Patricia Ryan MadsonPatricia Ryan Madson

Patricia Ryan Madson

Improv teacher who loves to paint.

Patricia Ryan Madson is the author of Improv Wisdom: Dont Prepare, Just Show Up and a professor Emerita from Stanford University where she taught from 1977-2005. In the Drama Department she served as the head of the undergraduate acting program and developed the improvisation program. In 1998 she was the winner of the Lloyd W. Dinkelspiel Award for Outstanding Innovation in Undergraduate Education at Stanford. She founded and coached the Stanford Improvisors and taught beginning and advanced level courses in Improvisation for undergraduate as well as adults in Stanford’s Continuing Studies Program. In 1996 she founded the Creativity Initiative at Stanford, an interdisciplinary alliance of faculty who share the belief that creativity can be taught. Patricia has taught Design Improv for the School of Engineering, and was a guest lecturer for the Stanford Technology Ventures Program and for the Mayfield Fellows program.

Philosopher's Notes on Patricia Ryan Madson's Books

Improv Wisdom
LockedPhilosopher's Notes

Improv Wisdom

by Patricia Ryan Madson

This is one of Steven Pressfield's favorite books. When I heard that, I immediately got it. Brilliant. Patricia Ryan Madson is Emerita of Stanford University where she taught for three decades in the Drama Department. We'll have fun looking at her 13 maxims for improv living from this quick-reading, fun, smart, practical book.