“Topher’s relaxed, low-stakes playing and coaching style has given me the space to grow as an improviser and as a person. He’s easygoing, playful, and invites my creativity! I always feel supported and I had the pleasure of playing a two-person show on the fly with Topher … he promised to hold me in the palm of his hand. And it was the greatest set ever.”
— Laura Westman
“Topher is the best.”
— Paul Laudiero
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— Pablo
“Helped me work on modulating my pace and finding the emotions & focus for character’s needs”
— Anne Polsky
“Topher is a leader on stage. A leader knows when to do things for the good of the group, but a leader also knows where a scene should go. It is Topher’s leadership in improv (and performance, generally) that lights a candle for me, and it is his relaxed demeanor in teaching that shows me how he’s able to do it.”
— Michael Cartwright
“Topher is in the top 3 of people who made me believe my own improv, that I was really in that ‘situation’ with that other person. Definitely felt vulnerable and on the edge. The only place to be in improv, I think.”
— Elizabeth Wallace
“With Topher’s direction, I have been able to recognize my strengths and tune into areas where I can develop further skills. This has allowed me to expand my range of characters, and feel more comfortable snapping into a new emotion. He is great at encouraging groups to experiment with new dynamics, such as playing low-status characters and integrating more physicality. Best of all, Topher gets you to do more than you thought you could, while having a great time.”
— Larke Williams
“Through his ‘0-60’ class, I was reinforced the notion of vehement agreement, as well as shown that an easy way to make character choices early on in a scene, is to enter with a voice.”
— Bryan Thren
“I’ve felt such great joy playing with him. He seems to gush creativity, support and humor.”
— David Johnson
“Topher challenges you to act on instincts you weren’t necessarily aware of in order to get the best possible performance out of you. It increases your confidence to know that you can access parts of yourself you didn’t even know were there.”
— Susie Gutierrez
“I have had the awesome opportunity to work with Topher in several different ways: he has coached my team, I’ve played with him on stage, and he’s directed and produced The Charlie Visconage Show. In all settings, Topher shows a passion and enthusiasm for creating something fun and entertaining — and then bettering it — for both the actors and audience involved.”
— Taylor Durant
“Participating in this workshop helped my FIST team fine tune our show format and find ways to make it fun for the us and the audience. Topher’s experience and insight into show development is high calibre. Topher’s Improv Workshop focuses on identifying personal strengths and enhancing your stage presence. I feel more confident as an improviser and a stronger troupe member. Topher approaches these workshops in a unique way by not only coaching from the outside but also jumping into the proverbial fire by performing with you. Performing with an experienced improviser like Topher shows the importance of supporting your scene partner and how improv should be fun.”
— Ian Farley
“Topher is a fierce guide to the terror and promise of the improvised moment. He can clearly articulate the blocks and paths to a genuine response to a moment for individuals and groups. The problems of the planet now demand that people work together in crisis moments to solve complex problems. Topher has helped me take theater improv techniques and use them to prepare people for disaster response. Get prepared to respond to the future and hire Topher to hone your super hero skills!”
— Mary Tyszkiewicz
“The first person that I ever took an improv class with was Topher over 10 years ago. His approach is what has kept me active ever since. He helped me to shake off that heavy layer of self-judgement and just play honestly. His approach helps you understand who you are as a person, improviser, and performer!”
— Justus Hammond
“Topher isn’t lying when he bills himself as a kickass improv coach because that’s what he is. My team made it to the final four last year and in an event like FIST, having a consistent format that your group is comfortable with is the key to getting the most out of a 10-minute show. Barring packing the house with your extended friends and family, you have to grab the audience from the off and connect if you want to give your team the best chance of having consistently solid performances. The cool thing about FIST is the opportunity to try new things but the risk is getting to far off in your own head and letting the stage time get away from you. Topher helped us get the most out of our concept by helping us focus it. Topher helped us hone our format which centered on a unique get and gave us cues that we could use to drive home our scenes which I always like to see and perform in fast paced formats like FIST. Many teams don’t regularly play together, as was the case with my team last year, so sticking to a structure helped us have a great time on stage and perform quality work. I recommend a session with Topher if for no other reason than having a second set of eyes to help you tighten up your ideas, and to help you as an overall improviser.”
— Brandon Russell
“I appreciated having Topher as a coach for my improv troupe Just Moxie. As a whole, Topher was able to assess individual strengths and weaknesses that helped guide a path towards format options for Moxie. This creativity is appreciated for a troupe looking for a second set of eyes of what is or is not reading to the audience. Topher’s coaching looks to enhance what is already there — not to take away any gifts you’re already bringing to the table.”
— Amanda Barber
“Topher has helped me to think positive. Very often, beginning improvisers tend to lean towards creating conflict, particularly, negative conflict. For example, ‘You’re ugly!’ ‘What! You’re always mean to me. I want a divorce!’ He drills positive choices even when situations call for the opposite and the result is a much more fun scene for both the players and the audience.”
— Shravan Amin
“Topher’s teaching helped me get over my fear of initiating scenes and become a bolder and stronger player. He provided tips on how to initiate without getting in my head.”
— Laura Spadanuta
“Topher has not only helped me become a better improviser, he has helped me become a better manager. I was facing a difficult situation dealing with a subordinate. While worriedly pacing on the office roof and considering my options, I imagined what sage advice Topher would suggest. Not only did I not jump off and potentially land on a lawyer walking along K Street NW, I knew I had to take the high road and be positive and let the situation play out. Two people playing tit-for-tat becomes a boring scene quickly and does not resolve issues in the real world.”
— Darian Glover
“Topher is very insightful and whenever I’m stuck he always provides me with a new and creative approach either by example or discussion.”