Meet MNprov

A leadership team dedicated to empowering neurodivergent individuals through the art of improv.

Michael is wearing glasses and a red shirt. He is outdoors with an arm around his black dog.

Michael Bruckmueller

  • Co-Founder, Artistic Director, and Teaching Artist

    Michael Bruckmueller is a teaching artist with more than 25 years of experience in theatrical improvisation. He holds an MFA in Theatre Pedagogy from Virginia Commonwealth University and a BFA in Theatre Performance from the University of Minnesota Duluth. In addition to being a co-founder of MNprov, Michael works as the Director of Education at CSz Twin Cities, is an adjunct professor at St. Catherine University, and is a freelance coach and instructor.

    Michael has facilitated Applied Improvisation workshops for the Autism Society of Minnesota, 3M, Cargill, Target, US Bank, Land O’Lakes, General Mills, United Healthcare, Comcast, and many more businesses and organizations.

    “It’s a sneaky way of teaching.”

    michael@mnprov.org

Kelly is wearing glasses, a blue shirt and baseball cap. She is outside with trees and a lake in the background.

Kelly Kautz

  • Co-Founder

    Kelly Kautz is an innovative, national board-certified special education teacher with more than 20 years of experience. She holds a BS degree in Special Education and Elementary Education from the University of Idaho, and an MS in Special Education from Portland State University. Kelly completed the Autism Certificate program through Hamline University in the spring of 2005.

    Kelly's interest in using applied improv to meet students' social, emotional and communication needs began in 2016, when she received a grant from the Minnetonka School Foundation to provide improv classes to her students. In 2017, Kelly started the Minnetonka High School improv club, creating an inclusive space for students to enjoy improv together. During the summer of 2018, Kelly attended a week-long improv camp for educators at Indiana University.

    “We start by accepting students as they are.”

    kelly@mnprov.org

Teaching Artists

Michael Bruckmueller

Michael Bruckmueller

“You're laughing and having a really good time, and you're working on critical things, like listening to each other, accepting and supporting each other, and building confidence.”

Philip Simondet

Philip Simondet

“Sometimes it's fun to pretend to be someone else, and sometimes it's a safe way to express aspects of yourself you've been afraid to show. And sometimes, you're a goat.”

Board of Directors

  • Kelly Kautz

    Kelly Kautz

    CHAIR

    Kelly is a National Board Certified Special Educator who retired in 2018 to co-found MNprov with Michael Bruckmueller.

  • Lindy Fischer

    TREASURER

    Lindy was a CPA in the tax practice of BerganKDV and now volunteers for People Reaching Out to People (PROP).

  • Bradley Machov

    BOARD MEMBER

    Bradley is a licensed attorney working for Thomson Reuters helping lawyers publish practice guide books.

  • Linda Peterson

    BOARD MEMBER

    Linda recently retired as a special educator at Next Step Transition and now supervises UMN preservice teachers.

  • John MacCormick

    BOARD MEMBER

    John helps run a family-owned manufacturing company. He also is an actor.

  • Ann Marie Wilson

    BOARD MEMBER

    Ann Marie Wilson is a financial advisor at Thrivent Financial.

  • Jillian Nelson

    BOARD MEMBER

    Jillian Nelson is an Autistic adult and the Community Resource and Policy Advocate for the Autism Society of Minnesota.

  • Rev. Dr. Shawn Moore

    BOARD MEMBER

    Shawn is the Director of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion for Eckberg Lammers, P.C. He has over 20 years of experience in the field of Cultural Competency, Conflict Resolution, and Community Engagement.

Standing Ovations

  • Michael and Kelly do a great job explaining how improv and games can help students with SEL. I found the entire experience fun, interesting and that it gave me tools to bring back to my organization to help my students.

    Educator

  • The instructors helped me to feel safe and comfortable leaning into activities that made me uncomfortable and drew connections between instructional targets for SEL and the improv games.

    Educator

  • I can't thank you guys enough for the most fun week of my summer! Your techniques are so engaging and ready to easily implement into the classroom on day 1. I can't wait to try these with my students!

    Carrie, Special Ed Teacher