How Improv Transformed Kylie’s Confidence | Neurodivergent-Friendly Improv at Peak Improv Theater
At Peak Improv Theater, courage comes in many forms—and sometimes, it looks like showing up for a class you’re not sure you can do. This PiT Profile features Kylie Walden, a writer, cozy-game enthusiast, and now a proud improv student and performer whose journey began with a leap straight out of her comfort zone. Kylie first joined Peak Improv to expand her social circle and challenge herself in a new way. What she discovered was something deeper: a community where she felt safe, supported, and seen the moment she stepped through the door.
She joined Gentle Improv hoping for a softer place to land—and found a community where her quirks, her quiet, and her courage all had room to breathe. Kylie’s journey is proof that improv can be gentle, accessible, and life-changing for neurodivergent creatives.
With a love for storytelling—fiction and nonfiction alike—Kylie explores the weird, tender, and wonderfully human corners of life in her writing. And in improv, she found a place where her creativity, introversion, and neurodivergence weren’t obstacles at all, but assets.
When Kylie Walden walked into her first Gentle Improv class at Peak Improv Theater, she didn’t expect to tear up before the warm-up even began. But sitting in that softly lit room, surrounded by strangers who felt strangely familiar, she realized: “This is a space of people fully like me.”
Kylie lives with AUDHD (autism + ADHD), and for most of her life she felt like she existed on the edges—watching other people connect while she lingered in the background. Improv flipped that. Through gentle exercises, slow-paced games, and supportive classmates, she learned to trust her voice, take up space, and let herself belong.
By the time she reached 101 and stepped onto the stage for her first performance, she had already transformed how she moves through the world. “If I did that, I can do anything,” she said.
In this PiT Profile, Kylie shares the journey of how improv helped her release perfectionism, quiet her inner critic, connect with others through laughter, and discover that she’s braver than she ever believed. Her story is a reminder that improv isn’t just for extroverts or performers—it's for anyone who wants to be more present, more connected, and more themselves.
PiT: Kylie, what first brought you to Peak Improv Theater?
Kylie: My sister actually took classes before me, so I had been going to her showcases for a while. It looked really fun, but I was nervous to try it myself. I live with autism and ADHD, and I didn’t know if 101 would be accessible for me. When I heard about Gentle Improv, it felt tailor-made. I signed up—and in that very first class, I teared up because I realized, “These are people like me.” I had never felt that before.
PiT: What made Gentle Improv feel different?
Kylie: The pace is slower, the lights are softer, and there’s absolutely no pressure. You can sit out of an exercise without feeling out of place. Meggan gently encourages you, but never pushes you to the point of discomfort. For someone who gets overwhelmed easily, that environment felt life-changing.
PiT: How did you know you were ready for 101?
Kylie: After two semesters of Gentle Improv, I felt my confidence growing. So I took the leap into 101, and it was one of the best decisions I’ve made. And doing the showcase? That was huge. I was terrified, but afterward I thought, “If I did that, I can do anything.”
PiT: What surprised you most about improv?
Kylie: How much it helped my day-to-day life. I used to overthink everything—including conversations. Now I actively listen instead of planning my responses in advance. I’ve also learned to quiet my inner critic. In one 101 class, I told myself, “She’s going in the closet today,” and it worked. I was present, relaxed, and so much happier.
PiT: How has improv changed how you see yourself?
Kylie: I’m braver than I thought. I used to let fear stop me from doing small things—even making a phone call. Now I remind myself, “You do improv. You can handle a phone call.” I’m also learning to trust my first instincts instead of filtering everything I say. Improv showed me that my voice has value.
PiT: What about community—has improv helped you find that?
Kylie: Absolutely. I’ve made friends I still talk to from Gentle Improv. Seeing classmates again in other levels feels like reconnecting with teammates. I used to feel like I lived on the outskirts of things. Now I feel like I belong.
PiT: What would you say to someone who’s neurodivergent or nervous to try improv?
Kylie: Improv is for us. It’s for anyone who feels quirky or shy or unsure where they fit. It doesn’t have to be scary. It can be tailored to you. And what you’ll gain—confidence, community, self-love—is worth every uncomfortable moment along the way.
Kylie’s story is one of courage, curiosity, and the quiet strength of saying yes to yourself. If her journey moved you, you’ll love the full conversation.
Watch the complete interview on our YouTube channel, where Kylie dives deeper into belonging, neurodivergence, bravery, and how improv helped her rewrite the way she moves through the world.
And if you're wondering whether improv might be for you—Kylie's answer is clear:
“Improv is for us. Anyone can try it, and everyone should if they want to.”
