Emily Schmidt

Hi there! My name is Emily Schmidt and I love coaching improv. Like, a lot. I started taking improv classes in 2002 in Minneapolis and I haven't really stopped since. I'm currently a member of the UCB Mess Hall team, Baby Strength.

I've studied under David Harris, Tricia McAlpin, Curtis Gwinn, Lennon Parham, Chrstina Gausas, DC Pierson, Mary Holland and Betsy Sodaro. I've taken workshops across the country from TJ Jagadowski, Dave Pasquesi, Susan Messing, Mick Napier, Joe Bill, Mark Sutton, and more.

I see different approaches to longform as tools in your scenework toolbelt that you can apply in different ways to create sustainable scenes in a variety of forms. But mostly, I see improv as incredibly fun. I love patient scenes with organic discoveries and delightful specifics.

In Minneapolis, I served as Director of Education for a mid-form improv school -- rewriting curriculum, training teachers and teaching classes. I also currently serve as Co-Director of Education of the Twin Cities Improv Festival with Jill Bernard. I taught at HUGE Improv Theater, Minneapolis' home for longform, in addition to coaching teams (working on everything from monoscenes to genre to Harolds). I'm also a graduate of the Brave New Workshop, the country's oldest satirical theater (yeah, older than Second City, by, like, a year).

I coached my mom's improv duo, which was only a little bit weird and mostly amazing.

I graduated from NYU in 2010 with a BFA in Dramatic Writing. While there, I was part of the longform troupe, Dangerbox. Like any good college improv troupe, we become too invested in the team and each other.

You can also see me onstage with Lady Parade and on the basketball court with the Lucille Ballers!