Can comedy help people learn about serious civic issues? Our audience surveys say yes.
For years, The Theater of Public Policy asked a slightly strange question: What if a serious civic conversation and an improv comedy show had a baby, and that baby cared deeply about zoning, taxes, public health, and democracy?
Between 2016 and 2019, we collected 422 audience surveys across 29 shows at the Bryant Lake Bowl in Minneapolis. We wanted to know if our “chocolate-covered broccoli” approach of mixing hard policy with unscripted humor actually worked.
The results were definitive.
12 Places Where You Can Take an Improv Class in the Twin Cities
When we finish an improv workshop, one of the most common questions from attendees is, “Where can I learn more?” While Danger Boat Productions offers workshops that focus on applying improv skills in the workplace and beyond, we don’t offer “Improv 101” classes geared towards performance. That’s why we’ve created this list to serve as a guide where you can learn more about what improv courses are available in Minnesota.
Our Values: How Danger Boat Uses Comedy to Build Connection, Creativity, and Trust
I’ll admit it: early in my career, I didn’t understand the importance of organizational values.
Drafting them took an entire day. An hour might be spent discussing whether you should use “and” vs “or”. Then, once they were finished, they’d go on the website and you’d never see them until the next strategic plan rolled around.
But I’ve come around.
Why is my doctor taking an improv class?
Danger Boat co-founder Tane Danger speaks with "Health Matters" podcast host Kristen Meinzer about his work as an inaugural artist-in-residence at Mayo Clinic, where he uses improv to teach healthcare professionals how to think on their feet, collaborate with team members, and really listen to their patients.
How the Danger Boat Productions and the Humphrey School are Teaching Students to Bridge Political Divides
In a time of rising polarization, the University of Minnesota’s Humphrey School of Public Affairs is piloting a unique approach to civic education: teaching graduate students the skills of constructive dialogue. Featured recently on PRX’s North Star Stories, the program creates space for students to practice respectful, curiosity-driven conversations across differences.
Connecting Communities Through Improv – Fox 9 Feature
Danger Boat Productions co-founder Tane Danger joined Fox 9’s Afternoon Shift to share how improv builds connection, teaches listening, and transforms tough conversations.
TV Interview: Sketches of Minnesota Comes to Rochester
On August 28, the Rochester Art Center will host Sketches of Minnesota — a free community dinner and improv comedy performance where your stories take center stage.
Sketches of Minnesota on the Side by Side Podcast
Danger Boat’s Tane Danger and the Tryg Throntveit, formerly of the Minnesota Humanities Center, sat down with the University of Minnesota’s Side by Side Podcast to talk about Sketches of Minnesota—how improv, history, and humor are bringing communities together to reimagine democracy across the state.
Sketches of Minnesota 2025 Tour Stops
The Sketches of Minnesota 2025 Tour is upon us! Check out the summer and fall tour dates and see if we’ll be coming to y our community.
How Improv Is Helping Doctors at Mayo Clinic Communicate, Connect, and Care Better
A recent MPR New article about Tane Danger discussed how Mayo doctors use improv to improve empathy, listening, and teamwork in patient care.