About Us
Meet Jessica!
YesAnd Founder
Jessica Arjet is an owner of The Hideout Theatre in Austin, Texas and author of Conducting Chaos: A Guide to Teaching Improv to Kids and Teens.
Having grown up in community theater and performed as a professional clown for 17 years, Jessica brings elements of scripted theater and clowning to her improv instruction to make it even more powerful.
Jessica believes fervently in the ability of improv to improve the lives of kids and adults. It is her life’s mission to bring the powerful joy of improv to as many children as possible.
In 2024 she began working with theater teachers to develop useful, clear, and easy to use resources, which is how this website came to be.
The YesAnd Philosophy
At Yes And, we believe that the core principles and skills that you need to perform without a script, also help you develop deep connection and authenticity in every aspect of life.
Jessica Arjet has taught improv classes since 2006 and has seen how children grow and blossom with improv training. Shy children come out of their shells. Gregarious children develop more empathy for others. And everyone becomes more supportive of the people around them.
Why Does It Work?
Improv instruction focuses on the games as a way of building skills. Every component of good improv has several games to go with it. While playing these games the kids are having fun which allows them to learn the lessons more thoroughly. They often beg to play their favorite games over and over, which just leads to more practice of these incredibly useful skills.
Core Components of Improv:
Improv develops vital skills for any human:
- How to engage fully in the present moment
- How to collaborate through meaningful connection
- How to let go of judgement and self doubt.
- How to develop a deeply authentic voice
AND IT’S FUN!
At its core improv explores the quirky, surprising, individual creativity that every child possesses - which makes these classes truly enjoyable for everyone.
Meet The Team
We are the faces behind the curtain working to help teachers and students gain the skills they need to experience the joys of improv!
Jessica Arjet
Founder & Instructor
Katie Crain
UX & Product Design
Kayleigh Malik
UX & Web Design
Get in Touch
If you have any questions, comments, or requests, please reach out to us!
