"Yes, And…" Improv for Faculty

Improv isn’t just fun—it has the potential to support mental health, build resilience, and enhance communication. In this interactive session designed specifically for faculty by faculty, you’ll experience the joy and benefits of improv and leave with tools you can use with your students.

Through playful, low-pressure activities, you’ll:

• Strengthen your own emotional agility, stress tolerance, and creative thinking
• Practice active listening, collaboration, and presence—skills that support both teaching and well-being
• Learn easy-to-implement improv exercises that foster trust, engagement, and psychological safety in the classroom
• Discover how improv can help students build confidence, think on their feet, and connect more deeply with course material

Whether you're looking to recharge personally or bring fresh energy to your teaching, this session offers a unique blend of self-care and student-centered strategies.

Come laugh, learn, and leave inspired—with science-backed skills for both you and your students.

Where to meet: The Lobby of the Drama Education Building at 109 Culbreth Road between 9:15 and 9:30 (the room is hard to find in the building!). There is is Park Mobile parking in the garage directing across the street from the Drama Education Building.

About the Instructors

Cady West Garey

 Cady Garey received her B.F.A. in Performance from the University of Florida followed by a M.F.A. in Acting from the University of Virginia.  She went on to work in Chicago where she focused on acting, new play development, and the study of improvisation. At UVA, Cady has spent the last 13 years loving every minute of teaching an introduction to Theatre course called How Theatre Works with students new to the tools, practices, and artistry of the form. As an expansion of her work teaching Acting in the UVA Department of Drama, Cady has become fascinated by the aspects of live, embodied performance inherent in speaking public.  She loves to work with people of all skill levels, from First Years to Faculty members. Her goal to help them become open, at ease, engaging, and present speakers.  Cady is proud to be the Faculty Advisor to the UVA Speaking Center, a student created and powered speaker coaching service on grounds. 

Adrienne Wood

Dr. Adrienne Wood is an associate professor of psychology at UVA. She earned her Ph.D. from the University of Wisconsin - Madison, and her research focuses on how people interact, connect, and build social networks. She teaches courses on social psychology and emotion. Outside the classroom, she hones her own conversational skills by performing improv comedy at venues around Charlottesville.