What Participants Share About Their PlayShop Experience (see more here):

“The PlayShop was fun, I learned more about my peers & about myself. It got me energized – physically & mentally. A perfect way to get my creative juices flowing!”  

“I thought I wasn’t a creative person but I learned I am and I do it every day.” 

“After the PlayShop, I found myself taking more chances.  I joined the choir, which I have never done before. I’m celebrating my creativity in new ways!”   

“I’m so glad my partner and I took the time out to play together.  The PlayShop ignited the most interesting conversations for us – we reconnected in a new way. We’re going to keep creating together!”

“We had a chance to explore new media, work together on a group project and create our own pieces. Ally and Keara (our co-facilitators) created the opportunity for the participants to discover their own unique approach to creativity rather than guiding them in any particular direction. The workshop inspired me to allow myself more time for creativity in my life and also appreciate opportunities for being creative in everyday life. It was fun, inspiring and interesting. I highly recommend the PlayShop for anybody who wants to try something new and broaden their creativity horizons :) “
~ Kinga, Santa Cruz, CA

“SO MUCH FUN playing with you. I LOVED how you organized the training. So NOT Toastmasters. SO fresh, original, playful, empowering.”

“I experienced a shift in my beliefs about public speaking, it’s just a conversation and when I think of it that way…it’s way less scary.”  

“I have a lot more positive self-talk.  I’m more focused on mastering what is going on inside my head. I have more awareness of my voice and how I emphasize words and my volume.”

“I’ve experienced a shift in my beliefs about public speaking, it’s just a conversation and when I think of it that way it is way less scary.”

“After the PlayShop, I’m more aware of what I’m saying to myself & to others and how they respond to me.  I can change my attitude and play more and still be on top of stuff! I don’t have to be so stressed out.”

About Ally’s Creative Facilitation:

“Ally Finkel has the unique and wonderful talent of building trust, confidence, participation, and enthusiasm. During winter quarter 2014 and 2015, she worked with teaching assistants for my UCSC Transformative Action class in presentation and confidence building skills. At the end of the quarter, it was hard to believe it was the same individuals. They had blossomed into well-polished speakers with the ability to capture attention and deliver strong, powerful, and clear messages. They had truly become leaders among their peers. Anyone lucky enough to work with Ally will find it a life transforming experience.  I cannot recommend her highly enough.”
–Christine King, Lecturer & Teacher, UC Santa Cruz Kresge College, College Ten, & DANM
Co-Founder, Nonviolent Communication Santa Cruz  

“Ally is a firework of energy, love, and dynamic expression.  She fills a room with playful fun, ease, and transformative power.  Anything is possible with Ally!  Working with Ally as a co-facilitator, I felt gently buoyed towards being my best self, through encouragement, non-judgment, and the spirit of play.  Everyone in the room lit up with energy as she guided the participants through fun and powerful exercises, tactfully edging between silliness and vulnerability.  At different times, participants shared laughter and conversation, but also tears, with deep felt emotion rising to the surface.  By offering her own vulnerability, she created a space that felt safe to share and reflect, even among strangers.  Ally is a rare gem with a gift for bringing people from all walks of life together to explore what creativity means on a personal level and how to incorporate everyday creativity into his, her, or their life.  It is exciting to think how many more people Ally will inspire as she continues her journey as a creative facilitator!”
-Keara Connor, Founder & Teacher, Kaiwa Art & Play Space
Co-Facilitator, The Creativity PlayShop for Adults 

“Ally created not just a workshop, but a “playshop” that integrated creativity and play, inviting student’s imagination and authenticity to shine. She created a welcoming and safe space that led participants to dig deep and connect with their sense of self, expressing themselves both openly and honestly. Ally infused visual art, improv theatre techniques, creative writing, musical rhythm and storytelling as catalysts for creative risk taking. I truly saw students learn from one another, get inspired by one another, and overall empowered. This workshop made a real impact; nine months later we still refer to the tools Ally shared with us, and how that workshop was the jet fuel that really bonded our team together as change makers.”
– Emily Hope Dobkin, Youth Programs Manager, Santa Cruz Museum of Art & History (MAH)

“We are so thankful for the customized Creativity, Identity & Connection PlayShop you led; we think it really helped the students be so comfortable together and work so well as a team. The work we did with you has helped us work so much more smoothly as a Leadership Team and we can’t thank you enough.”
 – 2017 Subjects to Change Leadership Team

Note: Participant Testimonials gathered from anonymous post-PlayShop surveys.