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Our Courses
Here at the Bristol Improv Theatre, we believe that learning should be fun, inclusive and holistic. So we have created a flexible and extensive programme of improv courses for anyone and everyone to discover improv in their own way.
While our courses are designed for progressive skill building, there is no mandatory path through the levels, you can chart your own map. So, if you are a complete beginner it means that once you are off the starting blocks with our improv tasters or our level 1 Discovering Improv Course there are no hurdles to jump before you can move on. Our amazing instructors will work with you and support you to find your best next steps. Choose courses that allow you to follow your favourite content, revisit the basics or move into higher levels of content that you feel comfortable with from previous learning.
Bristol Improv Theatre School courses aim to give everyone a total immersion into the world of improv. Our regular courses are the core of what we do, they are heaps of fun; they can offer personal growth and the perfect place to make new friendships. Our drop-ins, specialist courses and intensive weekends with expert instructors give you every chance to regularly try something new and exciting.
Discovering Improv is a six-week course that introduces you to the fundamentals of improvisation. It isn't a course about performance - you won't be asked to entertain the group with your quick wit, or produce side-splitting comedy out of thin air - instead focusing on improvisation as the skill of working without having planned in advance, responding in the moment, and collaborating with a team.
Emphasis is placed on reflection and discussing your experiences with the group - improvisation can be deeply personal and individual, and it's important to recognise that everyone experiences it differently.
This course is the very first improv course we developed and taught - it's where we began and is the best place for anyone new to improvisation to start their journey (or just find out what improv is).
Each session lasts 2.5 hours (usually 7:00pm-9:30pm), and will be taught by two of our experienced facilitators. Places are capped at 16.
Intro to Performing Improv is a six-week course that bridges the gap between Discovering Improv and our performance-focused courses. It builds on the basic principles of improvisation to guide students on their first steps into the world of performance.
This course aims to give new improvisers who might not have performance experience tools to navigate the pressures of working in front of an audience, and a chance to try performing in a supportive and friendly environment.
Each session lasts 2.5 hours (usually 7:00pm-9:30pm), and will be taught by two of our experienced facilitators. Places are capped at 16.
Performing Improv Level 3 is a series of 4 seven-week courses, each focusing on a different topic: Scenes, Stories, Songs, and Characters. The 7th week includes a showcase performance to a supportive audience of friends, family, and fellow students.
Together, these courses offer the budding improviser a thorough grounding in the tools and techniques of improvised performance, but each will also stand alone for those who are more closely interested in a specific topic.
Each session lasts 2.5 hours (usually 7:00pm-9:30pm), and will be taught by two of our experienced facilitators. Places on courses are capped at 12.
Performing Improv Level 4 is a series of seven-week courses that examine the Level 3 topics in greater depth, covering more advanced techniques and placing greater emphasis on constructive critique of students' work. As with Level 3, the seventh week of each course includes a showcase performance to a supportive audience.
You don't need to have completed the corresponding Level 3 course to sign up, or have any specific level of previous experience, but Level 4 courses are somewhat more challenging.
Each session lasts 2.5 hours (usually 7:00pm-9:30pm), and will be taught by two of our experienced facilitators. Places are capped at 12.
As well as courses we regularly offer specialist Level 4 workshops with visiting and resident instructors. These are for students looking to explore specific aspects of improv and are always very popular.
Guest workshops and intensive courses allow you to explore new improv ideas, forms and specialist areas.
We invite guest instructors and well-known improvisers to bring their inspiration to courses - one offs, intensive weekends and more.
Level of improv experience required for each course will be stated in the course details.