RESPONDING IN CHARACTER W/ WILL LUERA

About this Class

Great scenes don’t come from explaining what’s happening, they come from characters who know exactly how they feel about it. In this workshop, we’ll explore how to respond fully through character while simultaneously framing the scene for your partner and the audience. Participants will work on trusting their character’s point of view as the primary storytelling engine, learning how authenticity, specificity, and emotional commitment naturally establish context. We’ll examine how scenes gain clarity not from control, but from listening, reacting, and making bold, human choices. By the end of the workshop, performers will feel more confident allowing character to do the heavy lifting, creating scenes that are clear, grounded, and deeply engaging without sacrificing truth or play. BIO: Will Luera is the Executive Director of Lifeline Productions and Director of Training at DreamLarge, where he integrates improvisational techniques into immersive training and social impact initiatives. He also leads Big Bang Improv, a global touring ensemble known for high-energy, multilingual, and cross-cultural performances. Will is Artistic Director Emeritus of ImprovBoston and a conflict mediator specializing in equity and inclusion within organizations. With over two decades of international performance and teaching experience, Will has trained students across North America, South America, Europe, and Asia. He co-created Healing Moments for Alzheimer’s, blending improv and caregiving, and continues to work with nonprofits focused on education, reentry, and youth empowerment. His work bridges art, education, and advocacy—fostering connection, creativity, and community through improvisation.