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This application is for the course occurring Saturday and Sunday May 3rd and 4th. We are accepting 8 students for this course. If less than 8 qualified students apply, then the course will be rescheduled for a later date. If more than 8 qualified students apply, acceptance will occur in the order the applications were received, and all other qualified students will be added to a wait list for the next course. The application period is open until April 24th, and your status in the course will be communicated on or before April 25th. 

To apply for this course, please complete the following three steps: 

1. Read this page thoroughly. It contains the Introduction to Stage Confidence which you will be asked to follow during your course.
2. Please fill out the application on the following pages with full and honest answers.
3. Verify your information is correct, then click the Submit Application button.

Introduction to Stage Confidence 

Stage Confidence classes started in 2021. They evolved out of improvisation classes being taught at a local theater in Bozeman, Montana, recognizing that the foundations of good improv are also the basic foundations of good relationships. These foundations are those of acceptance, communication, and trust. 

The name Stage Confidence came from considering what the opposite of Stage fright would be. Stage fright, also known as performance anxiety, is a feeling of fear or anxiety that occurs when performing in front of others. It can affect anyone and can show up on a literal stage or the figurative "stage" of life. 

Our classes cover a wide range of topics that have practical applications in both personal and professional realms, including: 

• Building self-confidence and self-expression
• Active listening and effective communication
• Embracing playfulness and spontaneity
• Cultivating trust and collaboration
• Developing adaptability and resilience
• Enhancing creativity and problem-solving skills
• Embracing vulnerability and imperfection
• Letting go of ego

What Stage Confidence is not: 

• Not passive learning: Our classes aren’t for passive learners. They’re tailored for those who are ready to take action and practice real-world skills.
• Not a comedy class: We’re not focused on crafting comedians but on enhancing practical skills for life and business.
• Not an acting class: Our classes concentrate on real-world skill development.
• Not a retreat from reality: We emphasize deepening your connection with the real world and enriching your presence within it.

What Stage Confidence is: 

• It is a way to enhance your confidence and develop skills in communication, relationship building, self-assurance, and public speaking.
• It is hands-on, experiential learning catered to those seeking personal development and increased social confidence.
• It is an art of living in relationships that one can use to make positive contributions to society.

Who Is It For: 

• Change Seekers: Stage Confidence is not just about theory; it’s for those who prefer doing over watching a YouTube video. If you’re ready to put your skills into practice and change your life, our classes provide an avenue for real-world growth.
• Professionals and Business Leaders: People aiming to enhance their social, business, and pitch skills have benefited from Stage Confidence. Stage Confidence provides skills that are invaluable in the world of sales, management, and professional connection.
• Individuals in all Life Stages: Whether navigating the challenges of dating or embracing retirement, Stage Confidence helps transform timidity into boldness. Our classes are applicable to everyone's unique journey.
• Creative Souls: Unlocking creativity, thinking outside the box, and breaking through the confines of reality are all practiced in Stage Confidence. Our program empowers people to be more imaginative in life, regardless of current confidence level.
• Community Seekers: Stage Confidence is more than just skill development; it’s about connecting with others who share similar challenges and goals. We foster a supportive community that genuinely cares about personal and professional growth.
• Those Seeking Presence and Healing: Our belief in the healing power of presence is at the core of our program. We’ll guide you to a state where it’s not just about you, but the transformative change that occurs when you connect with others.

Pre-requisites 

Stage Confidence courses are for adults (18+). They are open to individuals of all backgrounds and experience levels who are eager to embark on a journey of self-discovery, growth, and enhanced relationships. We only ask for commitment to showing up and being present. That commitment entails: 

• Commitment to the full course. If you're accepted and have confirmed your attendance, you will make every effort to attend barring an emergency.
• Commitment to being present. Check in your phone with the instructor upon arrival (you will get it back at the end of the day). Listen and pay close attention to all instruction.

While you are here to benefit yourself and your relationships, please know other students are depending on your presence as well. Do not commit only for your own sake, commit for the sake of the other students who you affect. 

Improvisation and Collaborative Exercise 

Our curriculum is largely improv-based, and here are some things to be aware of: 

• You will feel uncomfortable at first – Improv pushes you outside your comfort zone. Expect moments of awkwardness and know that everyone else is likely feeling the same way.
• You don’t have to be funny – Many beginners think they need to be hilarious, but improv is about collaboration and responding naturally. The humor comes from the scene, not forced jokes.
• You will be asked to be silly – Improv breaks down social conditioning that tells you to act “normal.” You’ll play games, make weird noises, and move in unexpected ways. Embrace it.
• Fear is normal – Feeling nervous is part of the process. Many students experience anxiety before class, and pushing through it leads to growth. Nerves and anxiety can also be reframed as excitement.
• Mistakes are part of the game – There’s no “right” or “wrong,” only fun and learning. The key is to keep going and support your scene partners.
• Listening is more important than talking – Improv is about responding to what’s happening in the moment. Strong improvisers focus on listening and responding rather than trying to be clever. The answer to not knowing what to say or do is not to try harder, be more creative, or just say anything, it is to listen deeper.
• You’ll have fun – Even if you feel nervous, improv is designed to be enjoyable. Many students find themselves laughing and forgetting their initial fears.

Improv embraces all topics, emotions, and scenarios—it’s a space where anything can unfold in the moment. While the spirit of improv is to accept and "yes, and" everything that comes your way, there is nothing in the course you must participate in, and in the context of scenes, there's nothing you ever must do or say. At any point in time, you may express to the instructor any blockages, unwillingness, or even simple discomfort. Everyone has different sensitivities and boundaries. You are never required to engage in a scene. You can redirect, step out, or shift the energy in a way that feels right for you. We encourage respect, awareness, and playfulness while navigating this creative space together. That said, if you often find yourself offended, Stage Confidence courses may not be a good fit for you. 

Physical interaction can enhance scenes and relationships, and all contact should be mutually comfortable and consensual. If a scene naturally leads to a moment of touch—a handshake, a shoulder tap, etc.—always be aware of your partner's comfort level. When in doubt, check in verbally or use non-contact alternatives. Everyone is encouraged to communicate their own boundaries, and we respect them fully. Again, if you ever feel uncomfortable, you can step out or redirect the scene without hesitation. 

Here are 7 rules to follow to make the class go smoothly (from this TEDx talk on improv): 

1. Play
2. Let yourself fail
3. Listen
4. Say "yes"
5. Say "and"
6. Play the game
7. Relax and have fun

Persons with Serious Mental Disorders 

People with serious mental and social disorders have occasionally come to Stage Confidence courses with the unrealistic expectation that they will cure or alleviate their challenges. Unstable interpersonal relationships and a history of various treatments could be factors which make a Stage Confidence course particularly challenging. We are not qualified to care for people with these backgrounds. Although most people have found Stage Confidence useful, it is not a substitute for medical or psychiatric treatment, and we do not recommend it for people with serious psychiatric disorders. 

Course Expectations 

1. No cell phones or other outside distractors (please check cell phones in upon arrival)
2. Leave your internal shit at the door (we will have an exercise to help with this)
3. Show up for others.  Your presence is a gift to the rest of us.
4. Don’t expect to be any good at this anytime soon
5. Have a ton of fun and learn a ton
6. Please speak up if anything isn't clear, either in the how, and especially in the WHY

Teaching Philosophy 

At Stage Confidence, we… 

1. …don't allow self-defeating or un-supportive language– especially towards yourself.
2. …value failure/mistakes/f*ck-ups and celebrate them.
3. …are not in an arrangement, we are in relationship.
4. …love feedback.

Food 

Lunch is provided for both days. Please prepare appropriately prior to class so you show up fueled and ready to work (play). 

Clothing 

Comfort and mobility are key. Here are some solid guidelines: 

Wear clothes you can move in – Improv often involves physical movement, so opt for comfortable, flexible clothing that allows you to jump, crouch, or stretch without restriction. 

Choose closed-toe shoes – Sneakers or flexible shoes with good grip are ideal. Avoid heels, sandals, or anything that limits movement. 

Consider layers – it's always possible to get too warm or cold. 

Skip restrictive accessories – Avoid dangling jewelry, hats, or anything that might fall off, interfere with movement, or get caught on scene partners. 

Course Finances 

Courses are run solely on a pay what you’re inspired to basis. Payments are accepted only from students who have completed at least one course. Someone taking the course for the first time may make payment only after completing the course. 

In this way, courses are supported by those who have realized for themselves the benefits. Wishing to share these benefits with others, a student gives at the level that makes sense to them with respects to their personal desire and financial situation.  

Whether a payment is large or small, it should be given with the wish to help others: ‘The course I have taken has been paid for through the generosity of past students; now let me give something towards the cost of a future course, so that others may also benefit.’ 

Summary 

To clarify the spirit behind the guidelines & rules, they may be summarized as follows: 

It's not about you. It's about us. 

May the above information help you to obtain maximum benefit from your Stage Confidence course. We are happy to have the opportunity to serve, and wish you new, renewed, and improved relationships from your experience. 

Course Time Commitment 

Saturday: 10:00 am – 4:00 pm  

Sunday: 10:00 am – between 4 & 5 pm 

Lunch will be provided for both days. 

Two days is certainly a very short time in which to master communication and relationships. Continual practice of the tools and concepts is the secret to success.