Improv Unleashed

01/15/2026

A great morning guiding students through an Improv for Teamwork & Communication session today at a local high school.

Improv helps students build strong teamwork by teaching them to listen actively, support one another’s ideas, and collaborate in real time toward a shared goal. It strengthens communication skills by encouraging clear expression, adaptability, and confidence when speaking in front of others. Through playful practice, students learn how to navigate differences, respond thoughtfully, and contribute meaningfully within a group and let’s not forget how much fun it is!

12/18/2025

There are many exercises in Improv training that require non-verbal communication. Partners and teams reading each other’s body movements to collaborate and fulfill the exercise.

As much as i love my words, i love a non-verbal exercise because it strips away some cultural differences, language and expression and creates a way to communicate beyond words.

This is something i see in new york A LOT. Today, a young mom started to lose control of her baby stroller and five people without talking, barely a glance (mid-stair climb ) held the mom steady while four others held the stroller bringing her to safety. A nod, a look, a smile and the five disappeared into the subterranean multitudes.

No one gasped, clutching their pearls and said,” oh my what do we do?”

It was no-nonsense, business as usual- do what must be done.

I first started traveling on the subway at the age of 13, taking three trains to Lincoln Center to get to La Guardia HS of the Arts. I’ve seen practically everything and ive been helped by strangers as well as helped. I know theres the rare news were a crime occurred and no one helped… after over 30 yrs on the subway that more often than not- we help.

My phone slipped under the chair behind me on the Amtrak and the woman next to me automatically turned on her phone flashlight. I said outloud,” oh no my phone.” The guy behind me reached under and grabbed it quickly. Smiles all around.

You maybe thinking “yeah, whatever, thats normal.” Is it? I hope so. I hope we continue caring about each other and jumping in to help when we can. I’ve experienced blackouts, hurricanes, 9/11 and more in NYC- and the people never fail to amaze me. Our world seriously needs our kindness. 🙏🏽💛

Mucho amor,
Vanessa

12/17/2025

Last week was Improv for Teamwork & Communication with NYC teens, this week it’s Mindfulness for Focus, Calm and Confidence. 🧘🏽‍♂️

Maybe not as fun as improv- and even more important as it supports awareness of the moment without judgement and gives us tools to choose how we respond in many situations as well as help us remain grounded even with all the challenges life offers us.

12/09/2025

I don’t like early mornings especially when they follow restless nights except for when I am getting up to do something I love ♥️ I know its about 17 degrees in NYC and I don’t care, I’m going home to work with teens in the public school system and I can’t wait!

12/01/2025

In this YouTube Exclusive video, Vanessa Codorniu returns to Cafe Con Pam to discuss her unique journey blending spirituality, improv, and community impact. Pam digs into Vanessa’s evolution as a spiritual leader, performer, and legacy builder.

What you'll learn in this video:

* How improv became a surprising tool for Vanessa’s personal growth and building diverse communities

* The challenges and rewards of balancing a thriving spiritual business with creative pursuits

* The importance of patience, perseverance, and craftsmanship in both healing work and the arts

* Insights on creating legacy and impact beyond business and online presence

* Vanessa’s experience launching her one-woman show and reclaiming family and cultural narratives

Don’t miss practical lessons and honest reflections at the intersection of spirituality, creativity, and leadership.

In this YouTube Exclusive video, Vanessa Codorniu returns to Cafe Con Pam to discuss her unique journey blending spirituality, improv, and community impact. ...

11/19/2025

Excited to share this conversation!

Improv and Spirituality: Build Community and Reclaim Joy with Vanessa Codorniu

YouTube Exclusive
Nov 19, Written By Marina Linardi

In this YouTube Exclusive video, Vanessa Codorniu returns to
Café con Pam Podcast to discuss her unique journey blending spirituality, improv, and community impact. Pam digs into Vanessa’s evolution as a spiritual leader, performer, and legacy builder.

Tune in here!
https://www.cafeconpam.com/youtube/vanessa-codorniu

10/19/2025

This past Friday, I had the joy of serving as Co-Mistress of Ceremonies for the Hispanic Heritage Month celebration at the Civic Club of Harrisburg

In addition to honoring our heritage and community, I guided the audience through applied improv games moments of laughter, reflection, and connection that reminded us how creativity can bridge generations, languages, and lived experiences.

So, what is applied improv?

It’s the art of bringing the principles of improvisation: yes, and, presence, collaboration, and trust into everyday spaces like workplaces, classrooms, and community gatherings.

Benefits of Applied Improv:

* Builds instant connection and a sense of belonging

* Sparks creativity and adaptability

* Encourages listening and empathy

* Turns nervous energy into laughter and teamwork

It was beautiful to witness people relax, open up, and celebrate together not just through words or performances, but through shared joy and spontaneous creativity.

Thank you to everyone who showed up with open hearts and a willingness to play!

10/19/2025

Grateful to Celebrate & Connect Through Play! ✨

This past Friday, I had the joy of serving as Co-Mistress of Ceremonies for the Hispanic Heritage Month representing creativas in a celebration at the Civics Club!

In addition to honoring our heritage and community, I guided the audience through applied improv games — moments of laughter, reflection, and connection that reminded us how creativity can bridge generations, languages, and lived experiences.

So, what is applied improv?
It’s the art of bringing the principles of improvisation—yes, and, presence, collaboration, and trust into everyday spaces like workplaces, classrooms, and community gatherings.

Benefits of Applied Improv:

* Builds instant connection and a sense of belonging

* Sparks creativity and adaptability

* Encourages listening and empathy

Turns nervous energy into laughter and teamwork

It was beautiful to witness people relax, open up, and celebrate together not just through words or performances, but through shared joy and spontaneous creativity.

Thank you to everyone who showed up with open hearts and a willingness to play!

10/18/2025

Deeply grateful for the chance to co-host with Leslie Avila representing Raíces Creativas at the LatinX Heritage Month Civics Club celebration with the Arts council!

You know I brought Applied Improv to the festivities !!!🥳 nothing like some improv to connect us all!

What an honor to meet Olga Negron and the incredible artists that shared their passion and talents tonight!

Thank you Reina 76 Artist! And to the Civics Club President Contrena Baltimore ♥️

10/15/2025

Applied Improv takes the tools of improvisational theatre: listening, collaboration, adaptability, and play and brings them into real life.

Through games and exercises, participants learn to think on their feet, communicate clearly, and respond with empathy instead of reactivity.

* For organizations, it builds creative problem-solving and trust.
* For teams, it strengthens communication and resilience under pressure.
* For youth groups, it nurtures confidence, self-expression, and belonging.

At the heart of improv is the principle of “Yes, and…”, the practice of accepting what’s offered and building on it. In workplaces and classrooms, “Yes, and” helps people move from judgment to curiosity, from competition to collaboration.

It’s a simple idea with powerful results: when we say “yes, and,” we create a culture of inclusion, innovation, and shared possibility.

If you would like to explore this for your organization, company, school or family, let's connect!

10/14/2025

Improv can be there for us during the good and bad times and how we deal with the stress of the unknown matters ✨

Improv, like life, throws us curveballs and makes us dance with the unknown—ready or not. That’s one of the reasons I love it. Improv invites us to take risks, try new things, and step into the world of make-believe, where “YES, AND” makes anything possible.

When we step outside of our routines and beyond our expertise, we open a doorway. Sometimes that doorway feels like pure joy and adventure. Other times, it grates on our nerves because let’s face it, we’ve all developed our own life perspectives and patterns for navigating the world. Exploring characters in improv, and saying “YES, AND” when you normally would never say yes, can feel exhilarating for some and deeply uncomfortable for others. Neither is right or wrong—it just is.

And here’s the twist: improv isn’t linear. You might be a trickster in everyday life, the kind of person who loves improv from the start, and then years in, suddenly feel blocked or challenged by a situation in your life, a particular coaching style, a new team, or even one specific teammate.

I remember returning to improv after the pandemic and losing my mom, dad and youngest brother, part of me wondered if I deserved to laugh or be funny. Improv didn't feel fun and I just hung on believing that someday my light-hearted energy would return- and it did. It took months though!

Improv doesn’t just test our performance chops; it mirrors back our patterns, our habits, and our growth edges. If we can be patient with ourselves and others, we will also grow our own resilience and adaptability.

Read more: https://improv-unleashed.com/blog/f/letting-go-showing-up-growing-stronger-with-improv

10/03/2025

Thanks to all the folks who have supported Hispanic Heritage Month with Raices Creativas Collective and to those who have watched, shouted us out, written stories and interviewed us on TV and invited LoS CoMpLiCaDoS to perform like the LHACC Hispanic Heritage Festival and Penn State University!

We are performing next
Thursday, 7:30 pm at Penn State University!

Short form!
Longform and lots of laughs!

Please RSVP on the link below!

https://discovereast.psu.edu/event/11650251