Nick Johne is a beloved Canadian actor and improviser. We first met in 2017 at the Chicago “Yes, and Mental Health & Improv Conference” and did a podcast in 2018.
After getting a degree in Microbiology he began his improv journey in Toronto and joined the Toronto Second City Troupe in 1991. He moved to Chicago to Second City Chicago where he taught and also in the Theater Department of DePaul University. He developed the Improv Anxiety classes at Second City. He has a daughter who is neurodiverse and that inspired him to develop a teach Improv for ASD. He is a “stay at home” and “chauffeur” for his daughter, Emma, a gifted vocalist. He and Second City faculty Lisa Bany, will return to the Orlando Center for Autism this year to teach Improv for Students on the Autism Spectrum.
After working as a clinical social worker for over 30 years, I discovered the joy of Improvisational Theatre Games. Before that I presented classes and workshops on "The Healing Power of Laughter and Play" throughout the US and abroad. Since the 1970's I was trained as a New Games Referee from the New Games Foundation. But when I had my first class in improv I realized how therapeutic it is and began using improv in my clinical practice and special groups such as Improv for Anxiety and Improv for people with Parkinson's disease. In addition, I created class for several National Association for Social Workers (NASW) conference such as Fl. NASW, NJ NASW, OK NASW and corporations. There is viable research showing that improv helps with cognitive functioning, memory, decrease of anxiety and socialization. I'm delighted to teach folks of all ages this wonderful way to chase the blues away!
