We’re Just Getting Warmed Up with Jim Ansaldo, S01 Ep06
Guest: Jim Ansaldo (educator, improviser, Camp Yes And) — “Playfulness, Permission, and Learning From Mistakes”
Improviser and educator Jim Ansaldo joins Drew to explore how improv tools create the conditions for real learning—on stage, in classrooms, and in everyday life. They unpack why playfulness is a signal of safety, how to “engineer” mistakes on purpose, and what it means for a group to dysregulate and then re-regulate together. Jim shares practical warm-ups (like Move/Stop) and the core improv habits—listening, accepting, supporting, taking risks, and letting go of mistakes—then connects them to team meetings, PD, and inclusive classrooms. Along the way: a quick history detour to Viola Spolin and Second City, sanctioned mischief at Camp Yes And, the power of contracting and consent, and why warming up yourself (arriving, scanning the room, getting grounded) changes how the whole group shows up. And these are only some of the great nuggets!
Jim Ansaldo is the creator of Camp Yes And and a longtime educator who blends applied improvisation with teacher learning and inclusive practices for neurodivergent students. His work gives educators hands-on facilitation reps with students, closing the gap between PD theory and classroom reality. Find Jim via:
Suggestions for future guests or fields? Comment, email drewschrader [at] gmail [dot] com, or join the Substack for deeper dives and warm-up experiments.
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Host: Drew Schrader
Guest: Jim Ansaldo
Producer: Margie Schrader, who apologizes for the choppiness you can hear - we're working on it!
Improv, applied improvisation, education, teacher PD, psychological safety, dysregulation/re-regulation, sanctioned mischief, Camp Yes And, neurodiversity, inclusion, Viola Spolin, Second City, warm-ups, yes-and, contracting, consent, Move/Stop game, learning design, professional development, classroom culture
