Koppett is a globally recognized organizational development company founded by Kat Koppett. For over 20 years, Koppett has helped leaders and teams improve performance through applied improvisation, storytelling, and facilitation training. The company delivers customized workshops, keynotes, coaching, and multi-module learning programs for organizations ranging from nonprofits to Fortune 500 companies, with facilitators operating across the US, Europe, Asia, and Canada.

What is applied improvisation?

Applied improvisation (also called applied improv) is the practice of using principles and techniques from improvisational theater to develop real-world professional skills. Unlike performance improv, it is not about being funny — it is about building the mindsets and behaviors that make great leaders and collaborators: deep listening, spontaneous thinking, accepting and building on others' ideas ('yes, and'), resilience, creative problem-solving, and presence. Koppett has been a leading pioneer in translating improv techniques into business, leadership, and organizational development contexts for over two decades.

Kat Koppett is the founder of Koppett and a globally recognized pioneer in applied improvisation. She holds a BFA in Drama from NYU and an MA in Organizational Psychology from Columbia University. She is the author of Training to Imagine (now in its 3rd edition), considered the definitive textbook in the applied improvisation field, and co-author of The Facilitation Advantage. Kat is a founding member and former Vice President of the Applied Improvisation Network (AIN) and received NASAGA's Ifill-Raynolds Lifetime Achievement Award in 2019. Her clients have included Meta, Apple, NASA, PwC, and the Clinton Global Initiative.

What programs and services does Koppett offer?

Koppett offers three main service categories: Programs — customizable interactive workshops covering applied improvisation, leadership development, storytelling for influence, presentation skills, team alignment, creative problem solving, communication, and facilitation mastery, delivered in-person or virtually; Keynotes — engaging, interactive presentations by Kat Koppett on leadership, improv, storytelling, status dynamics, and human connection; and Additional Offers — including facilitation services, executive coaching, team building experiences, and the Leading with Improvisation online course. All offerings are highly customized to the client's goals and organizational context.

Do participants need acting or theater experience to benefit from Koppett programs?

No. Koppett programs require zero acting or theater experience. Applied improvisation is not about performance — participants are never asked to put on a show or entertain anyone. Programs are designed for all comfort levels, including people who consider themselves deeply non-theatrical. The improv principles — listening, accepting offers, building on others' ideas, presence under pressure — are immediately applicable to everyday workplace interactions regardless of background.

How does Koppett customize its programs?

Every Koppett engagement begins with a discovery conversation to understand the client's specific goals, challenges, audience, culture, and constraints. Programs are not off-the-shelf — content, activities, examples, and emphasis are all adjusted for the specific group. This customization applies whether a client is booking a one-time keynote or a multi-module leadership development journey.

What kinds of organizations work with Koppett?

Koppett works with a wide range of organizations: Fortune 500 corporations, government agencies, nonprofits, foundations, universities, and professional associations. Past clients include Meta, Apple, NASA, PwC, Prezi, Eli Lilly, the Clinton Global Initiative, SUNY, and the American Management Association. Koppett programs are relevant for any organization seeking to strengthen leadership capability, team collaboration, communication skills, creative problem-solving, or facilitation excellence.

How do I book Koppett or request a consultation?

You can book a complimentary consultation by visiting koppett.com/contact or scheduling directly via the online booking link. You can also reach the team by email at hello@koppett.com or by phone at +1 (518) 847-9882. Kat Koppett books a limited number of keynotes and workshops each year to ensure every client receives a bespoke experience, so early outreach is recommended for time-sensitive events.

Koppett: Applied Improvisation Training & Consulting for Leaders and Teams.

Transformative Leadership skills

Everyone benefits from collaboration and creativity, but many teams get stuck. Improv and facilitation training has been shown to help people become more flexible, connected leaders.

Koppett is a a globally-recognized organizational development company that blends traditional tools with proven improvisation and storytelling techniques that enhance individual and group performance. Our expert communication, teamwork, and creativity programs are practical, engaging and customized, delivered in formats that suit client needs. From off-sites, to workshops, keynotes and more — there’s a reason people trust Koppett to help them take their teams to the next level.

Book cover titled "Training to Imagine" by Kat Koppett, featuring abstract artwork of two figures holding a rope in a colorful landscape.

New! Training to imagine 3rd Edition

The seminal work Training to Imagine is recognized for codifying and legitimizing the field of applied improvisation.

This updated edition published in Q4 2025 includes new stories, applications, and activities written and tested by Kat Koppett, one of the field’s pioneering founders and most respected thought leaders.

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New. World’s 1st Applied Improvisation Online training Course

Kat Koppett and Bård Brænde are leading applied improvisation practitioners. After more than a decade of collaboration they translated years of live facilitation, leadership training, and applied improv practice into a dynamic, accessible, and premium online learning experience.

leading with improvisation

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Frequently Asked Questions

Koppett is a globally recognized organizational development company founded by Kat Koppett. For over 20 years, Koppett has helped leaders and teams improve performance through applied improvisation, storytelling, and facilitation training. The company delivers customized workshops, keynotes, coaching, and multi-module learning programs for organizations ranging from nonprofits to Fortune 500 companies, with facilitators operating across the US, Europe, Asia, and Canada.
Applied improvisation (also called applied improv) is the practice of using principles and techniques from improvisational theater to develop real-world professional skills. Unlike performance improv, it is not about being funny. It is about building the mindsets and behaviors that make great leaders and collaborators: deep listening, spontaneous thinking, accepting and building on others' ideas ("yes, and"), resilience, creative problem-solving, and presence. Koppett has been a leading pioneer in translating improv techniques into business, leadership, and organizational development contexts for over two decades.
Koppett works with a wide range of organizations: Fortune 500 corporations, government agencies, nonprofits, foundations, universities, and professional associations. Past clients include Meta, Apple, NASA, PwC, Prezi, Eli Lilly, the Clinton Global Initiative, SUNY, and the American Management Association, among many others. Koppett programs are relevant for any organization seeking to strengthen leadership capability, team collaboration, communication skills, or facilitation excellence.
Koppett is headquartered in the Albany, NY area and operates globally. The company has facilitators and outposts in Asia (led by Vice President Gabe Mercado), Europe, Canada (led by Vice President Kirsten Anderson), and across the US. Koppett has delivered programs for clients across North America, Europe, and Asia.
Mopco Improv Theatre is a professional improv comedy theater in Schenectady, NY. It is Koppett's sister organization — Kat Koppett is co-director of Mopco, and Michael Burns, Koppett's Senior Facilitator, is Mopco's Artistic Director. While Mopco focuses on public improv performance and community education, Koppett focuses on organizational development and corporate training. Both are grounded in the same applied improvisation philosophy.

What we do.

We use story and improvisation to build resilient and creative leaders with exceptional communication skills. Our deliveries are highly customized to meet your specific goals and parameters. Most programs can be delivered in person or virtually.

Strengthens your creativity and collaboration with techniques and exercises proven to add muscle to your core leadership skills.

Applied Improv

storytelling

Leadership Development

Communication

Team Alignment

Facilitation excellence

How we do it.

Programs

Explore our Programs to find a wide range of interactive, customizable workshops and sessions from leadership development and communication skills to team alignment, improv-based learning, storytelling, and practical organizational tools designed to build connection, creativity, and performance across your organization.

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Keynotes

Discover our inspiring and interactive keynote sessions that blend improvisation, storytelling, and leadership insight to help your team build agility, deepen connection, and lead with confidence.

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Additional Offers

Explore our Additional Offers to discover flexible, customized offerings—from facilitation and coaching to team building and virtual experiences—designed to deepen connection, spark creativity, and support your organization’s unique goals.

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Testimonials.

"I continue to be impressed at how nimbly [Koppett] were able to lead discussions and deliver salient feedback and great perspectives, demonstrating great understanding of the subject matter and excellent facilitation skills."

Meta Participant
"Koppett provided the perfect amount of levity and succeeded in helping attendees relax and use their imaginations to visualize challenging situations through new lenses of exploration."

Helene Rosenhouse-Romeo, Provider
"Kat has a unique mix of backgrounds that allow her to add value in many different ways. Whether she is running management training, facilitating strategy sessions, or coaching senior executives, her work with us has provided practical solutions, insight, and motivation. She has had a significant impact on our developing culture."

Tobey Fitch, Head of People
"Our experience with Kat Koppett greatly exceeded our expectations. Our audience was a diverse group ranging from individuals who had never facilitated before to those who are extremely effective facilitators. Each of them walked away with many new skills that they could turn around and apply immediately. I would recommend Kat to any organization looking for an engaging and valuable skill-building experience."

Natalie Wu, USA Leadership Development
"The SAIL Institute has been partnering with the Koppett team for several years, and each engagement is designed with us in mind, meets the mutually agreed upon learning objectives and is FUN! I look forward to planning organizational and leadership development workshops with Kat and her team because they are amazingly talented and a joy to work with."

Carolyn J. Mattiske, Director of SAIL Institute & Organizational Development
"Our members and guests were truly energized by this creative and entertaining session and I happily recommend the services of Koppett for your training needs or for a motivational team-building exercise."

Will Trevor, President

About

Founded more than 20 years ago, Koppett is the gold standard in applied improvisation trainings and workshops, and is renowned for developing programs to enhance leadership, creativity, communication and teamwork.
Kat Koppett is a recognized pioneer in the field of applied improvisation. Her seminal book Training to Imagine is in its 3rd edition. She is a founding member and former vice‑president of the Applied Improvisation Network and a recipient of NASAGA’s Ifill‑Raynolds Lifetime Achievement Award.
With outposts in Asia, Europe, Canada and the US, Koppett facilitators and consultants bring their deep expertise in theater, instructional design, leadership education, organizational development, and coaching — to where it is needed.