Advanced Applied Improvisation Course | Vancouver Island
31 May - 4 June 2026
welcome
Are you a coach, trainer, HR manager, L&D specialist or group facilitator?
Are you interested in, or already familiar with the value and power of Applied Improvisation in daily life and work and now want to take it to the next level?
Do you want to stay ahead in leadership styles, training design, delivery and evaluation?
Then the Advanced Applied Improvisation Training is for you - designed for professionals who are ready to expand their skillset, confidence, and number of clients.
“I’ve been an Applied Improv trainer for 30 years, and this was the best training I ever had”
“Best professional development I’ve ever taken.”
In this program, you will:
Learn why already half of the top MBA schools in the world are actively teaching applied improv
Strengthen your connection and observation skills, as well as your flexibility and likability as a group leader
Learn how to use playfulness and spontaneity as a way to make stronger connections with your teams
Learn how to articulate the value of improv to clients and stakeholders with more clarity and confidence
Integrate 120+ 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
Design and pursue your own learning goals, tailored to your unique work context
Foster deep, generative connections with a group of thoughtful, curious, and generous practitioners
Co-create learning with global facilitators and experienced peers from across Australia, Aotearoa New Zealand, and beyond
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)
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 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 teaches at Stanford University and is a trained mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) instructor. He 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)
Awesome support team!
Here, we talk about Kirsten, Brett and Avril. If they want us to! Please let me know what text you’d like to have here.
Traditionally, we have invited outstanding guest facilitators to offer further perspective, insight, and experience. Previous guest facilitators have included Patricia Ryan Madson, Denise Jacobs, Nancee Moes and Paul Z Jackson. More coming soon!
“Both inspiring and humbling. Raymond and Ted are the real deal - skilled, authentic, and generous with their expertise.”
✅ What’s included:
4,5 days of expert facilitation
A gorgeous learning environment
All lunches and snacks (drinks available for purchase)
A thoughtful, experienced support team (that's us!)
All materials and facilitation
🌾 Investment (CA$)
Very Early Bird by 31 January 2026: $xxx
Early Bird by 31 March 2026: $xxx
Regular: $xxx
If you join with a friend we can offer $100 off, reach out to us for the other possible discounts!
“Four days that change your professional life. Deep insights, powerful practice and real time feedback. Tons of motivation and inspiration.”
Your investment includes:
Full course tuition
All meals and snacks during the course
Accommodation
All course materials
Drinks in the evening are not included in the course price.
📍 Location
We’ll be gathering at the beautiful Pearson College - a pleasant and unique venue right at Pedder Bay we’ve been able to book!
🛏 accommodation
Guests will stay in single private bedrooms with shared semi-private bathrooms (individual stalls for showers).
📅 Dates:
Arrival: Sunday 31 May: check-in from 4pm
Course runs: Sunday evening through Thursday evening
Departure: Friday morning 5 June
“This Applied Improv course with Ted and Raymond was one of the most immersive and inspiring workshops I’ve ever attended.”
🚀 ready?
Join us for a fun-filled, impactful, and deeply engaging week at Vancouver Island, Canada
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 Sunday evening we’ll start with dinner and some introductory warming up-activities.
“Ted and Raymond have crafted a learning experience I’ll never forget. The perfect blend of theory, practice, play and deep connection within our learning cohort.”
After your registration we will provide you with more practical details and travel and accommodation options.
“I’m going on 20+ years as a facilitator and I was gobsmacked by how powerful the learnings were in this course.”
