Improv Classes
Mary C. Parker (she/her) is a veteran improv performer and improv educator. With over a decade of improv teaching and performance experience across Seattle, Portland, London, and Pittsburgh, Mary has taught at Bandit Theater, Kickstand Comedy, Carnegie Mellon University School of Drama, and Point Park University Conservatory of Performing Arts. She is the founding director of Bandit’s BIPOC Tumbleweeds teams and a founding faculty member of Kickstand Comedy’s BIPOC improv program. As a Certified Humor Professional (CHP), Mary has produced, directed, and taught improv in both in-person and online formats, reaching thousands of students and audience members globally. Her festival credits include the Edinburgh Improv Festival, Improv Festivus, 2nd Best Improv Fest, and the Pittsburgh Comedy Festival. Mary is also the Executive Producer of the Black Anthology Project (B.A.P.), documenting the stories of Black improvisers. She has published on identity, comedy, and structural racism, and conducted research on the impact of dramaturgy and performance on Black students. Offstage, Mary is as tall as Beyoncé, a reality-show enthusiast, and a mac and cheese aficionado who doesn’t believe all mac and cheese is equal.
Classes and Workshops:
Reviews and Testimonials
“Mary’s skills as a facilitator and collaborator cannot be overstated! She created a safe and approachable space for me to explore and discuss how my intersecting identities inform my practice as both a comedian and instructor through the use of applied improv.
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“Mary was a great instructor! Her intentionality was always apparent in every class. She is also a teacher who really watches and listens, and then adapts her teaching to match what the students are going through and what they need. I really appreciated her notes; they were super sharp and actionable.”
“Mary’s workshop was excellent. She not only clearly communicated the core ideas of the workshop, but she also modeled them by fostering a supportive and thought-provoking environment. I would readily take another workshop with her because I learned things that enhanced my present understanding, and I also learned about my own blindspots, and that means I have an idea of which direction to go in order to continue growing as an instructor and community member. Thank you, Mary!”
“Mary is amazing, and led the audition workshop with clarity, empathy, and genuine insight and knowledge. There was never a time I felt confused or lost in what we wee doing and more importantly the why behind it. I felt supported and empowered to carry the work beyond the workshop. I was witness to two other individuals who took the workshop using what we learned and carrying the confidence the very next day. I can openly state that I will sign up enthusiastically for any event in the future where Mary is the lead.”
“Mary’s workshop was incredible. I highly recommend it for everyone. Whether you are wanting to learn how to better navigate in improv, or even difficult moments in life, this workshop dove deep and was really fun! People brought their full selves and perspectives and we workshopped navigating moments. I took a lot from this workshop that will help me in teaching improv and in having important conversations with my improv teams. Thank you Mary!”
“I learned a lot from Mary! Her coaching style really meshed well with the way I understand and approach improvisation. Immediate adjustments to scenes helped us overcome some of the typical hurdles of early improv work and focus on the skills that mattered. In the past, I found I was unable to access higher levels of technique because there wasn’t enough structure or coaching in the moment. In Mary’s class, this was avoided with careful guidance and an emphasis on technique. By breaking down the larger concepts of improv into smaller exercises and providing space for repetition and questions, I was able to identify areas where I was struggling and received direct help addressing those issues. I was also given the tools needed to make a change. I thoroughly enjoyed the class and its style.”
“Had a great time! I did not expect to get all that profesh experience””
“It was an honor to take a class taught by Mary Parker. She holds such wisdom and grace and it was lovely to watch how she worked with the class. And how she facilitated discussions dealing with sensitive or awkward moments in improv. She created a space where we felt safe and heard. This built a trusting environment where we could all play and share at the best of our intelligence while being supportive of each other. This is such a gift in this artform. And any improv community will only benefit from doing work like this with Mary.”