Bobbi Block
Bobbi has been designing and facilitating professional development workshops for over a dozen years. She began her training career by teaching teambuilding skills to corporate groups utilizing improvisational theatre techniques she acquired through producing, performing and teaching with ComedySportz Improvisational Theatre Company. She then worked for Team Builders Plus, a small professional development firm outside of Philadelphia, where she complemented her interactive theatre methodology with all forms of experiential learning approaches. At Team Builders Plus Bobbi worked extensively with communication assessment tools (specifically, the DiSC) and served a variety of client levels and industries. Two years ago, her extensive performing arts and training experience led her to work as a consultant with the award-winning Boston-based training and development firm, The Ariel Group. The Ariel Group serves high-level executives from Fortune 500 companies by using theatrical approaches to teach Leadership Presence and authentic connection. Bobbi continues to work around the globe with The Ariel Group in addition to freelancing as a communication skills trainer and theatre teacher.
Bobbi received two Bachelor's degrees from the University of Pennsylvania, one in English and one in Child Development through Creative Expression. She received a Masters degree in Theatre from Villanova University, and studied with countless improvisational theatre gurus in Chicago and NYC. In addition to co-founding and performing with Barrymore Award-winning ComedySportz Philadelphia for 15 years, Bobbi currently performs with the longform improv group, LunchLady Doris (10 years), performed with the interdisciplinary improv company Playback Philadelphia for 4 years, and co-founded and performed with the body percussion troupe People Percussion Project for 3 years. Bobbi has taught Improvisation at numerous theatres and universities including The Wilma Theatre, University of the Arts, Villanova University and Temple University. She works extensively with Philadelphia Young Playwrights, teaching playwriting to young people and training teachers and teaching artists on the integration of theatre in the classroom, and from whom she received the Adele Magner Memorial Award for excellence in Collaborative Teaching.
