You Can’t Get What You Want Until You Know What You Want: Finding Desire to Drive Your Improv Scene – Diana Brown

You Can’t Get What You Want Until You Know What You Want: Discover the Desire That Drives Your Scene.

A strong character wants something, and that want is the engine of every scene. In this workshop, we’ll clarify what your character wants, why they want it, and let that desire drive every choice, every relationship and every moment. You’ll discover ways to:

• We’ll clarify what your character wants, why they want it, and let that desire drive every choice, every relationship and every moment.
• Create richer, more compelling interactions with scene partners.
• Discover how your character’s wants can reveal hidden emotions and drive story.

Whether you’re improvising comedy, drama, or anything in between, understanding your character’s core desires will make every scene more dynamic, surprising, and satisfying.

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.