mini-GRITI 2026
mini-GRITI Guidelines and Schedule
Welcome to mini-GRITI 2026, our first virtual conference launching the Global Research Institute for Theatrical Improvisation (GRITI). Here are some guidelines to make this the most enjoyable, informative experience for all.
For all attendees:
The schedule will run continuously, with short breaks after each talk. The short breaks are designed to give participants a chance to talk to each other or to go off screen to take care of something they need.
Since we are in different time zones, we will not break for any meals – or have any breaks longer than 15 minutes. It is understandable that some participants may have meals off camera at the time of their choosing during the meeting, or leave early, etc. In any event, you are free to attend or not attend the portions of the meeting and with this knowledge you can prepare your schedule ahead of time to maximize your experience.
We will have a diverse group of attendees. In keeping in line with the non-discrimination stance of GRITI to a diverse audience from around the globe. Let’s make every effort to be inclusive. If we fail short of this goal or fail to appreciate an aspect of inclusivity, we will do our best to give grace and address the issue. We will strive for a learning culture in GRITI (as opposed to a cancel culture). Comments of this nature can be sent to our general email during or after the meeting. They will more likely than not, be addressed after the meeting – not during.
We will take a picture of the attendees of this virtual meeting that may end up on our website or in other organizational materials. We will announce this before the picture is taken so if you DO NOT want to be in the picture you will have a chance to turn off your camera. This may happen a couple of times throughout the presentation and we will announce it each time. If you DO want to be in the picture, come with the look you want for the picture.
For presenters:
Please practice ahead of time in order to time so that you are able to clearly convey the information you want to include – within the time limit. We will do our absolute best to keep the schedule on track, but we are counting on individual presenters to bring their best game (that is help us keep everything on schedule).
The audience will be diverse in many aspects, but most noteworthy – linguistically. Strive for clear, simple, and inclusive language.
mini-GRITI 2026 Schedule
12:00 PM – 12:10 PM | Opening Remarks
12:00 PM – 12:10 PM | Opening Remarks by Mathieu Hainselin
12:10 PM – 01:00 PM | SESSION 1
12:10 PM – 12:12 PM | Introduction by Mathieu Hainselin
12:12 PM – 12:22 PM | Sirke Seppänen | From Stage To Lab: The Psychophysiology Of “Yes, And” Vs. “Yes, But”
12:24 PM – 12:34 PM | Petro Janse Van Vuuren | Stori Improv Mapping: A Framework For Navigating Cultural Complexity And Systemic Shift In Postcolonial Organisations
12:36 PM – 12:46 PM | Ekin Doğa Kozak | Improv And Psychological Symptom: A Pilot Study From Türkiye
12:48 PM – 01:00 PM | Combined Panel Q&A
01:00 PM – 01:50 PM | SESSION 2
01:00 PM – 01:02 PM | Introduction by Marine Jouin
01:02 PM – 01:14 PM | Paul Rabenowitz | Applied Improvisation In The Development Of Financial Planners’ Relational Skills
01:14 PM – 01:26 PM | Nathan Keates | The Benefits And Experience Of Improv Comedy For Autistic Adults
01:26 PM – 01:38 PM | Laura Berkemeyer | Creative And Healthy Through Improv: Effects Of Training Improvisational Theatre On Creative And Work-Related Self-Efficacy And Self-Esteem
01:38 PM – 01:50 PM | Combined Panel Q&A
01:50 PM – 02:10 PM | Break #1 with Breakout Rooms
02:10 PM – 03:00 PM | SESSION 3
02:10 PM – 02:12 PM | Introduction by Margarita Reina
02:12 PM – 02:24 PM | Shoshi Keisari | The Cognitive And Neurophysiological Effects Of Theatrical Improvisation
02:24 PM – 02:36 PM | Judit Fekete | When Status Walks Into The Room: What Seven Years Of Applied Improvisation In Healthcare Education Taught Us About Hierarchy And Learning
02:36 PM – 02:48 PM | Miriam Stein | Does A Short Improv Session Enhance Reappraisal Creativity For Regulating Emotions? Evidence From A Controlled Experiment
02:48 PM – 03:00 PM | Combined Panel Q&A
03:00 PM – 03:50 PM | SESSION 4
03:00 PM – 03:02 PM | Introduction by Peter Felsman
03:02 PM – 03:14 PM | Daniela Landert | Linguistic Approaches To Theatrical Improvisation: The Case Of Stylistic Variation In Humour
03:14 PM – 03:26 PM | Jean-Pierre Pelletier | Testing Of A Training Scenario, Consisting Of Improvisation Exercises, For The Development Of Interactive Skills Among Teachers In The Process Of Professional Integration
03:26 PM – 03:38 PM | Mary DeMichele | Getting The Brain Back Online: How “Yes, And” Helps Individuals With Developmental Trauma Reconnect, Learn, And Heal
03:38 PM – 03:50 PM | Combined Panel Q&A
03:50 PM – 04:10 PM | Break #2 with Breakout Rooms
04:10 PM – 05:00 PM | SESSION 5
04:10 PM – 04:12 PM | Introduction by Matt Berry
04:12 PM – 04:24 PM | James Mourey | Improvisation As A Developmental Creative Process: Creativity, Resilience, And Well-Being Across Stages Of Improv Training
04:24 PM – 04:36 PM | Mary Lemmer | Improving Physiology With Improv: How Improvisational Comedy Impacts Sleep, Energy, Connection, And Well-Being
04:36 PM – 04:48 PM | Peter Felsman | Improvisational Theater Training’s Associated Outcomes: A Scoping Review
04:48 PM – 05:00 PM | Combined Panel Q&A
05:00 PM – 05:50 PM | SESSION 6
05:00 PM – 05:02 PM | Introduction by Kristin Krueger
05:02 PM – 05:14 PM | Gianfranco Baldeon | Predictive Model Of Ambivalent Sexism In People Who Do And Do Not Practice Theatrical Improvisation
05:14 PM – 05:26 PM | Stefan Scherbaum | Does It Work And How? Effectiveness Of Improv And Potential Mechanisms Of Change For Mental Well-Being And Therapy/Therapy Education
05:26 PM – 05:38 PM | Combined Panel Q&A
05:38 PM – 05:50 PM | Thalia Goldstein | Improvisational Exercises In Theatre Classes: Timing And Acting Habits Of Mind
05:50 PM – 06:00 PM | Closing Remarks and Event Wrap-Up
05:50 PM – 06:00 PM | Closing Remarks by Kristin Krueger