I started doing improv in 2016 to help with performance anxiety and ended up falling in love with it! I’ve met so many wonderful people through improv, from my first house team Abra Cadaver to classmates at Bad Dog Theatre, and eventually leading me to an incredible adventure working as a Guest Artist on the MSC Meraviglia, sailing around North America and the Caribbean.

I have coached improv and acting with The Assembly, St. John’s Improv, The Bishop Strachan School and The National Ballet School of Canada and love helping people embrace presence and play. I’m currently working remotely with Sunday Morning Improv in Toronto, an awesome team who have a monthly Armando show at the Social Capital Theatre.

I write and direct sketch comedy as well and have had the pleasure of working with The Diddlin’ Bibbles many times, including a Patrons Pick Toronto Fringe Festival show, three Toronto Sketch Comedy Festival Shows and Double Bangers at The Assembly Theatre. I co-wrote with Lesley Robertson a one-woman show called Birdie, which debuted at The Toronto Sketch Comedy Festival in 2023.

FIRST BEATS: DUO SCENE WORKSHOP

FACILITATOR: DANA PUDDICOMBE

This approach to strengthening First Beats is all about clear communication and honouring agreements. Connect with your partner, take the pressure off your initiations and build a great scene together in the moment (and out of your head!). We will explore initiations, world building and identifying games (there isn’t just one), celebrating justification to provide context and connection in your scene. From these first beat scenes, we will practice identifying themes and generating second beat inspirations.

I have taught this workshop across the country, from east (St. John’s Improv) to west (The Vancouver Improv Festival) and in between (The Assembly). This workshop is formulated to play with 8 - 12 improvisors and can be catered to the time, experience level and needs of your group.

Some recent feedback from students of First Beats: Duo Scene Workshop:

“I am sincere when I say I learned more in those 2.5 hours we shared than I have in many other workshops and classes combined. Thanks for being so supportive of our superpowers and challenging us to step outside our comfort zones. Really hope to see you again in some part of Canada!”

“I had a great time in your workshop- I already took your version of Threads to our class on Wednesday and folks had a fun time with it. You have an awesome teaching style, appreciate the feedback you gave all of us.”