Amy Marsalis began acting in local musical theater at age 10, making her stage debut in Annie. She later performed in music ensembles and discovered improv in Chicago. Now a creative entrepreneur, actor, model, producer, and teaching artist, her work spans film, television, theater, and education. With a background in corporate leadership and a passion for personal growth, Amy helps others build confidence and creativity through acting and improv.

Acting for Directors, LaRoche University

Amy is an adjunct professor at LaRoche College and teaches acting and improvisation classes to private schools, workshops, and offers private one-on-one coaching to kids through high school. These exercises, discussions, and guest workshops build confidence, empathy, and practical communication skills for film and TV.

Improv for Creative Expression & Ensemble Skills

Improv for Creative Expression & Ensemble Skills is a dynamic, playful, and highly interactive course designed to introduce students to the core principles of improvisational theater through the work of Viola Spolin and modern ensemble-based techniques. Created and taught by Amy Marsalis, this class focuses on building confidence, spontaneous creativity, and strong collaborative instincts in a supportive, judgment-free environment.

Through carefully sequenced theater games, guided exploration, and group-based scene work, students learn to trust their impulses, stay present in the moment, and respond truthfully to their scene partners. Each class blends physical warm-ups, imagination-expanding exercises, character work, environment shaping, and partner-based activities that strengthen the “Who, What, and Where” of a scene. Students develop skills in focus, listening, emotional availability, and ensemble awareness while discovering the joy of saying “Yes, And.”

Whether students are new to the stage or looking to deepen their existing performance skills, this course offers a fun, challenging, and laughter-filled space to grow as artists and collaborators. By the end of the session, participants will have sharpened their creative instincts, expanded their expressive range, and experienced the transformative playfulness at the heart of improvisational theater.