My name is Victoria, I am the CEO and teacher of Maiysternia Impro School based in Lviv, Ukraine 🇺🇦 (Facebook). I have been doing improv theatre for the last 12 years. IMPRO is my job and my life. I want our school, which we have been building for the last 6 years, step by step, to continue working, even during a full-scale war.
Maiysternia Impro is a school of improvisation based in Lviv, Ukraine. Since 2018, we have been teaching people to improvise. We inspire them to become the best version of themselves and eliminate blocks and fears: over 500-course graduates and thousands of enthusiastic viewers.
At the beginning of the full-scale war, our school was a shelter for displaced persons. For 2 months we worked as a shelter, helping everyone we could. Then the government said that everyone who could work should work, and we resumed work. All this time we have been helping the army. We donate part of the funds from each improv show, and we hold additional meetings. We have already collected 813,322 UAH to help the army. But we also need help.
Our improv community is now living in very difficult circumstances: Today is the third year of the full-scale war that Russia started. Air raid alerts, missile strikes, and financial difficulties. But despite everything, we continue our work. We believe improv can help mental health during war. We want our students to keep creating and improving their artistic skills.
Unfortunately, some of them refuse to participate in improv courses due to financial difficulties, even though they have the desire and potential. That's why we decided to establish a scholarship for our most promising students so they can develop their talents.
💡 The idea for this improv scholarship appeared when one of our students decided to cover the cost of a course for someone who couldn't afford it at the moment.
Here is a comment from one of them (the person wished to remain anonymous):
"For me, it wasn't just money. It was hope. It was support. It was a sign that there are people who believe in you more than you sometimes believe in yourself. It's important to know that even when you don't see a way out, there is someone who is ready to help you."
For the last 3 years, we have been working in conditions of full-scale war, and we want to continue. We want to create improv courses and shows further.
Thank you for all your support! For every post and kind word. Please stand with Ukraine!