Inspiration Toolkit

Imagine you are on the backline. The scene happening in front of you has reached its peak, there’s nothing left to add, and now it's time to start something new. You need to initiate, but hesitation creeps in. You’re stuck. What if your idea isn’t “good enough”? What if you have no

idea at all?

In this workshop, we’ll learn a wide variety of initiations, from the overt to the abstract. We’ll also practice supporting our brave editors in building the next scene.

You’ll walk away with an inspiration toolkit full of initiation techniques to leap into your next edit.

Artist Bio:

Estar Cohen is a comedian, educator, and award-winning musician based in New York City. After relocating from southeast Michigan in 2023, they joined the inaugural Second City New

York House Company and became a regular performer at venues including The Upright Citizens Brigade, Brooklyn Comedy Collective, Magnet Theater, and The PIT.

Cohen has performed at festivals including the Del Close Marathon, Fun and Dumb Improv Festival, Grand Rapids Improv Festival, Detroit Improv Festival, and Detroit Women of Comedy Festival as both an improviser and solo artist.

Before moving to New York, Cohen performed with house ensembles at Go Comedy! and Pointless Improv in southeast Michigan. They also held a residency at Planet Ant's Monday

Night Improv with their musical team, Jeff For No Reason.

As a bandleader and vocalist, Cohen has appeared at acclaimed festivals including the Newport Jazz Festival and Detroit Jazz Festival. Their work has been recognized by organizations such as The ASCAP Foundation and the Berklee Institute of Jazz and Gender

Justice. In addition to their performance career, Cohen is a dedicated teaching artist whose work is grounded in compassionate awareness and playful connection. They have taught improv,

songwriting, and music through their private studio as well as organizations including the University of Michigan and Youth Arts Alliance.

WORKSHOP | IMPROV | Inspiration Toolkit with Estar Cohen