TAKING THE STAGE
Improv Club Builds Confidence Through Creativity

At Sertoma Star Services, we help our consumers lead a life that is meaningful to them. That means working closAs David places the helmet over his head, his inhibitions slip away. Suddenly he is no longer standing in a library meeting room. He is an astronaut battling an alien on a distant planet. Laughter and cheers of encouragement fill the room as David fully steps into his “new” role. The energetic atmosphere of spontaneity is contagious, and for the next hour the group can be creative and free.

Welcome to Improv Club, an inclusive theater experience hosted once a month at the Homewood Public Library and led by Chris Rechsteiner, POMS Interviewer at Sertoma Star Services.

“Everyone has a place on stage at Improv Club,” says Rechsteiner, who designs improv prompts for performers of all abilities, including neurodivergent participants and seniors. The sessions bring together community members, consumers from Sertoma Star Services, and staff. Getting up on stage is never required. Those who prefer can participate from their seats and still enjoy the laughter, creativity, and connection the activities provide.

For Rechsteiner, the goal is simple: help others shine.

“As the facilitator, I get things rolling, but it is the participants who truly make it great,” she says.

During a recent session, the group imagined catching objects falling from the sky and then sharing what they had caught. Responses ranged from airplanes and elephants to birds and various foods. When one confident consumer shouted out “money,” the room erupted in an enthusiastic roar of laughter and approval.

For some consumers, the idea of improv can feel intimidating at first. But with encouragement from staff and fellow participants, many find the confidence to join in. In one scene, staff member Ami played a talk show host interviewing a lineup of leprechauns, superheroes, and musicians, all portrayed by consumer performers. Having a familiar face on stage helped ease nerves and created a welcoming space to explore creativity together.

Moments like these reveal the true magic of Improv Club. In that shared space of imagination and laughter, participants are not defined by their challenges. Instead, they are storytellers, performers, and collaborators. Through creativity, connection, and a willingness to play, Improv Club gives everyone involved the chance to experience confidence, community, and the freedom to be themselves.

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