The Science of Improv | How Classes Build Confidence in Colorado Springs
Last week we explored why improv is more than comedy. This week, let’s look at what the research says—and hear from our students.
What the Science Says About Improv and Personal Development
It’s not just theater folks saying improv can change your life—the research backs it up. Over the past decade, studies have shown that improv helps adults become more confident, creative, and resilient.
Boosting Creativity and Resilience
A 2020 controlled study published in the Journal of Creativity in Mental Health found that adults who completed a six-week improv training program showed significant gains in creativity, self-esteem, self-efficacy, and resilience. Researchers suggest that improv works like a form of mindfulness: you practice staying present, letting go of judgment, and embracing uncertainty in a supportive environment.
Photo by Austin Chan on Unsplash
Reducing Anxiety and Building Self-Efficacy
Another study by Krueger, Murphy, and Bink (2017) reported that adults experienced reduced anxiety and depression symptoms after just four weeks of improv classes.
These findings echo what our students experience at Peak Improv Theater. As Faerret puts it, “I think I’m more present in everyday life now. I’m a better listener, and I’ve become more engaged with people on and off stage.” The science explains why: improv strengthens your ability to stay grounded, while real-life experience proves it’s a lasting skill.
Real Stories of Growth at Peak Improv Theater
Jennifer Caress, student at Peak Improv Theater, shares how improv became a form of therapy.
Finding Your Voice
For many adults, the hardest part is believing your ideas matter. Audra Stephenson remembers walking out of her very first class thinking, “That was uncomfortable in the exact way I needed to be made uncomfortable.” Improv helped her realize that her ideas weren’t something to hide—they were gifts worth sharing.
Discovering Confidence
Matt Watson signed up for improv to help with anxiety. What surprised him most wasn’t the comedy, but the confidence he found: “I’ve spent my life second guessing everything. In improv, you don’t have time to second guess—you just roll with it. It gave me confidence in my own ideas.”
Becoming Present in the Moment
For Jennifer Caress, improv became a form of therapy. It forced her out of her head and into the moment, where mistakes were welcomed and play was encouraged. That shift—learning to stay present and let go of perfectionism—helped her grow not just as a performer, but as a person.
These stories remind us that improv is less about being funny and more about being free: free to trust your instincts, free to let go of fear, and free to discover the best version of yourself.
Next week, we’ll dive into the core principles of improv and why adults keep coming back to Peak Improv Theater.
Ready to Experience Improv in Colorado Springs?
From laughter, play, and saying “yes” to the unexpected, improv offers adults a chance to build confidence, practice presence, and connect with a community that celebrates mistakes as much as successes.
If you’re ready to see what improv can do for you, join us at Peak Improv Theater in Colorado Springs. Start with Improv 101, where you’ll learn the fundamentals in a supportive, welcoming environment. Or, if you’re looking to keep the fun going, step into our Evergreen Workshops, where new games and fresh challenges keep you learning week after week.
No matter where you begin, improv gives you tools that last a lifetime: resilience, creativity, connection—and plenty of laughter along the way.
Peak Improv Theater in Colorado Springs offers Improv 101 and Evergreen classes for adults.
