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069 | Improvisation & Play: Cultivating Presence with Dr. Chris Heimann (EN)
In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Chris Heimann, a theatre director, educator, and former leader of the improvisation curriculum at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) in London. For nearly two decades, Chris has guided actors, leaders, and teams to cultivate presence, spontaneity, and embodied awareness — using improvisation as a pathway into deeper human connection and creative agency.
Together, we explore what it means to work with what you’ve got, how play shapes our creativity, and why presence is perhaps the most powerful skill we have in a world that constantly pulls us away from the current moment.
The conversation moves from childhood impulses to leadership, from somatic intelligence to curiosity, and from friction to flow. Chris and I reflect on improvisation as a form of research — a way to understand ourselves, each other, and the stories we co-create.
How creative play can lead us to greater awareness
Why presence is a leadership skill
The promise of any given moment
Why improvisation begins with “working with what you’ve got”
Somatic intelligence and speaking through the body
Navigating uncertainty: the art of letting go
How “yes, and…” can shift collaboration and leadership
The difference between performing and researching through play
Simple practices to cultivate presence in everyday life
About Chris
Dr. Chris Heimann led the improvisation curriculum at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) for 19 years, teaching actors including Cynthia Erivo, Taron Egerton, Amy Lou Wood, and Marisa Abela. He is a two-time Fringe First Award–winning theatre director, and has spent 20 years coaching leaders and teams on communication, collaboration, creativity, and leadership. Chris is now based in Berlin, where he works through his company Spacecraft, helping individuals and organizations cultivate presence, awareness, and creative leadership.
Website
🎟 Whoops – already in the past: Reflection & Direction Workshop
If you’re in Berlin, join me at the start of January for a 3-hour Reflection & Direction Workshop guided by Transformation Designer Daniele Lauriola and Creative Health Facilitator Kathy Känzig. We’ll look back at 2025 and create a personal orientation for the year ahead.
Follow for Impact!
If this conversation resonated with you, follow Modern Creativity and leave a short review — it truly helps me keep sharing soulful dialogues and inspiring guests like Chris with you.
Website
Substack
My personal website
Thank you for being here. Stay open, stay kind, and keep creating from the heart.
View all episodes
By Kathy KänzigIn this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Chris Heimann, a theatre director, educator, and former leader of the improvisation curriculum at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) in London. For nearly two decades, Chris has guided actors, leaders, and teams to cultivate presence, spontaneity, and embodied awareness — using improvisation as a pathway into deeper human connection and creative agency.
Together, we explore what it means to work with what you’ve got, how play shapes our creativity, and why presence is perhaps the most powerful skill we have in a world that constantly pulls us away from the current moment.
The conversation moves from childhood impulses to leadership, from somatic intelligence to curiosity, and from friction to flow. Chris and I reflect on improvisation as a form of research — a way to understand ourselves, each other, and the stories we co-create.
How creative play can lead us to greater awareness
Why presence is a leadership skill
The promise of any given moment
Why improvisation begins with “working with what you’ve got”
Somatic intelligence and speaking through the body
Navigating uncertainty: the art of letting go
How “yes, and…” can shift collaboration and leadership
The difference between performing and researching through play
Simple practices to cultivate presence in everyday life
About Chris
Dr. Chris Heimann led the improvisation curriculum at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) for 19 years, teaching actors including Cynthia Erivo, Taron Egerton, Amy Lou Wood, and Marisa Abela. He is a two-time Fringe First Award–winning theatre director, and has spent 20 years coaching leaders and teams on communication, collaboration, creativity, and leadership. Chris is now based in Berlin, where he works through his company Spacecraft, helping individuals and organizations cultivate presence, awareness, and creative leadership.
Website
🎟 Whoops – already in the past: Reflection & Direction Workshop
If you’re in Berlin, join me at the start of January for a 3-hour Reflection & Direction Workshop guided by Transformation Designer Daniele Lauriola and Creative Health Facilitator Kathy Känzig. We’ll look back at 2025 and create a personal orientation for the year ahead.
Follow for Impact!
If this conversation resonated with you, follow Modern Creativity and leave a short review — it truly helps me keep sharing soulful dialogues and inspiring guests like Chris with you.
Website
Substack
My personal website
Thank you for being here. Stay open, stay kind, and keep creating from the heart.