Charna Halpern
Founder
ImprovOlympic
Chicago, IL USA
“Don't be afraid to daydream...those dreams can come true.”
Videos
By Roadtrip NationCharna Halpern
Milestones
My road in life has been direct.
Thought she'd have to choose one career and it'd define who she was: "I am a schoolteacher."
Says don't be too worried about your first career choice; that first job might just be preparing you for something else down the line.
Her dad opened the first McDonald's in her hometown; she gave an interview at the grand opening.
Her interview was so engaging, the host let her interview more people; radio station ended up hiring her as a broadcaster.
Moved to Chicago for radio show; was goofing around at a party when a friend told her to audition at Second City: "I always say yes."
She "bombed" that audition, but she started taking improv classes and fell in love with it.
Ended up literally "writing the book" on improv, becoming somewhat of an improvisational "guru."
Says that people are too often focused on the money, or the "end goal"; if you want to do anything, you have to focus on the "now."
Keep following my journey
Education
High School
Bachelor
Southern Illinois University Carbondale
Southern Illinois University Carbondale
Career
Founder
I co-founded one of the most influential and first improv groups and have taught improv to many famous comedians.
Career Roadmap
My work combines:
My work combines:
Acting & Theatre
Entrepreneurship
Teaching / Mentoring
Interviewed By
Chicago - Orlando
In Chicago, the Central route team interviews Charna Halpern, founder of Improv Olympic. The Northern route team heads to Detroit to interview Grace Lee Bogs, movement activist and writer. The Southern route team continues their journey in Florida to interview Mary Spio, satellite engineer turned magazine founder.
