Improv Student Testimonials
Business Workshop Testimonials
“Philip joined our Google team for an afternoon activity. Call it 'team building', 'having fun', 'introduction to improv', or all of the above: we got it. Working with a group of Google engineers, in a middle-of-the-day improv/fun/team activity is a great challenge - and Philip was able to meet and exceed our expectations. The activity was fun, engaging, made us feel good, laugh and work as a team. I would dare to say that most of us got some important life learnings about communication, collaboration, behavior and 'be yourself' as part of this activity. Thank you, Philip, for joining us and working with us, and thank you for bringing a different perspective to our day.” - Avi Shai, Engineering Director, Google
“Philip workshop was an incredible addition to our team offsite! Many team members mentioned afterwards how much fun they had and how skilled Philip was at getting everyone comfortable and participating – the experience was not at all as intimidating as they had imagined an improv workshop would be. Several people emphasized that the techniques and mindset that were taught are immediately useful in their day-to-day and they intend to make a habit of applying these newly acquired skills when interacting with teammates and colleagues!” – Virginia Feng.
"I found Philip's improv workshop to be an incredible experience, and the skills you presented were very much applicable to the consulting world." -Tim Stansel, Executive Director, Human Capital, Ernst & Young.
"We hired Philip Markle for a corporate team building event with a group from one of the "Big 4" Consulting Firms who had no experience whatsoever with improv. Before they knew it, the team was enjoying themselves. Philip is a dynamic workshop leader who knows how to make any group communicate better, and most importantly, have fun while doing it." - Lauren Adler, Global Account Manager, Ernst & Young
"Philip led a fantastic improv session for us. It was engaging, dynamic, and kept the session brisk and relevant to our work — no small feat at the tail end of a half-day meeting in a room of nearly 400 people! I’d highly recommend Philip to anyone looking to bring fun and energy into a professional event." -Elizabeth Braden, Senior Deputy Vice President for Operations, Office of Alumni and Development, Columbia University.
"Philip’s improv workshop offered our team great advice on improving self-awareness, teamwork and brainstorming activities. I would recommend it to any business owner as a fun team-building exercise!" -Aaron Harvey, Co-Founder, Ready Set Rocket.
"Philip, I wanted to reach out and say thank you. Really enjoyed being part of the second class, your workshop and know the students truly enjoyed the experience and time with you in the studio. - Nathan Fox, Chair, MFAVN Dept. School of Visual Arts."
"Had a great time at the workshop - Philip did a great job of getting everyone involved and in relating improv techniques he taught us to the rest of our lives. I would highly recommend the class to anyone looking to improve their communication skills & to any workplace looking to bring their team members closer together in a fun and enlightening environment." - Gareth P., Ready Set Rocket.
“We did an amazing private improv 101 workshop for my husband’s bday with Philip. He did a fantastic job of getting everybody out of their comfort-zone and into some hilarious free-flowing improv. Philip has a talent for relating the fun of improv to everyday skills of open-mindedness, confidence and being creative. Would definitely do something like this again with him, highly recommended!”- Ishwari
"I had so much fun! I was pleasantly surprised and impressed with how some of they key concepts behind successful improv directly translate to the business world. Philip did a great job facilitating and making sure everyone was having fun and comfortable." - Lynn Mione, Partner Operations Lead, Yext.
"I absolutely enjoyed Philip' Improv Workshop. It's amazing how the various activities helped us become more effective by being relaxed, fun, creative, attentive and encouraging. I wish I could pick just one best part.. one of the major take-away is how we respond with a 'Yes, and' instead of 'No, but' can make a lot of difference." - Ritika S., Ready Set Rocket.
"My team loved the improv workshop, and you did a great job of incorporating exercises that were spot-on for their responsibilities! The workshop provided a perfect balance of self-reflection and entertainment, and not only did the participants gain useful skills, but it was a great ice-breaker for newer people on the team as well." - Sophie A., Team Manager, Ivy
"I was part of your class at CUNY for the Entrepreneurial Journalism Fellows. It's astonishing how much this short session actually helped. I felt more confident when presenting last week and took a lot of your advice with me on stage. So thank you so much for that." Dorien L, Student at CUNY
"Our school, East Harlem Scholars Academy Middle School participated in a workshop with Philip and it was such a great time for our whole team. We were able to develop team building skills and learn how to work on communication skills among peers. Philip was very interactive with our staff and was able to lead our entire group successfully during our workshop. We highly recommend their services and look forward to work with them again." - Abraham S, East Harlem Scholars Academy.
"Working with Philip and the other instructors from the Brooklyn Comedy Collective was one of the best decisions we made in designing our training for orientation leaders. We’ve used other comedy schools in the past to provide our students with this type of experience but the energy level, ability to connect and engage with our students and expertise from the Brooklyn Comedy Collective was unmatched. It was immediately apparent that they found a way to boost our orientation team’s confidence and helped them to unlock our student staff’s natural abilities and talents. The orientation leaders are still talking about the games and methods that Philip and the instructors taught them days later. In only 90 minutes, the BCC transformed my staff." - Catlin Michael Wojtkowski - Acting Director, Department of Student Life at the Fashion Institute of Technology
“Philip designed a program that was fun and that addressed a specific team-building need at our organization. The session helped break down reservations, get to know new colleagues, and push past comfort zones. Each presenter had their own twist-- my school had three sessions-- but all staff members reported having a great time and feeling more at ease with each other. Thanks in no small part to Philip's BCC team, I've noticed staff applying "yes, and..." techniques in different settings and approaching confrontation with greater comfort.” - Nick West, Principal, Harlem Scholars Academy II
“I participated in Philip's Applied Improvisation workshop, and as an improviser and facilitator myself was incredibly impressed. Philip breaks down the principles he teaches in a very clear way, engaging the group in fun games which help everyone understand and apply innovative ways of working. He's a born improviser and coach and anyone taking his workshop is bound to leave inspired, with a creative, practical tool kit.” - Adi Singer.
"Philip, I really appreciate who you are, how you taught and what you taught at the Voodoo Theatre in Denver. It was just what I needed. You found the truth and freedom in a bunch of rigid improv rules that all other instructors seem to keep hounding to the ground. Thank you for taking the time to get to know each person's needs to give personal notes. I've never had an instructor do that so intentionally. You are such a gifted teacher. I hope to be a fierce improviser like you once I stop apologizing." - Grace Chang, Student
"Our community is quite small and insular so it is really great to have a teacher of Philip's caliber visit and really open up what people think is possible on an improv stage. Many students reference his workshops as their favourite learning experiences and I can often see performers begin to play with more confidence in the weeks after his workshops." - John McInnes, Co-Founder of Kitchen Rules Theatre
"Philip’s workshop was outstanding. He’s passionate about what he does and he knows his stuff. Also, Philip is very funny himself. He broke down the ideas clearly, everyone had fun, and he successfully got the students in the workshop I participated in to joyfully challenge their comfort level. I cannot recommend him highly enough." - Alex Grindeland, Owner & Manager, ComedySportz Seattle.
"I brought Philip in to work with a group of improvisers with experience ranging from 6 months to 16 years. His teaching style was effortless and engaging and despite the large size of our group he was able to provide excellent individual notes and feedback. The students are still abuzz about how they learned to burn their fear and would jump at the opportunity to work with him again." - Mike Borden, Education Coordinator, Syracuse Improv Collective
"We hired Philip to teach his Musical Improv and Burn Your Fear workshops at International Theater Stockholm and we absolutely loved both of them! Philip is an inspiring, encouraging teacher committed to his students’ growth. He has a deep knowledge about improv and musical improv and was able to transfer a lot of his knowledge and points of view in a structured and pedagogic way. He is great at giving constructive feedback while encouraging students to question concepts and think independently. His genuinely warm and friendly teaching style made everyone feel safe and encouraged to really challenge themselves and get out of their comfort zone. If you are thinking of hiring Philip Markle or taking one of his workshops, do it! You won’t be disappointed!" - Katarina Wahlberg, Co-Founder and General Manager, International Theater Stockholm
“Philip brings the passion and energy to take you by the collar and shake the improv out of you. Players who are often timid were leaping on stage in a frenzy. All the while we hit the marks for a good understanding of improv. Excellent instructor and performer.” — Chris J. Rock, Director, Hive Improv Berlin
"The Musical Improv workshop with Philip was fantastic! He is full of energy and knows what he's talking about. We had a really fun time and took away a lot. So even after just three hours we now have a very good foundation and are highly inspired to develop our own show. " - Tobias Sailer, Artistic Director, AMS! Theatre Bremen.
"Philip's workshop was great for getting out of your head and performing without restraint. He helps you remember that nothing really matters, so you can finally just go for it. In his workshop we were amazed by where everyones crazy brains took us. It was super fun!" - Kate Bryant, Founder, Good Good Comedy Theatre
"Philip Markle's biggest strength is he is able to remind you what you love about improv and what you love about your self. He has the unique ability to slap you out of whatever is killing your improv buzz, cuts away all the crap till everything is fun again." - Student
"Philip was persistent in coaching and directing students to improve their technique. Most instructors will advise a student two or three times on a particular point and then give up on that student. Philip was relentless, patient and pleasant. Philip's love of improv permeated each session of the workshop." - Bob Makarowski, Student
"I really liked this class because it was small, intimate, and each class we picked one thing to work on and focused on that thing (whether it's a fear or weakness or something like "stronger characters"). Phil is really good at going around the room and gathering what we want to work on as a class and as individuals, without making anyone feel singled out. He gives feedback like EVERY class which I found more helpful than feedback from my peers in previous classes. It really got me out of my shell, louder and weirder and freakier than ever. Phil loves freaky.” - Student.
"If you are looking for improv heart liberation, find a way to learn from Philip Markle. He is so special and will lovingly smack your improv heart free! Run, I tell you into his wise, silly, joyful, improv brilliant arms." - Tessa Hersh, Student.
"Philip is a keen observer, he simatenously tailors his notes to the individual and extrapolates them to the group. My favorite thing though, is he'll jump into a scene and throw something at you rather than just talk at you." - Student
"His greatest strengths are explaining concepts, supporting all improvisers in the class, and creating an environment conducive to learning and having fun with improv, aka everything." - Student
"I did a complete 180 as an improviser and probably a person through this class. He presented strong lesson plans with actionable takeaways." - Student
“Not to geek out too hard but I just wanted to let you know how much I appreciate. What has in the past been a stressful and heady class experience, you made FUN and free of anxiety.” - Student
"He obviously giving a fuck about teaching, knowing a ton about the pedagogy and improv theory and giving frank opinions about what he feels helps students develop their talents well." - Student
"Philip nails what you need to work on, and gives you feedback that's usable. Also, he creates a very 'safe' space so you don't feel insecure. He really seemed to care about making us better." - Student
“I had been feeling very much in my head, almost burdened by improv, and your workshop was an exercise in rediscovering the reasons I love improv to begin with." - Student
“You motivate me so much, in how great a performer you are, how effective a teacher you are, and how warm a person you are."- Student
“You up got me out of a pretty significant improv slump (the kind the artistic director calls you into his office to talk about), and I'd been yearning for more of that free play. So thank you thank you thank you, and I hope to work with you more in the future. It was a truly joyful and enriching experience. - Student
"Philip Markle has that rare blend of passion, intellect, talent and, above all, heart -- there is no finer teacher for actors in Chicago." - David H. Bell, Professor of Musical Theatre, Northwestern University
"Philip Markle is the perfect teacher as he combines immense talent, unique vision and a passion for the work as well as a joy in creating that is unquestionably contagious. For a relatively young artist, Mr. Markle is wise far beyond his years and yet retains a wondrous native childishness - the true formula for genius." -Craig Slaight, Director, Young Conservatory, American Conservatory Theater.
"You have opened my eyes into the wonderful world of improv. The skills you have taught me have helped me so much whether I mess up a line, my partner messes up a line or if I am just asked to improv. I can flat out guarantee that every single person who took a class from you, remembers your spunky and creative teaching skills and they probably also remember the ALWAYS wonderful, Philip Sparkle! I have learned so much from you that I think I won’t ever be able to express it in words. You are fabulous, smart, innovative, soon-to-be famous and just amazing.” – Young Student
“When my son took your improv class in the spring of his fifth grade year -- his first acting class ever -- he was a bit of a lost soul, struggling to find his talent and his passion. The past 2 1/2 years, working with you, has transformed him. He has gained self-confidence and a work ethic and a passion that we never knew he possessed. He, and we, will always be grateful for your support of him. His favorite thing of all has been studying improv." - Parent of Student