Play
Play is the MOST powerful way to learn. It is not an activity exclusive to children but rather, it’s an activity we all must engage in for healthy, happy lives. Play builds connections, deepens relationships, and opens up creative channels which leads to elevated thinking and innovative solutions. The opposite of play is not work, it’s stagnation. Are you ready to leverage the power of play to take your team or ensemble to the next level?
Improvisation
Humans are born improvisers. We don’t engage in our world reading from a script – we make it up as we go along. To improvise is to create something new with what we have available to us, no matter what our circumstance or resources look like. Improv creates joy and laughter but it is not about wit and comedy. It’s about trusting and moving with our instincts and supporting the ensemble to look good.
We improvise at work, as parents, in relationships, and in our daily conversations and interactions. Improvisation allows us to be ready for whatever comes next. It helps us to handle anything artfully and skillfully. It helps us gracefully go with the flow. You already improvise. Learn to do it with intention. The results will astound you.
Development
Development is our innate, human ability to continuously learn and grow. It is our never-ending capacity to try new things and acquire new skills. Development means attempting that which we don’t yet know how to do, which is the only way we learn. Are you striving for continuous development or are you stagnated? My work creates an environment that empowers people to develop and thrive.
Lainie Hodges was first introduced to the power of play and improvisation through her work with the All Stars Project in New York City. Since then, Lainie has used play and improv as transformative developmental tools to support the growth and advancement of youth, adults, athletes — even herself.
A Denver native and graduate of integrated public schools, Lainie earned her bachelor’s degree in Health and Exercise Science from Syracuse University and earned a master’s degree in World History and Culture from the University of Denver. She also studied Sport Counseling at San Diego University for Integrative Studies. With a high level of cultural competency developed through study and lived experience, Lainie is uniquely able to lead and facilitate diverse groups of people.
Lainie studied improvisation at the Magnet Theater (NYC) and Grafenberg Productions (Denver). Her experience includes developmental work within public school systems, private business, criminal justice, and professional athletics.