Testimonials
Personal Development
The Practice of Playful Presence
“Kerstin Caldwell has put together a stellar program to help you no matter where you are at in your life! I’ve attended countless workshops in the past, and this one was different. We laughed, we played, and we dug down deep helping me uncover blocks I didn’t know existed. Even weeks after the event, the lessons have stayed with me helping me through both a stressful time and a business expansion. This is a must-attend workshop!”
— Denise O.
"This class was so much more than I expected. Along with improvisational exercises which are both fun and fascinating, illuminating group conversations and writing exercises, there are the weekly private calls with
Kerstin with her uplifting and insightful feedback and suggestions. I can’t recommend Kerstin and the class highly enough! I have new objectivity with my new awareness of my limiting beliefs. I can honestly say it was a life changing class for me personally and professionally."
— Mimi F.
“Take this class. Don’t wait. It’s such a pleasure to discover deep truths about yourself through play. If you’re curious about wanting to be more present with yourself and your emotions, this is a great way to explore that in a safe and fun environment.”
— Tom L.
“I feel much more at ease after this workshop , it has allowed me to regain the wonderful sense of playing that I had when I was young. This workshop has allowed me to give myself permission to play, letting go of my thoughts of failure and being right; and whether or not I’m being approved of by others. Expect to get to know yourself and uncover who are as you let go of whatever it is that you put yourself down with.”
— Matthew J.
“Disconnecting emotions/feeling in my body from the stories I tell myself has really helped me get off the merry go round of self doubt and degrading self talk. I felt like I learned to let the focus be on my body first which alleviated judgement of emotions and thoughts that arose and diminished anxiety/worry about what others thought. “
"I have a long way to go to achieving playfulness in all areas of my life. One monumental step I saw was replacing negative storytelling and mindfulness that didn’t focus on the body/emotion connection with curiosity and care for my inner child, which was a crucial leap for me... Recognizing how emotion is expressed through my body which is then connected to stories I tell myself related to the emotion is a mind-blowing lesson learned during this course. I see glimpses of joy in my mindfulness practice but will strive for more."
— Bethany T.
“If you are looking for a non-traditional improv class where you are supported in being present and authentic while having a lot of fun, this is it! It challenged me in ways that were unique and so helpful in being my most authentic self! Kerstin is an incredible teacher and I would highly recommend this class!!”
— Danielle C.
“This class was great. It was totally out of my comfort zone, but it was fun and I looked forward to it each week. It’s helped me notice the opportunities for playful presence in my life, so I can continue to consciously take advantage of those opportunities. ”
— Pam G.H.
“It's a fun, safe place to explore where you're holding back and not sharing 100% of yourself. Kerstin's boundless energy makes the experience entertaining and light. I learned so much about myself.”
— Travis R.
Personal Development Classes
“The class not only provided the fun of improv, but the science behind it. I enjoyed learning about the connections we make or have long ago made that provide stability or are a hindrance in our lives. The best was right from the start! Praising our faults. Not only praising, but taking a moment to voice it instead of having it fester in our heads. That is a tool I will take in my daily life because life is full of faults. Be brave, make a mistake!”
— Chrissy H.
“Your energy was so great, so positive, I really enjoyed it once I stuck with it. I thought about bailing a couple of times because I didn't think it was really my thing but I pushed myself out of my comfort zone and ended up laughing and having some takeaways.”
— Carole G.
School Programs
With Students
“Kerstin does amazing work with adolescents. Many of our school’s graduates identify the work they did with Kerstin as being instrumental in post high school relationships and careers. I highly recommend Kerstin’s instruction to any organization that seeks to build confidence and communication skills for teens and young adults.”
— David Roll, Principal - William Smith High School
“Improvisation as a class was FUN, but it was more than just games. Kerstin sometimes made us laugh, sometimes made us cry, and always made us reflect upon our own lives. Kerstin has a real skill for breaking down the barriers that keep kids from connecting with others and with themselves. To see our students grow into self-aware beings who care about their communities was an amazing experience that I looked forward to each year.”
~ Lucas Newman
Former Freshman Social Studies, William Smith High School
“When improv became a school-wide structure, it had a noticeable and meaningful impact on our students—saying “yes” became part of our culture. More importantly is the confidence each student developed to handle whatever life throws his or her way.”
~ Paul Grzybowski
Film Instructor, William Smith High School
Professional Development
“Thank you so very much Kerstin! I appreciated your energy and encouragement so much! Thank you for reminding me life is messy because we are human.”
— Katie R.
Consulting
“As a school administrator I am constantly looking for ways to engage students while teaching them meaningful skills. A good “improv class” could absolutely engage a group of teenagers, but we need young people to do much more than just have fun playing acting games. Kerstin worked with our administration and class instructor to design a completely customized, standards-based course that teaches students to learn about themselves while they learn from others. Students move, talk, listen, share, play and reflect in ways that help them develop the skills to be productive, successful, compassionate, and happy young adults. If your goal is to help your organization truly gain perspective, Kerstin will help you do just that.”
— Jackson Westenskow, Assistant Director, MESA
“Kerstin has a depth of knowledge, both as an educator and as a subject matter expert. She seamlessly relates the joy of improv into a teaching tool for students to better understand how they show up in the world through the use of games. As a consultant I enjoyed the honest, helpful feedback she provided me as her learner. One of her best strengths is being able to identify human behavior and gently guide it in a focused and connected way.”
— Cheryl G.