Alternative instruction will continue for the Spring 2021 semester. Students should remain in communication with their instructors and follow their instructions.
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Program Description
According to LinkedIn, the #1 skill shortage in Los Angeles is in oral communication.
This one-of-a-kind professional training program addresses a problem that nearly anyone can relate to, connecting with others in professional, networking, and social settings. The Strategies for Professionals: Improvisation and Acting program utilizes the approaches and exercises developed in the realm of improv and acting to assist business professionals in developing and increasing their interpersonal (speaking, listening, presenting, pitching, networking) and intrapersonal (self-awareness, nonverbal communication, managing emotions, being respectful of others, showing empathy and understanding) skills. The intimate workshop format will allow participants to engage with an experiential trainer and connect with other business professionals, resulting in real-time coaching and feedback. This course adopts the fundamentals of actor training, based on the concepts of diving deeper into exercises where you discover your voice, overcome fear, and spark creativity.
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Takeaways from this program:
- Master soft skills that are advantages for the workplace and business settings
- Engage in “Yes, and…!” exercises, the golden rule of improv
- Gain transferrable soft skills and improvisation strategies that can transfer to video conferencing calls, interviews and team meetings via online platforms such as Zoom or Microsoft Teams
- Strengthen intrapersonal skills (self-awareness, nonverbal communication, empathy, and understanding)
- Improve interpersonal skills (speaking, listening, presenting, pitching and networking)
- Expand your creative problem-solving and collaboration skills
- Develop reflective practice habits
- Create meaningful and long-lasting business relationships
Register for our complimentary Strategies for Professionals online class! There are a limited number of slots available. Note that a confirmation email with Zoom link will be sent 1-2 days before the class. Date: Tuesday, February 9, 2021 Time: 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Register here. Total Program Cost: $295 Course Requirements: A laptop or desktop with a camera for class participation. (A Zoom meeting link and login instructions will be sent out a few days before the start of the class.) Federal financial aid is not currently available for this program. However, you can apply for a private student loan here. For Spring 2021, the Strategies for Professionals: Improvisation and Acting program will be offered: Tuesdays, March 2, 2021, through March 30, 2021 (6:30 to 8:30 p.m.) After receiving a B.S. in Mathematics and B.S. in Psychology from Vanderbilt University, Jay moved to Los Angeles. He has performed in television (How I Met Your Mother, Arrested Development, and others), film (Evan Almighty and others), and over 85 commercials. He is also featured in the upcoming Melissa McCarthy film Superintelligence and recently starred in the short film The Garage, which he also executive-produced. Jay’s corporate/executive training background stems from his tenure at the Groundlings Theater and School in Los Angeles. He served there for 15 years - first as a student, then as a performer in the Sunday Company, and for seven years as a Senior Instructor and Director. In 2016, he created his own improv and sketch comedy collective called Hancock Park Jai-Alai Club and currently serves as its executive director. Jay has taught all levels and styles of comedy improv and improv for business and has directed 100+ live improv and sketch shows. Register for the Strategies for Professionals: Improvisation and Acting program: For more information about the Strategies for Professionals: Improvisation and Acting program, please contact the College of Professional and Global Education at Cal State LA via email or (323) 343-4915.Who Should Enroll?
Complimentary Class
Tuition & Fees
Financial Assistance
Program Schedule
About the Instructor
Jay Lay is an actor, writer, director, teacher, and experiential trainer.
Through his own experiential training company, Indigoburst Creative, Jay has led numerous seminars for Microsoft, Facebook, Netflix, Starbucks, Kaiser Permanente, and dozens of other companies. Jay also served as the in-house corporate creative consultant for the PR/marketing firm IgnitedUSA in Marina del Rey for over a year.Enroll/Register
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