Seattle Ed Tech Meetup

“There’s no such thing as a good decision. Just make a decision and make it good.”
—Charna Halpern, co-creator of long-form improv (she literally said this to your host, Kelly)

What does improv have to do with education and technology?
A lot, actually.

Improv helps us become better listeners, more confident communicators, more adaptable collaborators, and more creative problem-solvers. It teaches us to make decisions without having every answer, build on other people’s ideas, recover when something doesn’t go as planned, and create environments where people feel safe enough to participate.

Those skills matter in classrooms, startups, creative teams—and nearly everywhere else.

But this isn’t a lecture about improv. We’re going to do it!!! Jump in and try. Learn skills in communication, negotiation, confidence, and leadership.

No audience. No stage. Everybody plays—including you!

This is a real Chicago-style improv jam, inspired by the kinds of jams held at iO, the Annoyance, and Playground Theater. We’ll warm up together, break into groups, jump into scenes, and perform.

You’ll learn by doing.

Never done improv?
Great.

Been performing for years?
Even better.

Educators, founders, technologists, facilitators, performers, and curious humans are all welcome. The only requirement is showing up ready to jump in, support your scene partners, and play.

You’re welcome to arrive as early as 3:30 p.m. to cowork, use the free Wi-Fi, enjoy the amazing views, meet people, or settle in before we begin. Please arrive before 6:00 p.m., when the building doors close.

About your host:
Kelly Kirk studied improv acting at iO, the Annoyance, and Playground Theater in Chicago, along with theaters around the world.

She has trained under Charna Halpern, Bill Arnett, Curt Mabry, and many others.

Kelly is an internationally touring improviser, professional stage, film, and voice actress, ensemble performer, jam host, and educator with more than 12 years of experience. She has taught over 10,000 students and holds a 4.9/5 teacher rating.

When: Mondays, 5:30–7:00 p.m.
Where: SURF Incubator, 999 Third Avenue, Suite 700, Downtown Seattle
Cost: Pick your price—$5 to $25 per week

Free for current SURF and SWELL members

No commitment. No prerequisites. Just show up and get ready to perform.

Come have fun, take a creative risk, and grow your confidence, communication skills, adaptability, and community—one scene at a time.

Children’s Media Creators Coworking
Are you creating a children’s book, show, game, video, curriculum, animation, podcast, product, or other form of media for children and youth?
Come work alongside other people building in the same world.

Children’s Media Creators Coworking is a casual, focused coworking and accountability community for writers, illustrators, animators, educators, filmmakers, game designers, musicians, curriculum developers, founders, and other people creating media and edutainment for children.

This gathering is primarily for adult creators making things for children. (It is not a children’s activity or class.)

What happens?
We’ll begin with a brief check-in:

• What are you creating?
• What do you want to accomplish during this session?
• Are you looking for feedback or collaboration—or uninterrupted focus?

Then, we work.

Bring your laptop, manuscript, notebook, sketchbook, storyboard, curriculum, headphones, or whatever else you need to move your project forward.

You are welcome to:

• Work independently
• Meet other children’s-media creators
• Exchange ideas and useful resources
• Ask for feedback
• Find potential collaborators
• Continue an existing project
• Finally begin the idea you keep postponing

You do not need to have a finished product, established company, or formal creative title.

You only need something you care about creating for children—and a willingness to give it focused time.

Near the end, we’ll briefly regroup to share what we accomplished, identify our next steps, and ask for feedback, information, or collaborators when useful.

This is primarily coworking—not a workshop, presentation, or high-pressure networking event.

Come make progress while gradually getting to know the other people in Seattle who care about making better things for children.

What can I work on?
Anything related to creating for children, including:
📚 Books and stories
🎬 Film, television, video, and animation
🎮 Games and interactive media
🎵 Music, podcasts, and audio
🎨 Illustration, characters, and visual development
🧠 Curriculum, educational products, and edutainment
🧸 Toys, learning products, and children’s brands
💼 Business plans, marketing, funding, and production strategy
You may also use the session for administrative or professional work connected to your creative business.

Schedule
Attend one session, join us occasionally, or make it part of your weekly creative routine.

You may arrive late or leave early. Please simply keep disruptions minimal while others are working.

Pricing
Early-Bird Registration: $10
Day-of Registration: $15
Current SURF and SWELL Members: Free (just show up!)

Early-bird pricing ends one day before each session.

Admission includes the hosted coworking and accountability session, workspace, Wi-Fi, power, snacks, and complimentary coffee.

Advance registration is appreciated so we know how many creators to expect.

Location
SURF Incubator
999 Third Avenue, Suite 700
Seattle, Washington 98104
SURF is conveniently located near Symphony light-rail station and multiple bus routes.

A parking garage is located in the building. Guests who arrive before 6:00 PM can receive a flat $10 parking rate.

Children’s Media Creators Coworking is hosted by Kelly Tutors with support from SURF Incubator, Sound Startups, and The SWELL.

Kelly Kirk is an author, content creator, teacher, and children’s educator working to grow Kelly Tutors into a children’s media and edutainment company. She created this group to make consistent progress on that work while connecting with other Seattle creators making thoughtful things for children.

Bring your work.

Leave with progress.

“There’s no such thing as a good decision. Just make a decision and make it good.”
—Charna Halpern, co-creator of long-form improv (she literally said this to your host, Kelly)

What does improv have to do with education and technology?
A lot, actually.

Improv helps us become better listeners, more confident communicators, more adaptable collaborators, and more creative problem-solvers. It teaches us to make decisions without having every answer, build on other people’s ideas, recover when something doesn’t go as planned, and create environments where people feel safe enough to participate.

Those skills matter in classrooms, startups, creative teams—and nearly everywhere else.

But this isn’t a lecture about improv. We’re going to do it!!! Jump in and try. Learn skills in communication, negotiation, confidence, and leadership.

No audience. No stage. Everybody plays—including you!

This is a real Chicago-style improv jam, inspired by the kinds of jams held at iO, the Annoyance, and Playground Theater. We’ll warm up together, break into groups, jump into scenes, and perform.

You’ll learn by doing.

Never done improv?
Great.

Been performing for years?
Even better.

Educators, founders, technologists, facilitators, performers, and curious humans are all welcome. The only requirement is showing up ready to jump in, support your scene partners, and play.

You’re welcome to arrive as early as 3:30 p.m. to cowork, use the free Wi-Fi, enjoy the amazing views, meet people, or settle in before we begin. Please arrive before 6:00 p.m., when the building doors close.

About your host:
Kelly Kirk studied improv acting at iO, the Annoyance, and Playground Theater in Chicago, along with theaters around the world.

She has trained under Charna Halpern, Bill Arnett, Curt Mabry, and many others.

Kelly is an internationally touring improviser, professional stage, film, and voice actress, ensemble performer, jam host, and educator with more than 12 years of experience. She has taught over 10,000 students and holds a 4.9/5 teacher rating.

When: Mondays, 5:30–7:00 p.m.
Where: SURF Incubator, 999 Third Avenue, Suite 700, Downtown Seattle
Cost: Pick your price—$5 to $25 per week

Free for current SURF and SWELL members

No commitment. No prerequisites. Just show up and get ready to perform.

Come have fun, take a creative risk, and grow your confidence, communication skills, adaptability, and community—one scene at a time.