Six-Week Course
Tuesdays, October 13, 20, & 27 and November 3, 10, & 17
6-7:30 PM

Take your improv skills to the next level in this dynamic six-week course focused on creating richer characters, stronger relationships, and compelling scenes. Through dramatic, comedic, and even musical improvisation, students will explore point of view, build longer-form scenes, and learn how to raise the stakes to create engaging, spontaneous stories. The course will revisit techniques from last season’s “Yes, And…,” and build on that foundation, culminating in a performance for family and friends.

Appropriate for all levels, including new and past participants, ages 18+.

Instructed by Kayla Matters and Amy Kirwin

Kayla Matters
Kayla Matters (she/her) is a local director, theatre educator and actor, and the Programs Manager for Learning and New Works at Guild Hall of East Hampton. Kayla graduated summa cum laude from Rider University with her BFA in musical theatre, and from New York University with her MA in Educational Theatre in Colleges and Communities. Previous directing credits include the educational premiere production of We Are the Tigers (New York University), Paper and Glue (New York University) and The Little Mermaid (Bay Ridge Theater Camp) Select performance credits include Cathy in The Last 5 Years (New York University), Ensemble Member in Whatever You Are, Be A Good One (New York University, Verbatim Performance Lab), Jackie in The Grift (Bay Street Theater), The Artful Dodger in Oliver (Forestburgh Playhouse) Gallathea in Gallathea (Rider University and The Dionysus Theater Festival in Croatia), as well as originating the role of Bobby in ZM - a new original musical by Kotis and Hollmann (Rider University).
Amy Steinhaus Kirwin
Amy joined Guild Hall in February 2021 as its first Chief Creative Officer, and now serves as Chief Public Engagement + Impact Officer, creating and overseeing community engagement programming such as Art Socials, Silent Disco Dance Parties, Third Thursdays, and more, and produces Florence Fabricant's long-running series, Stirring the Pot. Amy also oversees marketing, PR, visitor services, and Louise & Howie's Coffee Bar.
Originally from Los Angeles, Amy has a degree in Theatre & Film from the University of Kansas and followed by two years in the acting conservatory program at Circle in the Square Theatre School in New York. She was part of the three-person team that opened and operated 59E59 Theaters, serving as Director of Sales and Membership and playing a key role in creating the identity of the institution that remains strong today. She later became Manager of Partnership Marketing at the Broadway League and Tony Awards.
After 15 years in NYC, Amy moved to the Hamptons in 2010 and joined the staff at the Parrish Art Museum in advance of opening the new Herzog & de Meuron facility in Water Mill. Amy established the Parrish’s internship program and built the Visitor Services department, serving as Visitor Services and Programs Manager. She was named Artistic Director of Southampton Arts Center in May 2016 and during her tenure she expanded their public offerings from 50 to over 200 annually, transitioning from seasonal to year-round. As AD, she defined the artistic vision, brand, and messaging with an emphasis on community engagement, diversity, and artist-led initiatives. She conceived, curated, and produced the exhibitions and programs eARTh: Artists as Activists, TAKEOVER: Artists-in-Residence, Unity Fest, Jobs Pub, Storefront Art Initiative, and The Public Art Project, co-organized with artist Eric Fischl. She served on the Southampton Village Business Revitalization Committee from 2019-2021, is a founding member of Hamptons Arts Network, and joined the board of the Greater East Hampton Chamber of Commerce in 2024.
Photo: Lori Hawkins

ON THE SPOT: IMPROV, TAKE 2

Kayla Matters

Amy Steinhaus Kirwin

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