Advanced Applied Improvisation Course | Vancouver Island
2-5 June 2026
welcome
Are you a coach, trainer, manager, L&D specialist or group facilitator?
Are you already familiar with, or are you curious about the value and power of Applied Improvisation and now want to take it to the next level?
Do you want to stay ahead in training design and delivery and handling group dynamics?
Then this Advanced Applied Improvisation Training is for you - designed for professionals who already value the impact of improvisation in their work and are ready to expand their skillset, confidence, and number of clients.
“Best professional development I’ve ever taken.”
In this program, you will:
Design and pursue your own learning goals, tailored to your unique work context
Articulate the value of improv to clients and stakeholders with more clarity and confidence
Integrate new ready-to-use exercises, tools, and activities into your facilitation repertoire with immediate impact
Cultivate a lasting, supportive cohort to exchange ideas with — during and after the intensive
Foster deep, generative connections with a group of thoughtful, curious, and generous practitioners
Co-create learning with global facilitators and experienced peers
Strengthen your presence, flexibility, and facilitation mindset through reflective practice and real-time feedback on your facilitation style
Marketing tips for your business to help you show the value and relevance of Applied Improvisation to your clients (using dedicated models directly related to Applied Improvisation, for example the PLAY! model and other useful frameworks)
“The Advanced Applied Improv workshop was exactly what I needed to level up my work. Being in a room with experienced AI facilitators I look up to and admire was both inspiring and humbling. Raymond and Ted are the real deal—skilled, authentic, and generous with their expertise.
This workshop struck the perfect balance of theory and practice, with facilitators modeling what “good” truly looks like in action. It wasn’t just about exercises—it was about understanding the deeper principles that make them impactful.
Flying across the world to attend was a significant investment, but one I’m confident will pay off. I left energized, equipped, and ready to apply what I learned in meaningful ways.
”
in this program, your facilitators will …
Dedicate themselves to your individual learning goals and work context
Help you to generate more work with Applied Improvisation training, with the use of easy concepts to explain the value of improv to your clients
Offer you a host of new ready-to-use activities, exercises and tools to level up your next sessions
Provide the opportunity for individual coaching after the course
LEAD facilitators
Raymond van Driel is a Dutch corporate trainer, keynote speaker, executive coach, author and academic teacher. He has been performing improv since 1994 and won the Dutch Improv Champion title four times. He started with corporate improvisation in 2000 and now delivers Training of Trainers and keynotes about Applied Improvisation and Playfulness worldwide.
From 2009 to 2011, Raymond hosted Applied Improvisation courses at Stockholm University where business students engaged with improvisation for 3 months, 20 hours a week.
In 2016, Raymond received a government grant to do a full year of Applied Improvisation with the faculty and students of Vlerick Business School in Brussels and St Petersburg.
From 2008-2018, Raymond was a Board Member of the global Applied Improvisation Network (AIN, 8700 members), serving as Board Secretary. He has delivered the introductory programs at five conferences. (LinkedIn profile).
Ted DesMaisons is a trained mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) instructor and has studied, taught, and performed improvisation internationally for over 35 years. He has worked intensively with world-renowned voice and presence coach Patsy Rodenburg. He is also the author of Playful Mindfulness and co-host of the popular Monster Baby Podcast (“a curious romp through the worlds of mindfulness and improvisation”).
He served on the board of BATS Improv in San Francisco for six years and has led more than a dozen workshops for annual conferences of the global Applied Improvisation Network. DesMaisons received an MBA from Stanford (Creativity and Leadership) and an MTh from Harvard (Ritual, Education and Spirituality). He lives in California and now teaches through Stanford University’s Continuing Studies program. (LinkedIn profile)
EXAMPLE OF PREVIOUS guest facilitators
Traditionally, we have invited other outstanding guest facilitators to offer further perspective, insight, and experience. Previous guest facilitators have included Joshua Raoul Brody, Patricia Ryan Madson, Denise Jacobs, Nancee Moes and Paul Z Jackson. More to be announced soon!
“Raymond and Ted are kind, attentive, hilarious, calm, challenging, assured, confident and very passionate.
Working with them was an incredible opportunity and invaluable learning experience to improve ME, my skills; so that I can be more effective for myself, and for others. Outstanding workshop. Ever grateful to them!”
✅ What’s included:
4,5 days of expert facilitation
4 nights of accommodation
A gorgeous, nature-filled learning environment
All meals and snacks (drinks available for purchase)
A thoughtful, experienced support team (that's us!)
“
What a magical week. I can’t recommend Raymond and Ted’s training enough to anyone who uses or wants to use applied improvisation in their work. We had people from all fields in the cohort— education, science communication, keynote speaking, corporate and executive training, tech, and more—everyone was transformed. The week was highly interactive with each member of the cohort being exposed to rich feedback on their own work. Every day was chock-full of exercises and theory, but we had so much fun that the time passed as if we were children playing. Ted and Raymond had several surprises planned during the week that made the workshop extremely special and “next-level.” If even a part of you is considering taking this workshop—do it. ”
🌾 Investment
The all-inclusive tuition includes the course, 4 nights accommodation (Monday to Friday), all meals, materials and snacks.
Pick Your Price Point:
✨ Very Early Bird – XXXX
Deadline: 15 December 2025
→ For the planners, the preppers, and the early "heck yes!" folks
🐦 Early Bird – XXXX
Deadline: 15 January 2026
→ For the thoughtful yes-but-let-me-check-my-calendar crowd
👀 Regular – XXXX
→ For those who move at their own pace and make great decisions anyway
Your investment is XXXXX and includes:
Full course tuition
4 nights’ accommodation (Monday–Friday)
All meals and snacks during the course
All materials and facilitation
Drinks in the evening and an optional Friday night dinner are not included in the course price.
📍 Location
We’ll be gathering at the beautiful Vancouver Island, close to Vancouver — a unique venue on the wild southern tip of Vancouver Island, Pearson College rests where forest meets ocean. Here, time slows down — the air smells of cedar and salt, and the water mirrors the sky. It’s a place for reflection, connection, and fresh perspective.
Walk the forest trails, listen to the tide, and let the landscape invite you to pause, explore, and breathe again.
🛏 accommodation
Your course fee includes four nights of accommodation on-site, so you’ll be learning, connecting, laughing and reflecting together in a vibrant sunrise-to-lights-out mix of group experience and solo integration time.
📅 Dates: 2-5 june 2026 (arrive on june 1st)
Arrival: Monday (June 1st) check-in from 4pm, welcome dinner at 6:00pm
Course runs: Tuesday morning through Friday afternoon
🚀 ready?
Join us for a fun-filled, impactful, and deeply engaging week at Vancouver Island.
You’ll be part of an international cohort of motivated, curious, warm-hearted practitioners who value openness, spontaneity, and meaningful connection.
Whether you're looking to sharpen your skills, expand your network, or simply re-energize your practice — this is the space to do it.
Register or do let us know if you have any questions. Or register your interest so we can keep you informed!
On Monday we’ll start with a welcome dinner and some fun introductory warming up-activities at the course location.
After your registration we will provide you with more practical details and travel options.
