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Stories from our students

Most students who walk into Saigon Improv House claim they don’t have an “artistic bone” in their body. They come to unwind after work, take the pressure off socializing, and rediscover simple, carefree joy.

Improv students holding their certificates and taking a group photo in the classroomLoving it so much!
Who learns here?

All walks of life, all ages

From 15- and 16-year-old high schoolers to a student in her late 50s. You don’t need to know how to act—just bring yourself and step into the circle.

PR specialist

Came to class when her thinking felt stuck in a rut, her reflexes slowed down, and her energy ran dry.

3D game engineer

Used to computers and algorithms, he joined to open up to people and bring improv into his creative work.

Special education teacher

Wanted to let go of the pressure to always have it together, and embrace making mistakes so she could better support her students.

Researcher

Often trapped in pre-calculated thoughts, she came to break out of her head and truly listen to her teammates.

Student in her late 50s

The oldest in class, yet never shies away from any exercise and jumps right in with a “yes, and” to whatever prompt the audience throws out.

Young student from Hóc Môn

Commutes three hours round-trip every session just to step into a judgment-free space.

Before class

Familiar fears

  • Afraid of messing up, saying the wrong thing, and embarrassing yourself in front of strangers.
  • Afraid of freezing up because you think you’re slow on your feet or not funny.
  • Afraid of having to force a performance when you’re introverted and crowd-shy.
  • Afraid of not keeping up because you spend all day working with machines and data.
After the course

Five takeaways

Yes, and…Accept and build on what’s there instead of saying “No, but…”.
Try less hard, dare to failTreat mistakes as openings for new possibilities.
Deep listeningStay present with the person in front of you and stop rehearsing your next line.
Relax your body and emotionsPlay freely and look people straight in the eye.
Make your partner shineGreat scenes come from lifting up your scene partners.
Stories of change

Four stories from the studio floor

AnbyTrang
Office worker · “not an artistic bone in my body”

Before joining the class, Trang had been through two stressful years. She always wanted to control everything and was terrified of stepping onto the stage—afraid of saying the wrong thing and looking foolish. Session by session, she learned to let go of control and embrace both her own imperfections and her teammates’.

“For me, learning improv wasn’t just about laughing until my jaw hurt, having fun, or performing—it was a journey that helped me get through tough times, learn to let go, open up, and connect more deeply.”
Nguyễn Việt Hải
Young scientific researcher

Hải was used to calculating, rehearsing his words before speaking, and often getting stuck in his own head. Improv pulled him out of that mindset. He now feels comfortable even when he isn't at the center of attention, and finds joy in supporting his scene partners.

“Improv did a brilliant job of pulling me out of that train of thought that felt like a runaway water park slide.”
Ngân Bùi
Teacher for teens with intellectual disabilities

In the classroom, Ngân used to feel pressured to always be polished and exemplary, and she was terrified of freezing up in front of others. In improv class, her scene partners never left her behind. Ngân brought that “dare to make mistakes” spirit back to her own classroom.

“So besides being a polished, exemplary teacher, I need to nurture my creativity, stay open to who I really am, and embrace the spirit of ‘daring to make mistakes.’ Improv helped me do that.”
Thư
Seasoned PR specialist

After many years in PR, Thư felt her thinking boxed in, her reflexes slowing down, and her energy draining away. She came to class just hoping to blow off steam after work, and was surprised to find her imagination refreshed and her connection to herself restored.

“After years in PR, I started feeling my thinking getting rigid, my reflexes slowing down, and my spirit running on empty... BUT I never expected this to become one of the most rewarding experiences of my life...”
Real messages

From people who’ve been there

“I’m often late for math, physics, and chemistry, but for improv class I tell the motorbike taxi driver to hurry up so I can get there on time.”

Vy, high school student in Hóc Môn

“Thank you, Vân—our class is what keeps me balanced. I love it so much, I wish I could take class every week for the rest of my life :-)”

Hà Tú Chi, student since the early days

“After every class, I never want it to end and just want to keep learning. Coming to improv class has made me reflect on so many things about life.”

Trang, went from audience member to completing 3 levels

“Wait, why have you barely scolded me this week, Mom, and why are you being so sweet?”

Child of a student, after an intensive week

“I travel 24km one way to get to class, yet on the way home I'm always so full of energy (to the point I can't sleep).”

A student whose wife signed him up for class

“I thought I was already a good listener, but today's session showed me just how hard deep listening really is.”

Ân, “Be the Ultimate Teammate” workshop

“…for the longest time, most of the time I wasn’t listening—I was just… waiting for my turn to speak.”

Ken, weekend class student

“Improv didn’t just help me express myself better—it changed the way I look at life.”

Jenny, Level 1 student

“…the truth is I’m here to work on my weaknesses, because I want to stop trying so hard and feeling so tense when talking to people.”

Thắng (Xù Bơ Bơ), Level 1 student

“Top things that are super hard to explain after taking the class: improv... all I know is you laugh a lot, meet cool people, and feel yourself grow and heal.”

Hồng Phúc, student

“I almost skipped class several times today because I was sick, it was raining, and I live far away. But I decided to go anyway because our class is what I look forward to most all week!”

Saturday afternoon Level 1 student

“This is the first time I haven’t looked at my phone for two hours without feeling restless…”

Student after their first Level 1 session

“…when I’m improvising is when I feel most at peace, not worrying about the past or the future. I just focus on the present…”

Student living with social anxiety

“Now I can look people right in the eye and face comfortably without coming across like I’m scrutinizing them.”

C., Level 1 student

“Improv nurtures mental health like a gentle remedy that sinks in deep”

Phương Trúc, mother working in healthcare

“My teacher believes in me more than I believe in myself.”

Việt Hải, Saigon Improv House student

Your turn to step into the circle

Pick a class or a taster session to write your own story.