Double world champion improv comedian, author and high performance coach

Overview

Wade Jackson is a double world champion improv comedian, author, high performance coach and one of New Zealand's most engaging keynote speakers. The founder of The Improv Bandits and Covert Theatre and co-founder of the Auckland Improv Festival, Wade teaches the science of human behaviour through play to CEOs, executives, militaries and universities on four continents.

Who is Wade Jackson? Wade has been performing, teaching and producing improvised comedy since 1994. He won the International Maestro title at Loose Moose Theatre in Calgary in 2000 and was a member of The Improv Bandits when they took the 2002 World Cage Match Championship at the Chicago Improv Festival. He holds postgraduate qualifications in Drama and Health Science, is a clinical hypnotherapist and holds three black belts in martial arts. Wade is the creator of the Mind Dojo resilience app, and lives at Piha with newsreader Evie Ashton and their two children.

Career Highlights • Double world champion improv comedian • Founder and Artistic Director of Covert Theatre and The Improv Bandits • Co-founder of the Auckland Improv Festival and Artistic Associate of the Chicago Improv Festival • Author of bestselling books Jolt Challenge, Stories at Work and Making It Easy • Books endorsed by world-leading thinkers including Edward de Bono and Stephen Covey • Creator of the Mind Dojo resilience app used worldwide

Key Speaking Themes • Self-leadership and personal transformation • Resilience, well-being and mental fitness • Collaborative creativity and innovation through play • Storytelling, communication and connection • Building belonging and psychological safety at work

What Your Audience Will Gain Wade brings rare warmth, humour and academic rigour to every stage. Audiences leave laughing, energised and with practical tools to build resilience, creativity and connection in their teams.

Ideal For • Leadership and HR conferences • Wellbeing and mental health summits • Innovation and creativity events • Sales kick-offs and team offsites • Universities, schools and youth events

Frequently Asked Questions...

What does Wade Jackson speak about? Self-leadership, resilience, wellbeing, collaborative creativity, innovation and storytelling.

What is the Covert Theatre? The home of improvisation in New Zealand, founded by Wade in 2001. It has 80+ performing members and runs workshops, shows and a youth outreach programme.

What books has Wade Jackson written? Bestsellers Jolt Challenge, Stories at Work and Making It Easy, endorsed by Edward de Bono and Stephen Covey.

What is Mind Dojo? The resilience app Wade created, used by people around the world to build mental fitness.

What is Wade Jackson's background? Auckland-raised, with postgraduate qualifications in Drama and Health Science. He spent his late teens in Japan, where he earned two of his three martial arts black belts, and is a clinical hypnotherapist.
Is Wade Jackson available for workshops? Yes. Wade delivers keynotes, workshops and team experiences for businesses, governments, militaries and universities on four continents.