Applied Improv Facilitation

Sara McMahon speaking at a conference, standing on stage with a microphone, next to a large presentation screen displaying her name, title as Applied Improv Specialist, and the Athena Pack logo.

Whether you’re looking for a facilitator for your company retreat, corporate conference, or couple’s improv workshop, I’ve got your back!

Drawing on my 15+ years as an Improv teacher and Applied Improv Specialist, I take the principles of improv such as listening skills, saying yes, overcoming fear of failure, and cooperative learning, and infuse your event with playfulfulness and a little bit of magic.

I understand that everyone's needs are different, so I offer customizable workshop options, including one-day intensives and multi-session programs both online and in person.

Create lasting, positive change in your personal life and group dynamics with my workshops. Contact me today to start your transformative journey.

Group of women smiling and touching hands together in a circle at an event.
A woman with gray hair and glasses smiling and gesturing with her hand, talking to two young people in a workshop.
Logo of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation on a black background

Clients include:

Seattle Children's Hospital logo featuring a stylized orange swirl in a blue circle with a hand underneath and the text 'Seattle Children's Hospital Research Foundation'
Logo of Holden Village featuring a stylized mountain range above the text
Logo of Expeditors with stylized orange and red paper airplane icon.
Red background with white text reading, 'eliminating racism empowering women ywca Clark County'.
Amazon logo with black text and orange arrow underneath.
Highline Public Schools logo with abstract design and text
Logo of Avanade with orange text and abstract orange and red geometric shape.
Logo of Seattle Colleges featuring the Space Needle and city skyline with the text 'Seattle Colleges' and 'North, Central, South'.
Skyline logo with stylized pink skyscraper
Logo for Cancer Pathways incorporating the words Education, Support, Community
Colorful logo with the words 'Helping Families Thrive' and a leaf illustration above the 'v' in Thrive.
Google logo with colored letters on a white background.
The Athena Pack Logo, with the outline of a wolf with the letters A and P in white in the center, set against a green watercolor background.
Text-based image with orange and red fonts stating 'eliminating racism, empowering women, YWCA Missoula'.

Following a fantastic workshop with Sara, I asked if she could facilitate a ten person workshop with children ages 8-15 and their parents. Sara did not disappoint! Even the most shy and reluctant kiddo was able to find a space to get comfortable and be successful in the games. Parents had a chance to watch their kids shine and get silly in a family-friendly, relationship-building time that we will be talking about for years! On the way out, the kids ended up naming every single game as their "favorites" and asked to keep playing them at home. I highly recommend hiring Sara to facilitate a workshop for you!

Katie Bridges

We brought Sara in for The Athena Pack Conference 2023, and honestly, I didn’t know what a full package deal she was. My only regret was that we weren’t connected sooner! She moved a room of 200 women with grace, humor and smarts - got people out of their chairs, connecting, laughing and synthesizing conference content in an embodied way. She was a highlight for attendees, and a dream to work with. 

After the conference, I hosted Sara and a small group of friends at my house for a couples improv workshop… To say the least, we were intimidated / didn’t know what to expect (especially the guys haha), but the time flew by in a flurry of laughter and connection. Her Playdate Deck now lives on my kitchen table - and while I don’t facilitate it as well as she does, it’s an amazing reminder of that evening and an incredible tool for facilitating connection. 

Sara Close

Sara creates the most safe, inviting, informative and fun environment for her participants, particularly those who are somewhat anxious at the start. Studies have shown adults really suck at play, and Sara brings us all back into the silly, the safe, the way to fail gleefully. And that is good for the head and the heart.

April Hichens

The interactive exercises we were taken through were both fun and effective. The safe environment that Sara created really allowed us to open up and get involved without reservation.

David L

Sara is the bomb! She was very intentional in planning out our activities and crafting a space for us to be vulnerable and silly. She helped us let go of our anxiety and nervousness in a way that was meaningful for all. Sara crafted a safe space for all of us to be silly, playful and vulnerable. Getting to work in a new space with people I love and trust was so beautiful.

Jas