$300 ($270 for Members)
- Yes, and…: The foundational rule of improv. Performers agree with what their partner has presented (the “yes”) and then add new information to build the scene (the “and”). This fosters a collaborative environment and keeps the scene moving forward, rather than shutting down ideas.
- Active Listening: Since everything is unplanned, performers must listen closely to their scene partners and be present in the moment to react to new information.
- Making Choices: Improvisers make strong, specific choices about who their character is, where they are, and what the central conflict is to establish the scene’s reality quickly.
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Embracing Mistakes: There are no “mistakes” in improv, only unexpected offers. Performers justify whatever happens and weave it into the narrative, which helps maintain momentum and can lead to hilarious and creative turn.
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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
Sponsors
Learning + New Works programs are supported in part by funding from Bobbie Braun -The Neuwirth Foundation, the Lewis B. and Dorothy Cullman Endowment Fund, The Melville Straus Family Endowment, and additional support by Collegiate Gateway.
Additional support provided by Friends of Learning + New Works: Toni and Seth Bernstein, Julie Raynor Gross, Stephanie Joyce and Jim Vos, S. Kutler Foundation, N. Glickberg, D. Glickberg, and J. Abrahams, and Barbara Toll.
All Musical Programming is supported in part by The Ellen and James S. Marcus Endowment for Musical Programming.