Grand Opening Weekend!
Leela Improv Theatre is launching its new theatre building in Glenwood South—and we’re inviting kind, curious, and community-minded creatives to help us kick it off in style.
Grand Opening Weekend: June 6–8, 2025
📍 309 N Boylan Ave, Raleigh, NC
Workshops • Jams • Playback • Musical Improv • Artist Networking
For over two decades in San Francisco, Leela has supported more than 15,000 students in discovering deeper creativity, authentic expression, and joyful community through improvisation. Now, we’re bringing that heart-centered, ensemble-driven approach to Raleigh.
Our new theatre building isn’t just for performers—it’s a gathering place for people from all walks of life who care about connection, collaboration, and making meaningful work. Whether you’re an artist, storyteller, musician, educator, or curious explorer—this weekend is your invitation to recharge your creativity through play.
(scroll down for all the info)
Event & Workshop Schedule:
Friday, June 6th
6:00 – 9:00 PM | Triangle Arts Mixer – FREE EVENT
Saturday, June 7th
10:00 AM – 12:00 Noon | The Character Factory – $40 Workshop
12:30 – 2:00 PM | Clown Class for the Theatrically Curious – $40 Workshop
7:30 – 9:30 PM | Open Mic / Community Jam & Pot-luck – FREE EVENT
Sunday, June 8th
12:00 Noon – 2:00 PM | Family Improv Drop-In – $10 Workshop
3:00 – 5:00 PM | Introduction to Playback Theatre – $40 Workshop
6:30 – 8:30 PM | Musical Improv Drop-In – $20 Workshop
Triangle Arts Mixer
First Friday, June 6th, from 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
FREE | Adults Only (21+)
You’re Invited to the Launch of the Triangle Arts Mixer
and the Grand Opening of Leela Improv Theatre’s New Creative Haven in Glenwood South
Join us for an inspiring evening celebrating the Triangle’s vibrant arts community. Whether you’re a performing artist, filmmaker, musician, visual artist, producer, or part of an arts organization, this event is designed to spark meaningful connections and ignite creative collaboration across disciplines.
Enjoy light refreshments and hors d’oeuvres as we open the doors to a bold new chapter for the arts in Raleigh.
FREE to attend | RSVP required | Adults Only 21+ | Limited capacity
The Character Factory
w/ Christina Stoffan
Saturday, June 7th, from 10:00 AM – 12:00 Noon
$40 | Adults Only (18+)
Ready to stop playing “yourself, but louder” in every improv scene? In this class, you’ll learn how to transform into bold, hilarious, and distinctly not-you characters—without just slapping on a funny voice and hoping for the best. Whether you want to be a grumpy sea captain, a conspiracy-theorist barista, or your mom (but, like, spookily accurate), Christina’s got you covered. Sign up and tap into your glorious, off-the-wall brilliance!
CHRISTINA STOFFAN is an accomplished improviser and educator whose work spans both coasts. She discovered her passion for improvisational theatre while earning her BA in Theater Arts at the University of Arizona, performing with the acclaimed troupe The Charles Darwin Experience. Christina went on to refine her craft in the San Francisco Bay Area, where she taught and performed with a range of respected ensembles, including a notable tenure at Made Up Theatre in Fremont, California. Now based in North Carolina, Christina is a featured performer at ComedyWorx and a faculty member at Leela Improv Theatre. Her teaching is rooted in a dynamic blend of character development, emotional depth, and spontaneous collaboration. Known for cultivating inclusive and inspiring learning environments, Christina empowers students to take creative risks, deepen their presence, and connect through authentic, joyful play.
Unlock the Art of YOUR Fool: Clown Class for the Theatrically Curious
w/ Flora Bare
Saturday, June 7th, from 12:30 – 2:30 PM
$40 | Adults Only (18+)
Come try on the smallest mask in the world—the Red Nose! This clown class invites actors, performers, and adventurous souls to explore the profound, poetic, and hilarious world of clowning. Through physical theatre and the power of presence, you’ll discover your inner clown persona and learn how curiosity and play give rise to genuine human connection and performance. Equal parts ridiculous and revelatory, this is not just comedy—it’s seeing the world through a new lens: the clown’s eye view!
FLORA BARE is a director, choreographer, performer and professor of theatre and circus arts with a focus on the collaborative process. She has her Master of Fine Arts degree in Physical Theatre from The London International School of Performing Arts. Flora is a former nine time All-American and National Champion collegiate gymnast and Cal Aggie Hall of Fame inductee from the University of California, Davis. She is a 2024 recipient of the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival Citizen Artist Award for her direction of Ricochet, with the Charlotte based social circus company, Nouveau Sud. Flora moved from Chicago to The Triangle two years ago and is currently an adjunct professor of Clown and Movement at UNC Chapel Hill for the MFA Professional Acting Training Program. She last directed Paint Me This House of Love at Burning Coal Theatre. You can read more about her work at: florabarearts.com
Open Mic / Community Jam & Pot-luck
w/ Jill Eickmann
Saturday, June 7th, from 7:30 – 9:30 PM
FREE | Adults Only (18+)
Create and connect with your improv community! Whether you’re a seasoned performer or a curious first-timer, this is the perfect place to jump in, have fun, and discover the joy of improv. Hosted by our skilled and experienced Leela faculty, this event is designed to foster a welcoming space where improv artists of all experience levels can take risks and build community. So grab your friends, bring your “Yes, And!” attitude, and come join the fun. Let’s play!
JILL EICKMANN is the Co-Founder and Artistic Director of Leela Improv Theatre, a licensed psychotherapist, and an internationally recognized leader in applied improvisation. With over 20 years of experience spanning corporate training, mental health, and the performing arts, she designed Leela’s acclaimed five-level improv curriculum and leads programs for top organizations including Google, Meta, IBM, and LinkedIn. Jill’s artistic work blends therapeutic insight with bold creative exploration, directing original formats and performing nationwide with renowned improvisers. Her mission is to empower individuals and communities through mindful, connected, and transformative improvisation.
Family Improv Drop-in
w/ Jill Eickmann, Christina Stoffan
Sunday, June 8th, from, 12:00 Noon – 2:00 PM
$10 a person | Families with children (8+)
Looking for a fun way to laugh and play together as a family?
Come join Leela’s Family Drop-In Improv Class—a playful, welcoming experience for families with kids ages 8 and up! Through silly games, storytelling, and lots of laughter, you’ll explore the magic of saying “Yes, and!” while building creativity, confidence, and connection.
This is not a drop-off event—it’s an invitation for grown-ups and kids to have fun together! Play side-by-side with your child, share joyful moments, and connect with other families in a supportive, community-centered space. No improv experience needed—just bring your imagination and a sense of adventure!
Theatre from the Heart: Introduction to Playback Theatre
w/ Jill Eickmann, Noa Roth
Sunday, June 8th, from 3:00 – 5:00 PM
$40 | Adults Only (18+)
Playback Theatre is a unique form of improvisational theatre in which audience members volunteer stories from their lives and see them played back on the spot. Performance artists utilize a range of theatrical techniques, movement, dialogue, and music to bring the shared stories to life. This dynamic, and participatory approach not only entertains but also fosters empathy, connection, and reflection, creating a collaborative and often transformative experience for both performers and audience members alike. In this interactive workshop, students will receive an introduction to playback theatre methodology and experience the beauty of using true stories as the base for improv. By exploring various playback formats and structures, actors will practice valuable skills and approaches to expand their improv artist’s tool bag.
NOA ROTH holds an MFA in film directing and a BA in Educational Theater from Tel Aviv University. Her debut documentary films were shown in Israeli TV channels. She instructs and acts in Playback theatre groups and has an extensive experience as a facilitator, teacher and director of drama groups over 30 years. Noa founded an Israeli playback ensemble as well as a led playback shows, classes and workshops in the Triangle area.
JILL EICKMANN is Leela Improv’s Co-founder and Artistic Director. Established in 2003 in San Francisco, Leela is a holistic improv training center and theatre company, now on two coasts (San Francisco and Raleigh.) She designed Leela’s 7 level curriculum focusing on Leela’s powerful mission of truthful, artistic play. Jill holds an MA in Drama Therapy from California Institute of Integral Studies where she studied playback theatre with Playback Theatre director and drama therapist, Armand Volkas. She holds a BFA in Theatre-Acting from University of Florida and is a licensed marriage and family therapist, drama therapist and play therapist.
Musical Improv Drop-In: Sound-Play Circle
w/ Christopher Eickmann
Sunday, June 8th, from, 6:30 – 8:30 PM
$20 | Adults Only (18+)
Improvised singing, add-a-part/change-a-part, call and response, a drum circle for singers, or simply vocal jamming—Leela’s Sound-Play Circle is all the good stuff! Meet new friends and unleash your creative voice through two hours of fun, improvised acappella ensemble singing. This welcoming musical improv drop-in class is open to absolutely everyone—no prior experience required. Join us and experience the joy of spontaneous musical expression. Come sound-play with us!
CHRISTOPHER EICKMANN is the Co-Founder and Executive Producer of Leela, where he has produced hundreds of original improvisational theatre productions and developed the company’s musical improv curriculum. With over 25 years of experience in the entertainment industry, Christopher has worked on Broadway, Off-Broadway, national tours, and regional theatre. He toured internationally as music director with Hyprov: Improv Under Hypnosis, performing with Colin Mochrie (Whose Line Is It Anyway) and Asad Mecci (MTV). As a Grammy®-nominated music producer, he has composed and produced music for record labels, independent artists, and film. Christopher holds an MFA in Musical Theatre Writing from NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts and has taught music composition, scoring, and production at universities across San Francisco. A lifelong improviser and multi-instrumentalist, his work bridges theatrical innovation and musical excellence.