STANFORD IMPROVISORS

SImP ALUMS

MISSION & PURPOSE

SImpAlums exists to connect, support, and sustain the spirit of the Stanford Improvisers—on campus and beyond—while honoring and extending Patricia Ryan Madson’s legacy.

We gather online quarterly and reunite in person after major events, cultivating community across generations of SImps. Like the original Guardians, we’re committed to:

  • Building and preserving institutional memory

  • Supporting regular reunions and intergenerational connections

  • Creating a small reserve fund to seed future gatherings

  • Providing small grants to help current SImps bring in outside teachers (e.g. from BATS and other improv institutions)

  • Ultimately, establishing an endowment—modeled after Ram’s Head—to support a permanent lecturer or artist-in-residence role, ensuring improv remains a living tradition at Stanford

  • Everything we do is designed to further the playful, generous, and transformative work that began with Patricia—and carrying it forward, together.

Ongoing Projects

1. Living Alumni Directory

Goal: Create and maintain a centralized, regularly updated directory of SImps past and present.

2. SImp Stories Digital Archive

  • Goal: Invite SImps to document and share their experiences and memories in a collaborative format.

  • Before the next reunion, launch a shared Google Doc or form

  • Optional prompts for reflection, photos, stories, or improv “origin tales”

  • Will serve as both a historical archive and a living community scrapbook

3. Quarterly Online Gatherings

  • Goal: Maintain regular touchpoints for connection, sharing, and updates.

  • Rotating facilitators or themes (e.g. “What’s bringing you joy?” or “Favorite improv game lately”)

  • Opportunity to share updates on reunions, funding, and alumni news

  • Zoom logistics and facilitation guide in progress: email tokyovince at gmail for more information 

4. Reunion Support and Succession Planning

  • The goal is to make reunions easier to plan, more inclusive, and more sustainable by documenting and sharing best practices.

  • See Reunion Planning Manual concept below 👇

✅ 2001: 10th SImps reunion organized by Jenn Chou and Mandy Khoshnevisan

✅ 2005: Unofficial SImps reunion for Patricia's retirement 

✅ 2011: 20th SImps Reunion organized by Mona Thompson and Sophie Carter-Kahn

✅ 2016: 25th SImps Reunion organized by Megan Calfas and Lianna Holston 

✅ 2023: 32nd SImps Reunion organized by Jessia Hoffman and Will Setrakian 

2026 April: 35th SImps Reunion organized by TBD (seeking volunteers!)

  • 2031: 40th SImps Reunion organized by TBD

  • 2036: 45th SImps Reunion organized by TBD

  • 2041: 50th SImps Reunion organized by TBD

Reunion Planning Manual

A practical guide for joyful, low-stress, high-impact reunions. 

A Living Document – Last Updated [by SImp # on Insert Date]

Purpose

  • To support SImps who take on the rewarding task of organizing reunions by offering a structured, flexible playbook that reflects our mission of continuity, celebration, and connection.

  • This manual helps each new team avoid reinventing the wheel—so you can focus more on creativity, community, and yes… play.

1. Vision and Purpose

  • Celebrate our shared history and joyful traditions

  • Connect alumni across generations

  • Strengthen intergenerational bonds and stewardship of the SImps legacy

2. Planning Timeline

  • Recommend 12–18 month lead time

  • Sample milestone checklist

  • Planning calendar with key deadlines

3. Roles and Responsibilities

  • Core team: Lead Organizer, Logistics, Programming, Finance, Comms, etc.

  • Subcommittees: Housing, Transportation, Media, Inclusion

  • Clear handoff process to next team for succession continuity

4. Logistics

  • Venue selection (Stanford campus, off-campus options, hybrid models)

  • Housing: hotels, host homes, Airbnbs

  • Group meals and potluck planning

  • Transportation, parking, and accessibility logistics

5. Programming

  • Sample schedule (arrival night mixer, improv jams, sharing circles, workshops, etc.)

  • Optional intergenerational activities (story circles, mentorship games)

  • Showcase or performance (optional and low-pressure)

6. Promotion and Communications

  • Save-the-date, invitation, RSVP system

  • Channels: Email, Slack, social media

  • Branding and tone suggestions

7. Registration

  • Google Form or event platform (e.g. Eventbrite)

  • Suggested sliding scale or pay-what-you-can

  • Gather dietary/accessibility info

8. Budget and Finance

  • Sample budget template (venue, food, supplies, etc.)

  • Suggestions for shared costs, donations, or reserve use

  • Reimbursement process

9. Media and Documentation

  • Shared photo and video folder

  • SImp Story booth or audio/video archive

  • Consent language and opt-out options

10. Legacy and Handoff

  • Post-event feedback form

  • Handoff doc for next organizer

  • Update this manual with lessons learned

important urls

Follow Simps on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/stanfordimprov/  

SIMPS website https://www.stanfordimprovisors.com/ 

Sign up for the current SImps email list https://linktr.ee/stanfordimprov