POC Improv Drop-in
4th Saturday of every month
Why are we running these workshops?
These workshops aim to build community and increase visibility, and make space for the stories and experiences of people of colour in improv.
Whilst we try to make our venue a safe space for everyone regardless of ethnicity, we also recognise that lived experience of racism and prejudice in wider society can lead some POC to feel cautious in majority-white spaces and classes. Even while improvising, some may feel they need to keep their guard up. Code-switching and conforming to the dominant culture can also arise for POC in majority-white spaces as a way to feel safe.
Our POC workshops provide a space to experiment with improvising more freely and also to notice when we adapt or limit ourselves, in order to give ourselves more choice in improvisation. We aim to create a space where people can practise bringing their lived experience into their improvisation, within a supportive community.
A note on the term “POC”:
The Bristol Improv Theatre uses the acronym “POC” and the term “people of colour” as a generally understood term in the UK context, encompassing Black people, people of Asian heritage, and other ethnic minorities that are racialised in the UK.
We recognise that the experiences of POC are wide and varied and that not all POC are racialised or impacted by racism in the same way. These workshops are designed to allow your expression as an individual in a diverse space.
A message from the instructor
Hi there! Thanks for reading about our POC Improv Drop-ins. My name is Kierann and I’m the main instructor for these workshops. I am a mixed-heritage woman of colour, and I’ve been teaching workshops for POC since 2024. I run sessions that have flexibility to follow the interests of the group, so there is scope to get into discussion or focus on specific skills but also (and most often) I will create time and space for you to simply play!
If you want to have a chat or ask any questions before coming to this class you’re welcome to email theatreschool@improvtheatre.co.uk with POC Improv Drop-in in the subject line and I’ll try to get back to you.
This drop-in is part of Improv Together, BIT's project aimed at making improv accessible for the whole community. Improv Together is supported by more than 100 generous donors as part of The Big Give's 2026 Arts for Impact campaign. If you’d like to help BIT make improv accessible for everyone, consider making a donation to our Yes And Fund.
