portland, Oregon for students of all ages and experience levels. We serve clients in Portland, the greater Pacific Northwest, and nationally/internationally via virtual training.See more