We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Nicole Trickey a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Nicole, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Can you open up about a risk you’ve taken – what it was like taking that risk, why you took the risk and how it turned out?

I took my first improv class in 2012 at The Upfront Theatre in Bellingham, WA. I had no experience in drama but was called to try something new. My friend Ruth took the class with me. It was a buy one get one free improv special. I still remember the day like it was yesterday. We walked in and were greeted by others in the class. I remember a lovely improv teacher named Oona having the group circle up in chairs seated. We went around one at a time and introduced ourselves. She wanted to know our names, if we had ever taken improv, and are reason for taking the class. My answer was, “My name is Nicole, I have no improv or theater experience, and I’m taking the class to help me pursue stand up comedy.” After introductions were complete we got rid of the chairs and went into a standing circle. I was nervous but excited as we learned improv games as a group. The feeling I had while playing the games was like being a kid again. I felt JOY, I felt ACCEPTANCE, and I was beginning to discover my TRUE SELF..

As previously mentioned I originally wanted to do stand up comedy but after my first class was hooked on the collaborative aspect that improv games encourage. By the second class, I was so comfortable with my new friends. This was the community I had been looking for where I could be myself. My self esteem was at an all time low. My best friend and roommate of 9 years moved away and I was living by myself for the first time. I was trying to find who I was and who I wanted to be. I was unhappy in my job, overweight, and my friend group began to change as people graduated college, got married, and started having kids. After taking my first improv class I became motivated to strength train and regularly work out. I began trying new foods and eating better. Improv classes soon became the highlight of my week. I wanted to learn everything there was about the art form.

Fast forward to 2014 when I went back to school to be an Elementary School Teacher.. I moved back home to go to school and was looking for an improv community. There was an improv troupe called Manic Thunder that I reached out to and that’s how I met my husband. Between the two of us we decided to join forces and started The Yakima Improv Society.In 2016. We are now a non-profit organization that creates opportunities for practicing artists of improv theatre in the Yakima Valley. We assembled a MainStage Cast and begin doing live shows. We began teaching improv classes to adults and youth summer improv camps . When we first started out we had 1 person show up for class. Flash forward to 2025 where all of our classes are full and people are seeking us out for improv enrichment opportunities.

So that being said, I’ve decided to make a huge leap in my career. After 9 years of teaching Elementary School and teaching/performing improv on the side I’ve decided to pivot to improv full time. I have launched my own business called The Improv Connection. It’s a place where people can come together to take improv classes for community, collaboration, and human connection. My mission is to bring it back to the basics where human connection, play, and storytelling help us thrive as people. I will be teaching improv to adults, youth, senior citizens, and hired out by companies for collaborative team building. I’m excited to take this risk as I believe this is my true purpose. In life.I was called to spread the joy improv classes can bring to your life.. I encourage anyone reading this to take an improv class. You never know what you will discover about yourself and others through the power of play.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

My name is Nicole Trickey. I’m a 6 foot tall wacky ball of energetic light. I enjoy being silly, connecting with people, and learning to love myself everyday. I’ve never known a stranger. I can talk to anyone and love meeting new people. In my grown up life, I am a certified teacher in Washington State. My true passion is teaching improv to adults and youth. I studied improv at The Upfront Theatre and have taken workshops from Jimmy Carrane based out of Chicago. After years of performing and taking classes I began teaching improv in 2016. I’ve developed a curriculum for various improv classes with my skills learned by working, continued training, and my experience working with students social emotional health in the classroom.

Currently offering the following classes for Adults:Improv for Mental Health Wellness & Improv for Social Connections

Currently offering the following classes for Youth.:Improv for Creativity and Self Expression & Improv for Peer Relations

My classes are designed for people who want to tap into creativity, collaboration, and human connection. The best part about teaching improv for me is watching people come in as strangers and leaving class laughing, exchanging numbers, and making genuine connections.

Please follow me on Facebook, Instagram, and Tik Tok (theimprovconnection)
Website:discovertheimprovconnection.com

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

My goal is to help people reduce screen time and tap into their inner child. I encourage people to take a class for human connection. My mission is simple: to bring it back to the basics where human connection, play, and story telling help us thrive as people.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

The most rewarding part about teaching improv theatre is the people. Every class is different and special in its own way. Watching people grow in their confidence, working together, and supporting one another is so good for the soul. I enjoy adapting improv lessons to the groups strengths and encouraging students to develop their communication skills.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://Discovertheimprovconnection.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theimprovconnection?igsh=OWgxNnRuazRhNTk2&utm_source=qr
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1GF79es9GJ/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Image Credits

Pictures by Bree Cisneros