Team Communication, Entertainment, Talent Collaboration!
The Alchemy Comedy Theater is not only committed to weekly shows in downtown Greenville, but also to having fun at work by spreading the practical benefits of active listening, support, and laughter in improv comedy. As a local theater, small business, and active member of Greenville business community, we offer a variety of workshops and shows that can all be tailored to your needs.
Group Workshops: Whether it’s for a business or a birthday party, have our training center instructors work on everything from team building, active listening, creative thinking, and branding. The applications of improvisational comedy are endless. Let us know how we can help you accomplish your goals. Here's an example of a specialty workshop we created for caretakers and another for high school students. See our testimonials below from dozens of companies large and small.
Private Shows: Speciality performances can be done at our downtown theater or delivered to any location. We'll create a fully improvised show inspired by your input and the audiences suggestions. If you want, we can even get some of your bravest on stage with us! Here’s an example of a specialized show we did for TEDx Greenville.
Performing Talent: We also have a diverse group of performers ready to help you create your project. Our company has over 80 players who can act, write, photograph, and of course improvise. Here’s an example of a corporate training video and a counseling conflict video we helped write and act in.
*Package pricing varies based on needs so please contact us online or by phone at 864-256-1467 to see how we can help you accomplish YOUR goals.
Don't just take our word for it...
read testimonials from dozens of organizations who are already glad they did:
We really enjoyed having you and the team got some great takeaways. Our post-class survey results are coming in, and your section was an absolute win – both for the entertainment factor and for what people will use coming out of it. Here are excerpts of the main points of positive feedback we have received (there were many more!): "Provided insight and perspective that was totally new", "The experience showed me how to embrace an idea versus my tendency to shut down ideas", "Many great take-aways and definitely helped to break down some barriers and build connections. I love the yes, and... will have a great impact on keeping things positive without letting things get out of control.", "The relevance to leadership and his way of tying everything that was discussed to leadership was impressive.", “Harrison is awesome”
Kathleen V. (Organization & Talent Development for GE Power)
| We really enjoyed our time last Friday. In fact, I wished I had videoed it as there were several points you made that could be immediately utilized in our initiatives. I think the workshop provided a great way to get out of our comfort zone, while also being very low risk (i.e. lines of improv instead of scenes, and "Thanks for failing!"). All in all an afternoon well spent. I look forward to opportunities to work with you in the future. Brett O. (Customer Lab at Michelin Automotive) |
The experience was AMAZING! Team member Susan expressed our collective excitement when she shared this morning: “The party was super!! Building ideas through ‘Yes And,’ using the collaborative to create better content, being bold, telling a story together, jumping in to rescue your partners, connecting improvisational comedy to business and to TEDx; wow!” Lisa C. (TEDx Greenville) |
Harrison Brookie of Alchemy Theater Company in Greenville presented at 2.5 hour workshop for about 20 caregivers who take care of persons living with dementia. The improv skills like “yes, and..” and taking cues from the person you’re listening to are especially helpful for these caregivers because their loved ones are often experiencing a different reality. Harrison’s warm up exercises and his frequent use of praise quickly made the group (who did not all previously know each other) loosen up and feel comfortable. They quickly engaged in improv exercises and sharing about their own struggles (e.g. how to handle blame, impatience, or inability to see things from the caregiver’s perspective). Harrison used excellent stories and analogies which helped the caregivers re-frame their role. I especially like how he compared the caregivers to the moon traveling around the earth (meaning they have to adapt their loved one’s direction and reality). It was heartening to see how even the most discouraged or least flexible caregivers seemed to be willing to try new things. Most went home with a new perspective and a willingness to trying to go with the flow more often in their relationship with their loved one with dementia.
Eunice L. (Prisma Health Oconee Memorial Hospital)
| Thank you for entertaining us during our annual emergency team banquet. Everyone I talked with enjoyed you and the skits you played out. I think the audience interaction games were the most enjoyable to everyone, especially the one with one of the MET members acting out two different scenarios with you and Meg. Great Job – I’m amazed how quickly you are able to think on your feet. Thomas K. (Michelin Automotive) |
Thank you for leading such an awesome session on Thursday evening. It definitely accomplished my objective of getting people loose and comfortable with their groups and feeling okay making a fool of themselves. I’ve heard great feedback from folks already and the cateres kept saying, “This is the most fun event we’ve worked. Harrison was so funny.” Thanks for getting everything together on such short notice. Kelly B. (Greenville Chamber, PULSE) |
The workshop Alchemy did for us really got us off to a great start for the new year. Prior to this workshop, our team was already pretty comfortable with each other, but the idea of getting up and performing in front of our peers was enough to get some nerves going. But our teams calmed down right away once because of the fun games and the instructor’s calm demeanor. We really focused on the ideas of “Yes and” and creating an environment where many people could share in telling the same story. These ideas are super important to our team because we are very focused on brand marketing and to have all of us creating something new together could not have been more beneficial. I think everyone was surprised by how creative they could be without any kind of preplanning or script! Positive feedback across the board. We can’t wait to have another workshop with you guys!
Lindsay H. (Techtronic Industries Power Equipment)
| Thanks for an amazing training session. Everything about the session was comfortable and fun. The team building exercises were helpful in integrating our new teachers. The biggest takeaway is... "work through uncomfortable situations". And..."There's No wrong answer". We also were able to get an appreciation for what our students feel like when they Perform or Speak to Peers and Pros. Rick S. (Principal, NEXT High School) |
Alchemy Improv is a great way to break the ice on getting your middle school kids interested in acting and the performance aspects of English-Language Arts. The teaching artists made improv comedy fun and accessible for even the most reluctant students, and my students loved having the opportunity to learn from the best improv group in town. We will definitely use them again. Jennifer J. (Sterling Middle School) |
Met with our team for a two hour session focused around “Yes, And” (the idea that the more we say yes, the more opportunities we create for ourselves, both in a business sense & in improv). They took us through multiple warm up exercises & then split us in to two groups for a more focused, hands-on lesson in improv. In the beginning, we felt a little uncomfortable & awkward performing in front of our teammates, but with a little practice & the help of our teachers, we were able to learn & laugh at ourselves by the end of the session. I would highly recommend working with the Alchemy Comedy Theater for a fun, interactive team-building session!
Heather G. (Intercontinental Hotels Group)
| Feedback has been off the charts! You da man! Can’t thank you enough for joining us and we’d love to have you back for future events. Keep up the good work. Tripp J. (Chamber of Commerce, Nonprofit Alliance) |
I heard lots of positive comments about yesterday. People enjoyed the experience and took away something to use in their on-the-job daily doings. John B. (Brains on Fire Advertising) |
Our staff of 60 attended an Alchemy Improv workshop for a fun staff development event. While our roles vary, many of the staff work directly with the public, and several others have to market and promote our services. We are all in “public speaking” capacities at some point or another. The workshop was an excellent way for us to gain more confidence in that role. We also really honed in on the mantra of creating a “Yes environment”, and have had further discussion of the importance of YES in service roles. Overall, the players were engaging, enthusiastic, and entirely entertaining. In a world of team building through ropes courses and bowling, this was a new and fun way to enjoy our colleagues. We have really gotten such great feedback from the team – there is NOT ONE person that complained (we have at least one every time, so you guys are leaps and bounds above the other activities we’ve done).
Melanie G. (Goodwill)
| Alchemy Comedy was the perfect addition to our client appreciation event! We loved the variations of games that the troupe played and that they got our clients involved with the show! The positive feedback continues to pour in from our event’s guests. Chelsea A. (Ballentine Capital Advisors) |
On behalf of the Greenville County Museum of Art, I would like to thank the team from Alchemy Comedy Theater for participating in our Sunday at 2 series on March 2, 2014. This weekly program was developed to help museum visitors make connections to the visual arts, but also consider how the performing arts can enhance the museum experience. In particular, we invited Alchemy to join us to explore the process of improvisation, and consider how creativity and collaboration bring ideas together to create something original. We would welcome the opportunity to have you back again. Ellen W. (Greenville County Museum of Art) |
Blumenthal hired Harrison Brookie to teach an advanced level improv workshop for experienced improvisers. Harrison was able to connect with the class participants and challenged their technique in developing a scene with constructive criticism and positive reinforcement.
Jenny K. (Blumenthal Performing Arts Center)
This workshop brought our staff and faculty together in a whole new way. Through interaction, play, and humor we connected to new, shared understanding and experiences. The listening exercises along with the "Yes, and..." mindset have real staying power, too. Feedback from faculty and staff on the day and in a followup evaluation form was overwhelmingly positive and appreciative, We want more!
Dr. Thomas (Dean of the Governor's School for the Arts and Humanities)
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We did a 3 hour beginner improv workshop with our corporate group, and it was a major highlight of the week. Multiple people have already asked if we'll be doing it again next year! We saw coworkers who live inside of their shell come out of it in front of everyone with guidance from Harrison, laughing the whole time. 6/5 stars from us.
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Thank you for an energetic and entertaining afternoon. The team is still talking about you and the activities – and, most importantly, using the premise of yes, and. This workshop was perfect for our group – it was a great way to end the year and to set us up for success in 2019. We had a great experience and I appreciate how comfortable you made everyone feel – not all of our team likes to be in the spotlight. I’m looking forward to the next time! |
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Our team had a great time at the workshop with Harrison at Alchemy. We went as part of our team fun day, and some of us didn't know what to expect. He did an amazing job helping us all feel comfortable with simple warm-up exercises and his overall fun and encouraging demeanor. In addition to having a ton of fun and making some great memories, we learned a lot about leadership and communication that will help us be more effective moving forward. I would definitely recommend this experience for other groups and teams! |
Show up to a session with your “A-Game” – even if you’re having a Paul C. (Wilson Growth Partners) |
The workshop Harrison led helped students learn more about the strengths they bring to their experiences in college. He showed them the power of taking risks, embracing failure, and celebrating great moments with one another. He has a special talent for making the workshop relevant to any audience so that they walk away with a deeper understanding of themselves and the context where they are working or learning. |
Don't just take their word for it...
Read articles from news organizations who are raving about the benefits of improv comedy:
Wall Street Journal: What Startups Can Learn From Improv Comedy
CNN: Why using improvisation to teach business skills is no joke
Harvard Business Review: 3 Improv Exercises That Can Change the Way Your Team Works
Washington Post: How to not offend your co-workers and lose your job
Forbes: Why Improv Training Is Great Business Training
Inc: Want to Be More Creative? Think on Your Feet
Fast Company: Why Top Companies And MBA Programs Are Teaching Improv
Entrepreneur: I Took an Improv Training Course -- and It Changed How I Brainstorm
Financial Management: How an improv class can help develop essential business skills