Merlin Works

Merlin Works has wonderful improv teachers, who helped me feel safe, have fun, and truly learn the wonderful art of improv! Techniques, skills, and strategies are clearly explained and practiced step by step. And improv itself has enhanced every part of my life.

Merlin Works is the BOMB! Amazing instructors and amazing students. I've taken Stand-up Comedy 101, Storytelling 101, and Improv levels 101 up to 601, and every class has been a rewarding and fun experience. It doesn't matter what you want to do with the experience, just get the experience, you won't regret it. The staff is incredibly knowledgeable and over-the-top supportive. I've maxed out the Improv classes, but will return soon for another Stand-up or Storytelling class!

I took online Improv 101 with Shana from mid July to August and I can attest to how amazing this course is. The biggest thing I took out of this class is how improv is not only beneficial for actors but that it applies to anyone living an everyday normal life and how important/therapeutic being present and in the moment can be. Shana was very nice, patient and fun which made the nervousness of taking improv that less scary. I recommend this course highly

Don't think about improv training as something you should do if you want to be an better actor, think of improv training as a way to be a *better person.* I took classes from Shana over a decade ago and I still use the ideas in my everyday life as a business professional, a friend, and a spouse. These programs are about how to tell stories, how to perceive others, and how you are perceived. Contact Merlin Works, you'll be happy you did!

Shana led our team of 20 through an incredible, interactive team building workshop this past week. The team was nervous about what "improv" meant, but she immediately put their fears to rest and had so much fun working on communication, collaboration, patience, being present, and so much more. It was BY FAR the best team building my team has ever done and it met and exceeded all my expectations. We plan to use some of the activities Shana taught us in our weekly staff meetings-THANK YOU! If you have a team that works closely together, get yourself booked for a fun, playful workshop with these folks, you won't be disappointed!

Okay, this may be a bit dramatic (I learned it from improv!) but Merlin Works changed my life. It provided me with an outlet to be completely myself and also pumped me up about pushing my limits all at a pace in which I was comfortable with. I started in 2008 and have on and off been taking classes over and over again with Merlin Works since. Their curriculum and their teachers are perfection. I've met literally hundreds of people because of it and have recommended this school to several of my friends who thank me for doing so. I'm currently job searching and while it's a process, I have improv to thank for feeling so secure with myself and confident in expressing my skills and traits (being an improviser is one of those that goes far in interviews!) I LOVE MERLIN WORKS!

great way to push yourself to new social comforts. We all need help to get outside of ourselves and Merlin Works is a magnificent vehicle for this. Great instructors who genuinely love this artform. I really found a place to play and grow that I did not think myself capable. I had 6 different instructors (2 per class) and each had a distinct style, not a cookie cutter platform here. Sign up and have fun. No one is judging you, and you should not judge yourself. Fail with a smile, because we all do!

I've had a long career as a television writer/producer, but a million years ago I used to do improv, and wanted to get back into. I was nervous and, frankly, a little scared. I pretty much chose Merlin Works at random. I am so happy that I did. Shana Merlin has created a wonderful environment where you safely learn to risk. No matter what your level or expertise, you will be welcomed both by the teachers and the other students. Everyone works together, and the vibe is generous. It's like a creative garden where all is nourished, and everything blooms naturally. I've been stimulated and inspired, and I can already see how my experiences at Merlin Works is transferring in positive ways to other aspects of my life. The ability of the teachers to impart their knowledge and bring the students along is impressive.

I have been taking Merlin works classes for more than 5 years and keep coming back for more! Merlin Works is an exceptional organization for teaching improv related activities, entertaining and just having fun! Shana Merlin is an amazing leader who brings deep experience and exacting organizational skills to her business. Her curricula are very well thought out and have been refined over years of experience and whole lot of happy students. You will be glad you joined a Merlin works class or had the Merlin Works Team run one of your corporate events!!

It would honestly be an understatement to say that Merlin Works changed my life. My life is clearly demarcated between the period prior to taking improv classes at Merlin Works and my world after that point. When I began looking for classes to learn improv, what immediately impressed me about the Merlin Works website was how inviting and accessible its message was. As someone who was trying to reestablish their place in the world, I needed to move at my pace, and Merlin Works allowed me to do exactly that. After you begin classes with MW, it will be the teachers and administration that keep you returning. There is a desire to make everyone feel accepted, and the pace accommodates everyone, regardless of their experience level. After I took Improv 101, my life became noticeably better in almost every way, as my community and confidence on stage grew and I forged new friendships. I completed the rest of the sequence (201-601), took Musical Improv 101, took an improv lab (Improv 412/512) 3 times, and then re-took Improv 501 and 601 with a new group of friends! Through my experiences and classes, I successfully auditioned for a local improv troupe, formed another troupe with past classmates, and perform with both groups regularly, as well as at MW events. When I started classes in January 2023, I never imagined that this would be my life a little more than 2 years later, and none of this would have been possible without the amazing classes, teachers, staff, and fellow students at Merlin Works--the best improv school in Austin!