Actress Donna Haley to conduct improv workshop for teens

Warwick - Actress Donna Haley, director of Warwick’s MCC Actor Training School, will conduct a workshop in improvisation skills for local teens on Friday, Dec. 14, from 4-7 p.m. The workshop, in cooperation with the Albert Wisner Public Library, will be held in the Senior Center next to the Warwick Town Hall on Kings Highway. All teens, ages 13-18, are welcome. Local residents may remember the talented cast of young actors from Warwick that formed the popular improvisation troupe, JABBERWALK, which Haley directed for three years. “The improvisation skills workshop,” said Haley, “will cover many of the skills and theater games we used to develop our JABBERWALK shows. It will be an evening of fun and exploration. All you need to show up with is your enthusiasm.” Haley said she believes in the innate talent everyone has to express themselves in improvisation. “After all,” she said, “it is the way our lives are. We really never know what’s going to happen next and we have to improvise all the time.” Haley explained that the skills of a good improvisation actor are centered around listening, expressiveness, true give and take as well as being able to confidently assert yourself and speak your philosophy. “These are skills that are needed in life, in school, in business, and, of course, on stage,” she said. Haley has decided to take a brief hiatus after serving for 10 years as director of MCC Actor Training School. “I’m now teaching globally,” she said, “by using the same acting techniques I’ve used in my school to teach communication skills, relationship building, and presentation skills. My students are adults, who may have missed the opportunity to go to acting class but now find they need the same skills to be successful in their professions.” Haley works with leaders and senior managers from Fortune 500 companies and government agencies as well as with executive education programs at Columbia, Harvard, Duke and Kellogg. “But my heart is in Warwick and with the students here,” she said. “It is my connection to the community, and very important to me. The talent and dedication in Warwick are tremendous.” Haley said that she is delighted to be conducting this program through the library and in the near future she will be conducting other workshops for adults as well as teens. “We all need to break out of our shells, play again, improvise, and see what we can create simply through communication and fun,” she said. To sign up for the upcoming Improvisation workshop, visit or call the Albert Wisner Library at 986-1047.