Work That Brain Out: A 6 Week Course on Communication, Collaboration, and Cognitive Fitness
Monday, Nov 2, 2026 @ 7:00 PM EST • Multiple prices
Dates
Description
Your brain is a muscle. Like any muscle, it gets stronger when you exercise it and weaker when you don't. This 6 week class is a workout for your brain.
Work That Brain Out is a six-week interactive course that mixes the lessons of neuroscience with the fundamentals of improv to make your brain work up a good sweat. Each week we explore a different aspect of our brains and they work, work for us, and work with others. A small group of people, a low-pressure room, and six weeks of exercises designed to make everyday life sharper, warmer, and more connected.
Most of us spend very little time actually training the brain we use every single day. This course changes that. Six weeks of science-backed, genuinely fun exercises designed to sharpen your attention, quiet the voice that says "couldn't shouldn't wouldn't," and trim the fat your brain has accumulated through underuse.
This course is for anyone who wants to practice thinking more clearly, connecting more easily, or simply feel more comfortable being themselves around other people. Whether you come for the brain stuff, the social skills brush up, or just a genuinely good time with interesting people, you will probably leave with all three and more. Those things are more connected than they sound, and six weeks is enough time to feel the difference. Let's work that brain out!
Work That Brain Out is a six-week interactive course that mixes the lessons of neuroscience with the fundamentals of improv to make your brain work up a good sweat. Each week we explore a different aspect of our brains and they work, work for us, and work with others. A small group of people, a low-pressure room, and six weeks of exercises designed to make everyday life sharper, warmer, and more connected.
Most of us spend very little time actually training the brain we use every single day. This course changes that. Six weeks of science-backed, genuinely fun exercises designed to sharpen your attention, quiet the voice that says "couldn't shouldn't wouldn't," and trim the fat your brain has accumulated through underuse.
This course is for anyone who wants to practice thinking more clearly, connecting more easily, or simply feel more comfortable being themselves around other people. Whether you come for the brain stuff, the social skills brush up, or just a genuinely good time with interesting people, you will probably leave with all three and more. Those things are more connected than they sound, and six weeks is enough time to feel the difference. Let's work that brain out!
COURSE OUTLINE
- Week 1: Presence & Focus - Checking your phone. Thinking about it when it's not on you. The phantom vibrations. Losing time to endless scrolling and feeling guilty about it. It's not your fault. The people behind the algorithms are using brain science against you. Start to take back your attention, relearn how to be in the moment, and stop practicing distraction.
- Week 2: Listening & Responding - Most of the time we are not truly listening. We are waiting for our chance to talk. They say something, your brain gets a sense of what's happening, and you shift into thinking about your reply before they even finish talking. This week we practice full body, patient listening.
- Week 3: Memory & Pattern Recognition- Forgetting names, losing your train of thought, can't remember if you binge watched that show or not? These are signs of an undertrained brain, not necessarily an aging one. This week we put neuroplasticity to work, using the same type of exercises now being used in therapeutic programs for people living with dementia and Alzheimer's.
- Week 4: Positivity & Support - Your brain believes what you tell it and it responds to how others treat you. This week we start building the habit of thinking better about ourselves and showing up better for each other. Your brain cannot distinguish the difference between a fact and a thought, so let's start thinking some more positive facts.
- Week 5: Quick Thinking & Adaptability - You are mid-conversation and someone says something unexpected or you're at work and someone does something that was not supposed to happen. Your mind goes blank. You laugh it off, but later you replay it wishing you had said something different, or anything at all. A brain that has been trained to adapt does not freeze. It finds an alternative or weaves in the unexpected. This week we work on that reflex, building the neural flexibility that turns uncertainty from a threat into an opportunity.
- Week 6: Collaboration & Play - Genuine play is one of the richest cognitive experiences the brain can have. It demands presence, quick thinking, support, and connection all at once. Sound familiar? This week we bring everything together and do what the brain was always meant to do. We show up for each other, we get a little ridiculous, and we let the brain remind us what it feels like to be fully alive in a room full of people.
Your instructor for this course is Rachel Semigran, longtime improv instructor. Fair warning: Rachel is not a neuroscientist or a doctor or a therapist. She is, however, a great improviser and communicator and will be a great guide through this course.
📲CONNECT WITH US!
If you'd like to sign up for our newsletter you can do so here. If you're on social media you can follow us on Instagram, Threads, BlueSky, Facebook, Tik Tok, and LinkedIn. Our newsletter and social media are always the first stops for us to post new classes, discount codes, and other special offers.
💳 PAYMENT OPTIONS
Want to split your tuition into smaller payments? We’ve got options! At checkout, select “Pay With Payment Plan” to see available plans. If you have any questions email classes@xroadscomedy.com.
CLASS BUNDLE DISCOUNT
Taking two or more classes in the same session? You may be eligible for 15% off the total, regular price of enrollment! Includes core program courses 1-4 in Improv, Stand-up, Sketch Writing, or Storytelling. To take advantage of this discount offer please email classes@xroadscomedy.com before you enroll so we can get you set up.
REFER A FRIEND AND EARN A BONUS!
Bring a friend along for the fun! If you refer someone to one of our intro classes, and they enroll, you’ll each receive a $25 Crossroads Comedy Theater gift card good toward future classes or shows. Intro classes are classes with a “1” in the title, such as Improv 1, Writing 1, Musical Improv 1, or Stand-Up 1. Once they enroll, email classes@xroadscomedy.com and CC the person you referred, or the person who referred you. We’ll issue the gift cards within a few days after the class begins.
CODE OF CONDUCT
It boils down to this: Treat people with respect. We do not tolerate hateful, discriminatory, or disruptive behavior. Behavior that is racist, misogynist, ableist, homophobic, transphobic, ageist, or any other unacceptable behavior not here mentioned will result in removal from the class. We strive to be inclusive of all experiences. We are always learning and aim to keep the class safe and respectful for everyone. The use of recreational drugs, illegal drugs, and/or alcohol is not permitted during class. The use of substances in class or the impact of prior usage exhibited in disruptive ways in class may result in your removal from class. For full details of this policy, please review the FAQ on the Classes page.
REFUND POLICY
All Crossroads Comedy Theater class sales are final. Please review all class dates, performance dates, policies, etc before enrolling. For full details of this policy, please review the FAQ on the Classes page.
CROSSROADS @ WORK
Improv is not just for individuals. Organizations of all shapes and sizes partner with Crossroads to instill imperative business skills. Our customized applied improv workshops give you and your coworkers a chance to examine personal and group dynamics, focusing on practical skills like listening, sharing, leadership, being bold, conflict resolution, and working as a team. Our workshops are perfect for any group. Whether you are marketing professionals, sales teams, nonprofit volunteers, lawyers, c-level executives doctors, layers, doctorlawyers, lawoctors, nurses, athletes, circus clowns, and everything in between. Call us today and let us show you how we can help your team. Crossroads is also available to come to your for a one of a kind performance! Check out our business improv page for more information.
PRIVATE PERFORMANCES
Crossroads is now available to come to your organization or gathering for a special performance! Stand-up, improv, storytelling, or a mix of that and more are on the table for your event. Our most popular option makes you and your guests the star of the show! Three to five of your guests will tell stories that will inspire the hilarious scenes to follow. It's part tribute, part roast, and all in good fun. Imagine an anniversary party where people tell stories about the couple that are then used to create a hilarious, heart warming, and inspiring show just for you and your guests. That's the power of what we can do. Check out our hire us page for more information.
If you'd like to sign up for our newsletter you can do so here. If you're on social media you can follow us on Instagram, Threads, BlueSky, Facebook, Tik Tok, and LinkedIn. Our newsletter and social media are always the first stops for us to post new classes, discount codes, and other special offers.
💳 PAYMENT OPTIONS
Want to split your tuition into smaller payments? We’ve got options! At checkout, select “Pay With Payment Plan” to see available plans. If you have any questions email classes@xroadscomedy.com.
CLASS BUNDLE DISCOUNT
Taking two or more classes in the same session? You may be eligible for 15% off the total, regular price of enrollment! Includes core program courses 1-4 in Improv, Stand-up, Sketch Writing, or Storytelling. To take advantage of this discount offer please email classes@xroadscomedy.com before you enroll so we can get you set up.
REFER A FRIEND AND EARN A BONUS!
Bring a friend along for the fun! If you refer someone to one of our intro classes, and they enroll, you’ll each receive a $25 Crossroads Comedy Theater gift card good toward future classes or shows. Intro classes are classes with a “1” in the title, such as Improv 1, Writing 1, Musical Improv 1, or Stand-Up 1. Once they enroll, email classes@xroadscomedy.com and CC the person you referred, or the person who referred you. We’ll issue the gift cards within a few days after the class begins.
CODE OF CONDUCT
It boils down to this: Treat people with respect. We do not tolerate hateful, discriminatory, or disruptive behavior. Behavior that is racist, misogynist, ableist, homophobic, transphobic, ageist, or any other unacceptable behavior not here mentioned will result in removal from the class. We strive to be inclusive of all experiences. We are always learning and aim to keep the class safe and respectful for everyone. The use of recreational drugs, illegal drugs, and/or alcohol is not permitted during class. The use of substances in class or the impact of prior usage exhibited in disruptive ways in class may result in your removal from class. For full details of this policy, please review the FAQ on the Classes page.
REFUND POLICY
All Crossroads Comedy Theater class sales are final. Please review all class dates, performance dates, policies, etc before enrolling. For full details of this policy, please review the FAQ on the Classes page.
CROSSROADS @ WORK
Improv is not just for individuals. Organizations of all shapes and sizes partner with Crossroads to instill imperative business skills. Our customized applied improv workshops give you and your coworkers a chance to examine personal and group dynamics, focusing on practical skills like listening, sharing, leadership, being bold, conflict resolution, and working as a team. Our workshops are perfect for any group. Whether you are marketing professionals, sales teams, nonprofit volunteers, lawyers, c-level executives doctors, layers, doctorlawyers, lawoctors, nurses, athletes, circus clowns, and everything in between. Call us today and let us show you how we can help your team. Crossroads is also available to come to your for a one of a kind performance! Check out our business improv page for more information.
PRIVATE PERFORMANCES
Crossroads is now available to come to your organization or gathering for a special performance! Stand-up, improv, storytelling, or a mix of that and more are on the table for your event. Our most popular option makes you and your guests the star of the show! Three to five of your guests will tell stories that will inspire the hilarious scenes to follow. It's part tribute, part roast, and all in good fun. Imagine an anniversary party where people tell stories about the couple that are then used to create a hilarious, heart warming, and inspiring show just for you and your guests. That's the power of what we can do. Check out our hire us page for more information.
Location
Asian Arts Initiative, 1219 Vine Street Philadelphia, PA 19107 - PA
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