How Improv Is Helping Doctors at Mayo Clinic Communicate, Connect, and Care Better
What happens when you bring improv theater into the heart of one of the world’s top hospitals? You get doctors who listen more deeply, collaborate more effectively, and feel more human in the high-pressure environments they face every day.
That’s exactly what’s happening at Mayo Clinic, where our own Tane Danger has been leading medical improv workshops for years. As Artist in Residence at Mayo Clinic’s Dolores Jean Lavins Center for Humanities in Medicine, Tane works with physicians, nurses, and medical staff using tools from improvisational theater to build stronger communication, empathy, and adaptability.
🎧 This work was recently featured in a story on Minnesota Public Radio News. You can listen to the segment and read the full article here:
https://www.mprnews.org/story/2025/06/12/doctors-mayo-clinic-improv-theater-workshops
Why Improv in Medicine?
Medical improv isn’t about being funny—it’s about being present. These interactive sessions draw on the same skills used by actors on stage: active listening, building trust, adapting in real time, and supporting your scene partners. For healthcare providers, that means being more attuned to their patients, communicating clearly with colleagues, and navigating uncertainty with greater ease.
Participants practice exercises like:
Saying “Yes, and…” to build collaborative responses
Reflective listening to ensure patients feel truly heard
Role-playing tough conversations with patients or peers
Staying calm and flexible under stress
And while many show up skeptical, most leave saying the workshops were more helpful than traditional trainings they’ve taken.
A Partnership That’s Making a Real Difference
The results have been remarkable. Residents and faculty alike report increased confidence, better communication with patients, and even a renewed sense of joy in their work.
This kind of innovation in medical education is what we believe improv was meant for: helping people connect more deeply, think more clearly, and show up more fully in the moments that matter most.
If you're curious about how improv could make a difference in your field—whether it's healthcare, education, or business—get in touch with us to learn more about our workshops and trainings.