About CONNECT/THRIVE Institute

Welcome! I’m Nicole, the founder of CONNECT/THRIVE Institute.

Here, you'll discover and nurture your creative self.

Through storytelling and improvisation, you can strengthen your relationships with yourself, your loved ones, and your community. Stories have the power to shape lives and connect us to ourselves and others.

Our mission is to create experiences using story, improvisational theater, and creative projects that help you:

  • Build a deeper connection to yourself

  • Strengthen your relationships

  • Foster a sense of community

In my own life, stories have been a very impactful and important from a very early age. As a child, I remember listening intently to my mother’s stories about growing up in Central America, as a young teen sitting in a circle with a group of friends sharing about our lives, and later performing stories for audiences to explore other worlds, ideas and possibilities.

I grew up in a bilingual home, moving to the United States at the age of five from South America. I studied theater, improvisation, and storytelling in New York City with many talented teachers including Mike Nichols, Paul Sills and George Morrison.

Their teachings have shaped and inspired me to continually offer opportunities for others in creating story practices they can build and cultivate through play, movement and joyful experimentation.

Why is storytelling so powerful?

Storytelling helps us engage our imaginations, hone our listening skills, and build empathy. It supports us in connecting with ourselves and others, increases our sense of play, and promotes our creativity.

Who benefits from storytelling?

Everyone! If you interact with people in your life, you can benefit from practicing storytelling. Individuals increase their creativity. Storytelling with a partner helps you get to know them on a deeper level. Parents who share stories with their kids build stronger relationships and incorporate a sense of playfulness. Practicing story can help us interact with our co-workers and clients. By building our listening skills, we are better able to engage with our communities and the people in them.

How can you start incorporating stories into your life?

As humans, we are naturally built to connect with each other—we tell stories every day! Intentionally learning tools, practicing, and sharing stories daily gives us the opportunity to build this natural ability.

At CONNECT/THRIVE Institute, you'll have the opportunity to:

  • Unleash your creativity: Explore storytelling and improvisation in a supportive environment.

  • Deepen your connections: Strengthen your relationships with yourself and others.

  • Discover your authentic self: Tap into the power of your own stories.

I am so glad you are here! Join me and experience the joy of storytelling!