Where We Are Changes Who We Are – Diana Brown
Where We Are Changes Who We Are
In improvisation, location isn’t just backdrop, it shapes behavior, status, emotion, and story. The space we inhabit determines who we become.
This workshop trains players to make environments immediate, legible, and theatrically alive.
In this workshop, you will:
-Connect environment directly to emotional behavior and character choices
-Practice stating the obvious boldly and efficiently
-Treat location as a playable partner — something that affects, resists, and responds
Students will learn how to let setting generate tension, deepen relationships, and clarify stakes. Rather than adding exposition, we’ll explore how physical behavior, spatial awareness, and environmental specificity do the storytelling for us.
This workshop is ideal for improvisers who want stronger openings, richer theatricality, and scenes that feel grounded from the first moment.
Improv Experience: All levels welcome, some experience helpful.
About Diana Brown
Diana Brown is an improv artist, actor, director, speaker, and communication coach whose work bridges theatrical performance and real-world leadership. Known for emotionally grounded, character-driven, genre-inspired improvisation.
Named one of The Improv Boost’s 2025 Sudden Impact Teachers and voted Most Valuable Mentor and Teacher at the San Francisco Improv Festival, Diana performs, teaches and directs internationally. Her work has been featured at Improv Fest Ireland, Impro Amsterdam, Liverpool Improvisation Festival, Vancouver Improv Festival, Belfast Improv Festival, SF Sketchfest, SF Improv Fest, SAVI Fest, Gather Fest, Camp Improv Utopia, Countdown Improv Festival, Uptown Improv Festival, and festivals across North America and Europe. She recently co-directed and appeared in Mark Smith’s international ensemble Taxi Tales at Impro Amsterdam 2026 and directed the international ensemble at Improv Fest Ireland 2026.
Diana leads the Advanced Improv Performance Lab at Berkeley Repertory Theatre’s School of Theatre and teaches with BATS Improv, All Out Comedy Theatre and Leela Improv San Francisco. She also coaches founders, leaders, artists, and professionals in high-impact communication.
As a performer, Diana appears with The Oracle, But Of Mind, Bingewatch, Serious Kicks, Fleeting Reminiscence, Gamesome Frolic, Slumber Party, Time Piece, The Heartbreakers, and Collective Audacity other original ensemble projects exploring theatrical improvisation, character, and genre.
Diana is currently in development on Dial Up Diana, a completely participatory, unscripted theatrical experience. Conceived and directed by Mark Smith, performed by Diana Brown and Lindsey McGowen, with design by Kai Jones. Built around live audience interaction and spontaneous storytelling, the project continues her exploration of theatrical form, character, and human connection.
Diana’s work is guided by one belief: every person is infinitely more interesting than they realize, and remarkable performance begins by uncovering what makes them unforgettable.