Shana Merlin is a nationally recognized improvisational performer, trainer, and teacher. Awarded “The Best Improv Teacher” and “Best Female Improviser” by the Austin Improv Collective, Merlin has been doing improv professionally since 1995. She’s performed in Amsterdam, Calgary, Seattle, and Atlanta. She co-founded Austin’s Ladies Are Funny Festival and started Merlin Works in 2003, providing custom training, interactive presentations, and comedy shows to organizations using improvisation. She serves clients such as Apple, HP, Dell, Whole Foods, Four Seasons, and Advance Auto Parts. Some of her most requested programs are team building, communication, sales, persuasion, leadership, and creativity. In 2008, she founded The Merlin Works Institute for Improvisation, offering classes in improv comedy to adults.