Audra Stephenson joined Peak Improv Theater to work on social anxiety and boost her communication skills. She never expected improv to help her find her voice at work, ease perfectionism, and start killing shame. In this candid conversation, Audra shares how performance anxiety gave way to joy, laughter, and real community.

I’m more confident than I think I am. I’ve spent the majority of my life second guessing everything. But then, when you are in an environment and a situation like improv, where you don't really get a chance to second guess, you just have to roll with something. It's definitely given me more confidence in my own ideas.

“My stage fright went away as soon as I was up on stage. I didn't feel so much social anxiety because I was just looking around at so many people who were having fun and enjoying what they were doing—and I didn’t feel judged. I got on stage and thought, ‘Oh yeah. I actually really like this.’ I didn’t have to worry about anything up there. I realized I am enough just doing what I’m doing. It was so eye-opening for me… I want to take more classes.”
—Cameron Sprague