Presented at the 2022 Summit

How to Improv

0.2 CEUs, GS

Have you ever wondered how performers are able to come up with certain signs or figure out what to say extemporaneously? If so, this is the perfect workshop for you. We will have three masters of this art: Peter Cook, Keith Wann and Patrick Fischer tell various stories, jokes and play interactive games all while teaching you the skills that can improve your language skills!

Workshop Curriculum

  1. 1

    • Welcome
  2. 2

    • Workshop

    • Quiz

Reviews from The Summit

Average Rating

4.6/5.0The activity provided opportunities to develop skill and/or awareness.

4.6/5.0The learning materials used were effective and complimented the goals of the activity.

4.6/5.0This activity will contribute to my professional growth.

4.9/5.0The instructor interacted with the participants in a professional manner.

  • Summit Attendee

    Loved how they organized the time with each of their backgrounds, tips, stories and then moved on to interactive games. They have me thinking of ways to incorporate improv and their tips into my teaching as well as my interpreting.

  • Summit Attendee

    Fantastic workshop!! VERY entertaining and learned a lot too.

  • Summit Attendee

    Best entertainment in a longgggg time. Love those guys. Thanks for the giggles! Can't wait to start an improv group in this area. Thanks for the inspiration.

Meet Your Presenter

Summit Presenter

Peter Cook

Peter S. Cook is an internationally reputed Deaf performing artist whose works incorporates American Sign Language, pantomime, storytelling, acting, and movement. He has traveled extensively around the country and aboard with Flying Words Project to promote ASL Literature with Kenny Lerner since 1986. Peter has appeared in Live from Off Center’s “Words on Mouth” (PBS) and “United States of Poetry” (PBS) produced by Emmy winner Bob Holman. Peter was featured at the National Storytelling festival in Jonesborough, Tenn., and the Tales of Graz in Graz, Austria, The Deaf Way II and the Millennium Stage at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. Peter has worked with Deaf storytellers/poets in Europe, Brazil, Israel and Japan. Peter was invited to the White House to join the National Book Festival in 2003. He also involved in numerous film projects including the ITV’s Signed Stories. Peter lives in Chicago and is the Chair of the ASL Department at Columbia College Chicago. He received the 1997 Excellence in Teaching award as well as one of the finalists for 2018 Excellence in Teaching award.

Performing Artist, Actor, Certified Interpreter, CODA

Keith Wann

Keith Wann has been performing since 2002, starting with a Sign Language Improv group, and then in 2004 his solo career quickly took off due to several parody music videos going viral.  He semi-retired his live stage comedy show in 2017 to focus on web/studio projects. Combining side splitting physical humor, with heartfelt real life stories from his childhood as a hearing child with Deaf parents, has become his comedic trademark among the ASL Community, and is an original breakthrough performing ASL artist who has been featured in several short films with ASL and currently stars in a popular ASL Children's APP called Signed Stories. He has also done several commercials for Pepsi, appeared in High Maintenance, Quantico, Law and Order, and several short films with Deaf Directors and Actors.

Summit Presenter

Patrick Fischer

Patrick “Mr. Shineyhead” Fischer, CDI, ASLTA Master, is from several generations of fine artists and performers from Germany and has extensive experience in all things related to theatre and art. Patrick has been involved in a variety of artistic positions (artist, performer, director, producer, teacher, Director of Artistic Sign Language, and consultant) as well as participation in a variety of performances (storytelling, acting, and comedy) internationally. Patrick launched his business in 2005 as a way to provide services to those who want to learn more about theatre through deaf eyes. When not "working" in theatre he taught American Sign Language and deaf studies/deaf history, and currently is a certified ASLTA Master instructor. He has taught under the Sign Language Studies Program and Sign Language Interpretation Program in Portland, Oregon. Also, Patrick is a Deaf Language Model in Alaska. Patrick has his Graphic Design degree, and he is also an awarded professional artist and co-owner/marketing designer of the firm, Expert Business Support, Inc. To know more about Patrick “Mr. Shineyhead” Fischer, check out his website and YouTube: www.deafpatrickfischer.com www.youtube.com/mrshineyheadvideos
FRID is an Approved RID CMP Sponsor for Continuing Education Activities. This General Studies program is offered for 0.3 CEU's at the ‘Some’ Content Knowledge Level. TerpAcademy promotes an environment of mutual respect, free of discrimination based on gender, sexual orientation, race, religion, or any other protected class.