Step Into the Spotlight

Imagine standing with a group of strangers on a stage together, ready to perform a scene, with no script in hand, and only using improvisational skills. To some, this scenario may be intimidating, while to others, it’s a chance to express themselves creatively. At UnScripted Productions, students of all ages can take improv classes, resulting in lasting friendships, nonstop laughter, and increased confidence.

“What improv does is teach things like self-confidence, social awareness, listening, effective communication, and acceptance,” says Will Dennis, founder and lead facilitator of UnScripted Productions. “People who take classes are able to reconnect with a piece of themselves they hadn’t touched for a while.”

Dennis had a passion for theater from a young age, and he was introduced to improv in high school. After graduating college, he pursued acting locally and started teaching some improv classes for a theater in Montgomery County. Seeing his students learn improv skills and gain a renewed sense of confidence from his teachings pushed him to open a studio solely dedicated to improv.

“I want to pass this on to as many people as possible,” Dennis says. “Our approach is to help people show up better in the world, for themselves and others. Where other improv companies may be performance-centric, comedy-centric, we treat those as amazing byproducts of being human-centric, which allows our students to be better improvisers and better humans.”

Opening Doors to Creativity

UnScripted Productions initially opened in Newtown in 2018, but once Covid hit, they went online. In 2021, Dennis decided to re-open a brick-and-mortar studio in Washington Crossing. He says this location is accessible to so many towns in Bucks County and across the river.

“Throughout Bucks County, there are all these pockets of creativity,” he says. “We looked at Washington Crossing because it’s got beauty, it’s got charm, it’s got history, and it also puts us in the center of a community that can draw from other communities.”

Upper Makefield resident Kevin Parham has been taking classes for the past three years.

“I saw an ad for UnScripted Productions and signed up wondering what Bucks County can do for improv,” he says. “When I took my first class, I was like, ‘Wow,’ and I’ve taken every class they’ve offered. I love the spontaneity, the challenge, the skills you develop. It’s so much fun. It’s incredible to have something like this so close.”

When introducing the art of improv to people, Dennis says he uses reference points such as the shows “Whose Line Is It Anyway?” or “Curb Your Enthusiasm.” This art form is learning to work without a script, usually through gameplay.

The studio offers classes ranging from beginners to higher levels where people perform in front of audiences. There is short form, which is mostly gameplay, and long form, where people are creating something out of nothing over the course of 10 to 15 minutes. No matter what class or skill set you choose, improv provides a safe and hilarious environment for all.

“The nature of the unknown allows for laughter to come,” Dennis says. “Part of the magic of improv is that it makes you feel safe, and then you experience the joy of laughter. The nature of the games we put people in, especially giving adults permission to play again, results in organic belly laughs. It’s a celebration of laughter that you don’t get in most outlets.”

Dennis is a high-school teacher, and he started an improv club at his school. He also offers studio classes geared toward children and teenagers because he has found improv helps adolescents with their social and emotional skills.

“It’s amazing how this affects young people, especially in a screen-centric world,” he says. “This opportunity to come together with their peers—a lot of times they have never met before—to put the phone down and to have screen-free interactions is one of the most beneficial things you can do right now.”

Leading With ‘Yes, and…’

Within the first year of opening UnScripted Productions in Upper Makefield Township, Dennis was asked by a friend to bring his improv skills and teachings to his friend’s workplace. This first venture was wildly successful, and Dennis has now facilitated workshops for thousands of employees at pharmaceutical companies, corporations, nonprofit organizations, and schools.

Improv skills can be utilized in the workplace to help resist burnout and build trust among co-workers and clients.

“There’s a phrase in improv, ‘Yes, and…,’ and it’s sort of the core building block for collaboration,” Dennis says. “The desired outcome for these various organizations is how to show up as a better team and improve leadership and communication. They tend to be the big three things we work on.”

Dennis encourages both introverts and extroverts to experience an improv session. He says the start of a new year is the perfect time to try something different. Besides learning new skills, many of his students who have met at the studio are now close friends.

“We often talk about how our improv class is the best class you never knew you needed,” he says. “It’s perfect for people who want to cross something off their bucket list or fulfill a New Year’s resolution because it stays with you forever.”

UnScripted Productions student Nicole Zamerovsky comes up with an adventure goal at the beginning of each year, and trying an improv class was one of them. “I went to one class, loved it, and then kept signing up,” she says. “It’s just fun, creative, a great outlet socially, a great stress relief, and I’ve made a lot of new friends. Will is amazing—he creates a supportive, inclusive environment and really fosters a sense of community.”

Confidence in Action

Dennis’ experience being onstage came in handy recently when he had the opportunity to be a contestant on “Wheel of Fortune.” He has always been a fan of the TV show, and his wife encouraged him to apply. After a three-year process, he was asked to go out to Los Angeles last May. His episode aired in September 2025, and he took home $10,000.

As for the future of his improv business, Dennis plans to continue to grow his studio offerings and his team-dynamic work with companies and organizations. He has experienced teachers working with students, and some have gone on to perform at improv theaters in New York City.

“The idea of coming together around something like laughter and play has been transformational for so many people,” Dennis says. “The opportunity to do something that is creative, freeing, and builds connection is such a gift.”

Dari Kotzker resides in Bucks County with her husband and four kids. She has worked as a reporter in television news and print media since 2001.

Photographs by Jennifer Janikic Photography