Learn how to defuse family fireworks through the art of improvisation in this 90-minute workshop for better dialogue.
About the Workshop
Will your next family gathering be a peaceful picnic or a rhetorical minefield?
Summer is officially here, and with it comes the glorious scent of charcoal, the crackle of fireworks, and the inevitable political rant from your third cousin twice removed. Whether it’s a graduation party or a 4th of July blowout, we’ve all been there: staring at a paper plate of potato salad, wondering how to respond to a comment that makes our blood boil.
Do you stay silent and stew? Or do you dive into a debate that ruins the vibe before the sparklers even come out?
Danger Boat Productions invites you to a 90-minute workshop designed to help you navigate these fraught moments with grace, humor, and a little bit of improv magic. Originally developed in partnership with the Humphrey School of Public Affairs, this curriculum was built to help people move past the fear of saying the wrong thing so they can actually connect.
What You’ll Learn
In this interactive session, we’ll ditch the "competition of facts" and focus on building shared understanding. Through low-stakes improv games and guided exercises, you will:
Master the "Yes, And": Learn how to acknowledge someone's perspective without necessarily agreeing with their every point.
Practice "Looping": Use clarifying questions to ensure your partner feels heard—even when you’re miles apart on the issues.
Listen for Values: Discover how to hear what people really care about beneath the heated rhetoric.
Manage Your Internal Thermostat: Find yourself getting overheated or completely shut down? Learn how your own emotional energy directly impacts the outcome of a conversation
Details
Date: June 18, 2026
Time: 3:00pm-4:30pm
Location: Center for Performing Arts (3754 Pleasant Ave)
Register Here: Workshop Page
About the Instructor
Duck Washington is a seasoned Twin Cities theater artist and community builder with a passion for using performance to tackle complex social issues. An award-winning actor and playwright, Duck received national attention for his work on Caucasian-Aggressive Pandas and Other Mulatto Tales, a production rooted in his experiences growing up mixed-race in America.
With decades of experience at institutions like the Guthrie Theater and the University of Minnesota, Duck excels at bridging the gap between theater and education. Whether he’s managing programs at the U of M Math Center or facilitating dialogue on the stage, he is dedicated to amplifying underrepresented voices and fostering genuine connection through play. When he isn’t helping people navigate difficult conversations, you can find him birding in local parks, geeking out over Star Wars, or cheering on the Minnesota Lynx.