Live from wherever I get this new photo taken
Richard Krysztoforski
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I majored in Cinema Studies (wild, right?) at The City University of New York and have a M.A. in Communication & Media studies from the same institution. My original plan was a PhD in Film Theory (even wilder, yes?) until I realized that what I truly loved was the collaboration that came from classroom discussions and not the isolated independent writing needed for a PhD.
I pivoted to higher education career services, mostly because I had been doing it part time and definitely because a full time job became available immediately after I received my degree. I’ve since expanded beyond higher education career services into one on one coaching, consulting, learning & development, and people ops in various industries.
Since 2011 I’ve studied improv at UCB, Reckless Theatre, HUGE Theater, you-name-it theater (not an actual theater), and other theaters across the world. I was, and still am, drawn to the collaboration of the art form and being able to spend hours in a room where everyone is funny. I immediately saw the connection between the skills needed for a successful improv scene and how they could be applied to professional, personal, and team development. I bring this human centered approach to all my projects.
I’m a big fan of humor as a catalyst to understanding and navigating complex and difficult subjects. Not the place to elaborate, but I’ve been through some incredibly difficult moments and humor has been my mainstay for survival (happy to elaborate over a chat, for real).
My approach—no matter the project—is to listen first, understand before being understood, and find the hidden points of tension behind the problem I’ve been assigned. More often than not, the presenting problem is not the true problem.
Oh, and to treat people like human beings (sometimes the wildest take of them all at some institutions, sadly).
If you’re looking to solve problems in a human way and have fun while doing it, clicking at the button at bottom of the page will set that in motion.
-Richard
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I have 17 years of experience designing and implementing impactful learning solutions across various industries.
I’m skilled at identifying organizational pain points and creating innovative learning programs that boost efficiency, increase retention, and cultivate inclusive environments.
My work spans developing global mentorship programs, leadership development, and using technology and AI to create meaningful learning experiences while balancing a human-centered design / design thinking approach.
I’m driven by empathy and a passion for crafting solutions that meet diverse needs, which has earned me a reputation as a go-to person in learning transformation.
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I’m a internationally trained improviser with 12+ years of experience.
I’ve studied and performed at Upright Citizens Brigade (NY/LA), Reckless Theatre (NY), Magnet Theater (NY), IMPRO Amsterdam Festival, and ImproFest in Gothenburg, Sweden, to name a few.
Grateful to have worked with renowned instructors such as Anders Fors (Sweden/NY), Jason Geary (Australia), Jill Bernard (Minnesota), Amey Goerlich (LA/NY), and Daniel Orrantia (Colombia).
What others have said about me:
“The glue that holds a team together.” — Anders Fors (GBG Impro, Göteborg, Sweden)
“Lightning rod that powers the scene.” — Jill Bernard (HUGE Improv Theater, Minneapolis, MN, USA)
“[Has] two types of scenes—good scenes and great scenes.” — Peter McNerney (Magnet Theater, New York, NY, USA)
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I’m a storyteller who blends humor and empathy to craft personal, yet relatable narratives.
Background in performance, comedy, and improv.
I bring my own experiences to the stage and page, creating stories that connect with people on a human level.
My focus is on sharing authentic stories about my health journey, life lessons, and the resilience we all carry, using humor to navigate through the tough stuff.
My storytelling is about vulnerability, making people laugh, think, and feel seen. I believe that comedy, with empathy at its core, has the power to create connection and spark meaningful conversations.