Improv Shows & Courses, Bristol | The Bristol Improv Theatre

‘The Mastery of Self Expression’ Taster Session
2025-02-26 19:00 - 21:45 (Europe/London) | The Bristol Improv Theatre, Bristol Improv Theatre, 50 St Paul's Rd, Clifton, Bristol BS8 1LP, Bristol, BS8 1LP, United Kingdom
Saturday 1st February | 10:00 – 12:45
Wednesday 26th February | 19:00 – 21:45
This event is run by an external organiser and is not part of the BIT’s regular Theatre School programme.
‘Take The Stage As Yourself.’
Come meet the facilitators and find out about this uniquely powerful workshop. Equal parts performance masterclass and personal development course, The Mastery of Self Expression is an intensive weekend workshop that will help you discover how to come deeply into relationship with yourself and your ‘audience’ – whether that’s formally on stage or informally in your everyday interactions.
A thrilling and affecting experience, The Mastery is not about technique but about a quality of presence – the ability to risk being authentically who you are in the presence of others. It will help you grow your capacity for creative and spontaneous self-expression, connecting you to your passions and enabling you to discover who you really are behind the ‘masks’ we all wear.
Created by producer Dan Fauci in 1977, The Mastery was originally based on training actors but quickly passed into the public arena, running continuously around the world since then; thousands of people from all walks of life have benefited from it.
‘Would highly recommend to all actors/improvisers and anyone who wants to get more and more comfortable with being their true selves on stage.’ – Mastery workshop participant
Please note: This is a Taster Session. The workshop itself will take place April 11-13th offsite in south Bristol. For info: Facebook MasteryBristol
Although free, booking is essential as places are limited.

About the Instructor
Jan Castle
Jan is a highly experienced coach and facilitator, the creator/co-creator of numerous self-development and creativity workshops including Live your Dream, The Write Space, Voicing your Purpose and The Space (follow-up to The Mastery).
She first became interested in our ability to create and ‘be’ without limitation when exploring the Art of The Fool with Frankie Anderson and Eastern spiritual traditions.
“I am fascinated by the ‘edge’ I experience in myself and others, the scary and thrilling frontier between the version of myself I think is acceptable to others, and showing up fully in all my wonderful, messy, creative humanity.”

Global Majority Improv Drop-In
2025-03-01 11:00 - 13:00, 2025-04-05 11:00 - 13:00 (Europe/London)
Saturdays | 11:00 – 13:00
(Please check the calendar below for dates of upcoming sessions)
This fun and friendly workshop for people from Global Majority backgrounds is open to all levels – you can be completely new to improv or looking to brush up on your basics and practise improv in a different context. Join instructors Aisha and Kierann to learn and practise improv skills and build your confidence in bringing your whole self to your improv practise, as well as building links with others.
Why are we running these workshops?
We recognise that the improv scene in Bristol and the wider UK is predominantly white, and does not reflect the ethnic and cultural diversity we otherwise see around us. We also recognise that when practising improv there can be a (conscious or subconscious) drive for people to conform to the dominant culture, as well as the potential for people’s (conscious or unconscious) biases to come up. Facing the latter can lead to additional emotional labour for people from historically marginalised and minoritised groups, which is, let’s face it, exhausting. This workshop will create a space that allows people to practise bringing their lived experience into their improvisation, as part of a supportive community.
Who Are these Workshops For?
Anti-racist activist Rosemary Campbell-Stephens coined the term Global Majority to refer to people who are “black, Asian, brown, dual-heritage, indigenous to the Global South, and/or have been racialised as ‘ethnic minorities'” highlighting that it is an important reframing because this demographic “represents approximately 80% of the world’s population.” The term also includes Latine, Arab and Romani people, Pacific Islanders, and other biracial or multiracial people mixed with one or more of the above-listed.
We welcome Global Majority community members from all walks of life in this space, including people who, on first appearance, may not feel or visually believe they belong in the Global Majority community. All members of the Global Majority are welcome to these sessions, regardless of their appearance. The group has been created as a space for those who can sometimes feel othered in predominantly white spaces, and we welcome you to self-identify if it is right for you.

Improv Your Perspective with Emma Boddy
2025-03-01 14:00 - 17:00 (Europe/London)
Saturday 1st March | 14:00-17:00
“Improv Your Perspective” is a dynamic workshop for those interested in both personal development and improv, and eager to explore new ways of thinking. This session encourages participants to connect through playful theatre games and exercises in groups and pairs, and incorporates Playback Theatre* forms as its central method, offering a creative way to explore a new way of seeing things. Fostering a sense of our shared humanity creates an environment where individuals can learn, grow, and have fun together while expanding their perspectives.
*What is Playback Theatre? – An original form of improv theatre in which audience or group members tell stories from their lives and watch them enacted on the spot.
What to Expect:

Fun group and pair games that provide ample opportunities for connection and creativity
Learning different Playback Theatre forms & techniques each week
Deep listening skills – learn how to extract key elements from real-life moments shared by others and play them back to honour their stories
A solution-focused mindset – understanding its benefits and how to develop it throughout the course
Learning to trust our individual and collective spontaneity, fostering creativity and collaboration within the group.
A space where individuals can embrace their imperfections, connect with others, enjoy the humour in life’s little irks, and perhaps find a new perspective along the way!

PLUS: Learn how to prime your mind for a solution-focused approach* and have fun as you explore your desired outcomes within a lighthearted and playful framework, allowing you to carry positive energy and insights into the week ahead!
*What is a solution-focused approach? – An approach that focuses on solutions and positive change to help individuals move towards a desired future outcome.

About the Instructor:
Emma is an experienced improviser, Playback Theatre performer, and Conductor. She is an active Performer with the international Playback Theatre group Story Lane. She is also a qualified Solution-Focused Hypnotherapist and Personal Performance Coach, Her collaborations include working with The ‘British Improv Project, ‘Funny Women’ and various mental health charities such as ‘Mind’ and ‘Off The Record’, as well as participating in well-being festivals like ‘Buddhafields’ and ‘Into the Wild’. Through these partnerships, Emma helps people “improv their perspectives” and discover new ways to grow, create, and connect.

Lunchtime Improv with Rebecca MacMillan
2025-03-03 13:00 - 14:30, 2025-03-10 13:00 - 14:30, 2025-03-17 13:00 - 14:30, 2025-03-24 13:00 - 14:30, 2025-03-31 13:00 - 14:30, 2025-04-07 13:00 - 14:30 (Europe/London)
Mondays | 13:00 – 14:30
(Please check the calendar below for dates of upcoming sessions)
Discover the joy of improv with Rebecca MacMillan’s lunchtime classes at Bristol Improv Theatre. These sessions are designed for creatives, freelancers, and everyone else that’s looking for a dose of joy in their day. Powerfully creative, intensely playful, and highly enjoyable, improv is a great way to boost your confidence, unleash creativity, and improve your wellbeing. You’ll experience the joy and inner playfulness that comes from improvising and challenging yourself to be in the moment! Each drop-in session is stand-alone, so you can join any Monday without needing prior experience.
“It’s like skydiving for the imagination.”

Come play, laugh, and connect with yourself and others, and leave with a lighter heart and a smile on your face.
To book your ticket, simply choose your preferred date below.

International Women's Day hosted by The Muses
2025-03-08 20:00 - 22:00 (Europe/London)
Saturday 8th March | 20:00
(Doors open 19:30)
Celebrate International Women’s Day with an all-woman line-up at the Bristol Improv Theatre, showcasing some of the Bristol improv scene’s fantastic female talent. Bristol’s own legendary all-women team The Muses are your hosts for the evening, which will also feature a team they have assembled for the evening from open auditions, bringing a new group of women improvisers to the stage. The line-up is rounded out by long-running Bristol duo Birdwatchers.
More about The Muses:
An all-star long form team from some of Bristol’s best improvisers bring you a night of fun, fancy and frolic. Improvisers from This Is Your Musical, Up The Antics, BirdWatchers, Real Positive Poles, Degrees of Error and Jazz Police will craft hilarious scenes and sketches from your suggestions.
F-rated!
More about Birdwatchers:
Birdwatchers explore the present and past of 2 characters reminiscing together. The exploratory flashbacks combine comedic elements, heartfelt scenes, and absolutely ridiculous moments that are sure to make you laugh and think that maybe your own family isn’t that weird after all.
More about the International Women’s Day team:
In order to create an opportunity to get a new all-women group onto the stage, the Bristol Improv Theatre invited The Muses to produce a team from an open audition call out, using the theatre’s rehearsal spaces to give them time to create their show. We don’t know who is in the team yet so follow us on socials to find out when the cast is announced!

Double Bill: Fabled & The Table Read
2025-03-14 20:00 - 22:00 (Europe/London)
Friday 14th March | 20:00
(Doors open 19:30)
Gather round weary travellers, for a fantastic storytelling double bill featuring London’s improvised fantasy adventure Fabled, and Bristol’s own The Table Read – exploring the film scripts that never quite made it.
More about Fabled:
The Greatest Fantasy Yet Untold!
Sit thine bottoms and open thy ears to a story so improvised, so fantasy, so…adventure…that it will feel as if you have failed a wisdom saving throw against a charm person spell.
Fabled is an entirely improvised fantasy adventure tale featuring a hilarious cast of improvisers with live musical accompaniment.
Grab a stool at the fabled tavern and join us on our quest. maybe bring a friend— after all, it’s dangerous to go alone!
★★★★
“A delightful hour of improvised theatre” – Little Lark in London
More about The Table Read:
Not every classic movie started out as a classic… As part of a touring series, the British Institute of Film is screening exclusive behind the scenes footage of the first ever script read throughs of the most famous movies in the history of cinema, as chosen by the audience! This inaugural meeting of the actors will be interspersed with early on-set tales of iconic scenes from the film, as well as some candid hidden camera footage, revealing all of the cast’s dirty secrets and hidden agendas.
Actors may be fired, directors may be questioned, and there’s probably a good reason this footage never saw the light of day until now. Come and witness the entirely improvised Table Read for all the inside scoops on your favourite movies.

La La Bar
2025-03-19 20:00 - 22:00 UTC
Wednesday 19th March | 20:00
(Doors open 19:30)

Join us at the Bristol Improv Theatre for our musical theatre open mic night with live piano accompaniment!
From performance pros to absolute beginners, this is a welcome-all night where anyone can get on stage to share their favourite songs and stories. Regale us with a classic or introduce the room to a musical they’ve never heard of.
If you’re not quite ready to jump on stage and take the mic, there are still chances to join in with the group numbers.
Friendly compering provided by Caitlin Campbell, musical stylings courtesy of Sara Garrard.
Want to sing at La La Bar? Please send your submissions to lalabarsingers@gmail.com before Saturday 1st March to be sure of your slot!
Tickets are “pay what you decide”, with a suggested donation of £5 or a supporter donation level of £10. Please book your ticket below and use the donation box to decide how much you would like to pay or book the recommended £5 or £10 donation ticket. All proceeds go to our live pianist.
We recommend booking in advance; if we reach capacity on the night we may have to turn away people who have not pre-booked.

The Improv Gym
2025-03-20 19:00 - 22:00, 2025-04-10 19:00 - 22:00 UTC
Thursdays | 19:00 – 22:00
(please see dates of upcoming events below)
Improve your improv!
In your journey through improv, it isn’t always about acquiring a new skill for your improviser’s toolkit or throwing yourself into a new and unfamiliar style of play. Sometimes you need to practise your existing skills, polish up your play, and get your reps in with some feedback/pointers and constructive critique from an expert. Enter the Improv Gym!
Part rehearsal room, part personal improv training, the Improv Gym is a facilitated space where you can work on your skills and draw upon the expertise of our experienced teaching staff. Each session will be led by a Bristol Improv Theatre Instructor who will warm you up and set you going with exercises, games, and scenes that will work on the skill areas that you want to improve, before providing individualised feedback, coaching, and critique to help you get to the next level.
If you have a particular skill or piece of work that you want to focus on, let the instructor know and they’ll tailor your session accordingly. If you’re working on something with specialised equipment, skills, or knowledge – such as puppetry, singing, dance, or any props/technical requirements – please email theatreschool@improvtheatre.co.uk ahead of time so that we can prepare everything we’ll need to support you in the session.
Each session lasts 3 hours and is capped at 8 places.
The Improv Gym is about improving the skills you want to work on – if you’re looking for something a bit more structured or just want to turn up and play, why not try our Improv Drop-ins?
To book your ticket, simply choose your preferred date below.

Glam Jam
2025-03-20 20:00 - 22:00 (Europe/London)
Thursday 20th March | 20:00
(doors open 19:30)
Did you know we’ve been nominated for an award? We’re very excited, but since we can’t take everyone to the awards ceremony we’re hosting a celebratory improv jam for those that can’t go! A bit like an awards season after party, but earlier in the evening and with more improv… Dress code: Glam but still able to Jam!
Put your name down to take part in an improv game or scene onstage, or simply sit back and enjoy the evening. Our people-on-the-inside at the Bristol Life Awards will let us know the outcome of our category later on in the night, so that we can celebrate or commiserate together!
Please choose your preferred ticket below. Donation tickets include a glass of fizz or non-alcoholic alternative on arrival! By donating, you help us to secure our future and continue offering inclusive, welcoming shows and classes.

The Improv Lab
2025-03-22 14:00 - 17:00 (Europe/London)
Saturday 22nd March | 14:00 – 17:00
Saturday 31st May | 14:00 – 17:00
Welcome to The Improv Lab! Join us at The Bristol Improv Theatre for a weekend afternoon to watch various different groups from the local Bristol improv community. For free!
These groups could be showcasing brand new shows, formats, changes to existing shows or just simply be getting in more practice. You’ll also have a chance to provide valuable feedback and help shape the shows’ futures.
The Improv Lab is hosted in the bar of the Bristol Improv Theatre. The bar will be open so come on in and enjoy a drink with an afternoon of free shows and a Jam.

Doors open at 2pm and the first show will go on at 2.20pm. When arriving, please head straight to the bar and grab a seat. Groups may be warming up at the back of the room before the show and during the interval.
For the March lab we have (order TBC):

Le Ponde – The house group that you could be in! A whimsical show about the interconnected lives of creatures and denizens of a pond.
Improv Shuffle – We play random tracks from an audience member’s most played, then we make scenes and stories based on a song! Where could your music take us? Come and find out!
Whose Rhyme Is It Anyway? A freestyle hip hop improv group. They combine scenes and games with improvised rapping.
The Big Book of Improvised Interactive Musical Stories by David Puck – viral drag sensation David Puck Drag is your living bedtime storybook. You choose the location, characters, even their decisions (warming up for their evening show also at The BIT, come along!)

If you have a show that you would like to bring to the lab, or if you’d like to get involved as a cast member, director, photographer or host please email bristolimprovlab@gmail.com or fill in this form with details of the show. To be selected, the majority of the show must involve improvisation.
Tickets are “pay what you decide”, with a suggested donation of £5. Please book your ticket below and use the donation box to decide how much you would like to pay, or book the recommended £5 donation ticket.

Double Bill: Night Fictions & The Bish Bosh Bash and Friends Presents: Story Smash!
2025-03-22 20:00 - 22:00 (Europe/London)
Saturday 22nd March | 20:00 – 22:00
(Doors open 19:30)
A double bill of interactive storytelling
Due to unforeseen circumstances, David Puck Drag will no longer be performing as part of this Saturday’s double bill. We’re pleased to welcome The Bish Bosh Bash and Friends Presents: Story Smash! in their place. They’ll bring 4 unique stories to life before your very eyes, and then it’s up to you to decide which one gets an ending!
Night Fictions will still be performing their surreal, second-person storytelling adventure, weaving improvised tales with music and soundscaping to create darkly fun and mysterious worlds.
Night Fictions
Night Fictions are a trio from Bristol consisting of Andrew Weildon-Denis, Lee Abecasis and Joe Urwin, that have been creating together for over 5 years. They combine voice acting and storytelling with an eclectic mix of music and soundscaping, to create a darkly fun and mysterious experience.
Night Fictions predominantly write and release in audio drama form, and use improv in the early stages to find ideas. The live show is totally improvised using your suggestions to weave the story world. Follow the dream-like adventures of our main character, “you”, way out into the shadowy long grass, where singing animals and entities and uncanny characters reside.
The Bish Bosh Bash and Friends Presents: Story Smash
Four directors, only one winner. Using your suggestions our directors will create 4 unique, never-seen-before stories before your very eyes. The catch? You only get to see the end of one! You decide who makes it to the end, and ultimately which director goes home with the glory!

Little Improv Festival: Track 96 present The Oracle
2025-03-28 20:00 - 22:00 (Europe/London)
Friday Headliner
Friday 28th March | 20:00
(Doors open 19:30)
As part of the Little Improv Festival, Bristol Improv Theatre is delighted to bring you a new offering from hip-hop improv superstars Track 96!
Track 96 present The Oracle – a thrilling journey into your future, revealed through the power of improvised hip-hop and rhyme.
Join London’s premier hip-hop improv crew for an unforgettable night where your destiny unfolds live on stage. Be part of an experience where freestyle meets foresight. Don’t miss this unique blend of music, comedy, and spontaneous storytelling!
And if you want to have a go at improvised hip-hop yourself, Track 96 will be hosting their Greets & Beats workshop on Saturday 29th March.
Opening Act:
The Bish Bosh Bash and Friends Presents: Story Smash!
Four directors, only one winner. Using your suggestions our directors will create 4 unique, never-seen-before stories before your very eyes. The catch? You only get to see the end of one! You decide who makes it to the end, and ultimately which director goes home with the glory!

Little Improv Festival: Improv Taster Session
2025-03-29 10:00 - 12:00 (Europe/London)
Saturday 29th March | 10:00 – 12:00
As part of the Little Improv Festival you can join us for a taster session with an experienced Bristol Improv Theatre Instructor.
This class will explore the fundamental skills of improvisation using a smorgasbord of improv games and exercises. It’s a great chance to try improv and connect with others in a playful way, taking place before our afternoon programme of shows for the Little Improv Festival.
Come along and give improv a go!
Places are capped at 20 with up to 2 instructors present.
Any questions, please don’t hesitate to get in touch at theatreschool@improvtheatre.net.
If you have any accommodations or access needs, please let us know when you book. If you are attending this class with a carer, they do not need to buy a ticket, but please do let us know so that we can keep an eye on class size.

Little Improv Festival: Track 96 Greets and Beats Workshop
2025-03-29 10:00 - 13:00 (Europe/London)
Saturday 29th March | 10:00 – 13:00
This fun, three-hour morning workshop is designed to introduce performers to the basics of freestyle rapping, helping them find their flow, work with a beat, and construct verses that enhance improvised scenes. Participants will learn hip hop fundamentals and how to initiate raps within improvisations, weaving their characters and scenes into on-the-spot creations. Whether experienced or brand new to hip hop, all are welcome to join us in Bristol.
About Track 96:
Track 96 combine hip hop and improvised comedy. Their team of 8 experienced improvisers have learned from some of the best (Northcoast, Chicago I/O, Hoopla, Maydays, The Nursery, BIP) and regularly perform across the UK. They love to put on shows and workshops that help promote this crazy thing called Hip Hop Improv.
This workshop is open to all experience levels.

Little Improv Festival: Saturday Day Event
2025-03-29 13:00 - 17:15 (Europe/London)
Saturday 29th March | 13:00 – 17.15pm
The Little Improv Festival is a three-day celebration of Bristol’s vibrant improv scene, welcoming acts from Bristol and beyond. Hosted by the Bristol Improv Theatre, this festival is dedicated to supporting the improv community and providing a platform for talented performers.
With the Saturday Day Ticket, you’ll get access to a full afternoon of improv fun on Saturday 29th March, starting at 1:00 PM:

A warm welcome and improv games to kick off the day.
A jam-packed lineup of 6–7 back-to-back performances, featuring a mix of well-loved acts and fresh new voices in improv. Performers will continue to be announced in the lead up to the festival.
Pay-what-you-decide donations, with all funds going directly to the performers, ensuring they’re compensated for their incredible talent and energy.

Please note: The Saturday Day Ticket is only valid for the daytime performances. Morning workshops and evening headline acts require separate bookings.

Little Improv Festival: Antics Joke Show Ft. The Muses
2025-03-29 20:00 - 22:00 (Europe/London)
Saturday Headliner
Saturday 29th March | 20:00
(Doors open 19:30)
Up The Antics return with their hit format of comedy variety, but this time with a twist! As the show is part of our Little Improv Festival, the whole night will be completely improvised! From the compere’s off-the-cuff banter with the audience, our guest stand-up’s improvised routine (using a random word generator) to improvised performances from The Muses and Up The Antics.
Full Line-Up:

IMPROV from THE MUSES
An all-star long form team from some of Bristol’s best improvisers bring you a night of fun, fancy and frolic. Improvisers from This Is Your Musical, Up The Antics, BirdWatchers, Degrees of Error and Jazz Police will craft hilarious scenes and sketches from your suggestions.
F-rated!*
* This is a female led and directed production.
IMPROV from UP THE ANTICS
Bristol’s own Up The Antics will be bringing their unique brand of improv silliness. Just give them a suggestion of a location and watch them fall down the rabbit hole of hilarious characters, sketches and quick wit. Come see this group that have been featured on BBC Radio 4 Extra and won awards for their online sketch content.
Leicester Square Sketch-Off Semi-Finalists
“Brilliantly Witty” ★★★★★ Inter:Mission
“Up The Antics are guaranteed to deliver a laugh every minute” ★★★★ EdFringeReview
IMPROVISED STAND-UP
Our stand-up will be improvising 10 minutes of hilarious comedy based on suggestions from a random word generator!

Little Improv Festival: Connected Improv with Rebecca Macmillan
2025-03-30 10:30 - 12:00 (Europe/London)
Sunday 30th March | 10.30am – 12pm
Improv is a co-creative art-form and not an individual sport – that can be hard to remember in scenes and on stage though! The sense of magic when two or more people are improvising in a connected way is totally enthralling to watch. In this workshop we will explore:
• Spotting how the disconnects that happen under pressure
• Quieting the parts of our brains that are desperate to make a clever and funny plan
• Deep listening and connection.
Expect slow-burn connected improv with a side-helping of possible ego-loss (in a good way).
Remember to check the time as the clocks go forward early in the morning on the 30th of March!
About Rebecca:
Rebecca is a UK based improv performer, trainer and creative consultant. She performs with Impromptu Shakespeare, Closer Each Day, The Adventures of the Improvised Sherlock Holmes and the Maydays, amongst others. stroudimprov.com/rebecca-macmillan

Little Improv Festival: Sunday Day Event
2025-03-30 13:00 - 17:15 (Europe/London)
Sunday 30th March | 13:00 – 17.15pm
The Little Improv Festival is a three-day celebration of Bristol’s vibrant improv scene, welcoming acts from Bristol and beyond. Hosted by the Bristol Improv Theatre, this festival is dedicated to supporting the improv community and providing a platform for talented performers.
With the Sunday Day Ticket, you’ll get access to a full afternoon of improv fun on Sunday 30th March, starting at 1:00 PM:

A warm welcome and improv games to kick off the day.
A jam-packed lineup of 6–7 back-to-back performances, featuring a mix of well-loved acts and fresh new voices in improv. Performers will continue to be announced in the lead up to the festival.
Pay-what-you-decide donations, with all funds going directly to the performers, ensuring they’re compensated for their incredible talent and energy.

Please note: The Sunday Day Ticket is only valid for the daytime performances. Morning workshops and evening headline acts require separate bookings.

Little Improv Festival Closing Talk, Panel & Jam
2025-03-30 18:30 - 22:00 (Europe/London)
Sunday 30th March | 6.30pm – 10pm
(Doors open 6pm)
After the success of our fantastic Panel & Jam as part of last summer’s Improv Appreciation Weekend, we’ve brought this format back to get more expert thoughts on improv, this time kicking off with a talk from David Escobedo of the Improv Boost, followed by a Q & A with a panel.
Talk: The Inclusive Origins of Improv – David Escobedo

If you have ever performed on a team where the collective has the power to contribute to the show equilaterally, you may have a lesbain couple from Chicago to thank for that. We just don’t hear about it among the swell of white, heterosexual, male teachers who tend to dominate festival circuits.
Panel: the panel will follow up on themes from David’s talk, including perspectives from UK improv and impro in theatre settings.
Jam: join the panellists for an improv jam to close out the Little Improv Festival!
More about the jam: an improv jam is an event where anyone can put their name down to take part in an improv scene or game onstage, supported by our hosts. This leads to new combinations of improvisers who may not have worked together, or even met, before, and is also open to completely new improvisers! You are also welcome to just sit back and enjoy the show.
More about our speaker:
David Escobedo has been coaching and practicing improv for over 30 years. He has trained at iO West, Second City, Westside Comedy and taken classes from teachers like Jay Sukow, Paul Vaillancourt, Tai Campbell, Katy Schutte, and Steve Green. His passion for improv includes achieving a Master’s Degree in the performing arts where he studied improv, as well as in the process of completing his doctoral thesis titled, “Improv Trains Us to See and Be Humans: how improv training carries benefits off the stage through Ensemble Collaboration.”
More about The Inclusive Origins of Improv (talk):
The ensemble practice of improv differs from the style of impro created by UK practitioners like Ken Campbell or Keith Johnstone. The more collaborative style of improv which includes tag outs, the Harold and short form games originates in social work from a practitioner sometimes referred to as “the mother of improv.” This “mother of improv” studied with Neva Boyd at the Hull House, a space designed to serve the impoverished neighborhoods of Chicago. This lecture will talk about the LGBTQi+, female and BIPOC/BAME origins of improv as it developed into the Armandos, Living Rooms and Zip Zap Zops we practice today. If you have ever performed on or watched an improv team where the collective has the power to contribute to the show equilaterally, you may have a lesbian couple from Chicago to thank for that. This lecture draws back the curtain to explain how improv began in the hands of immigrants but became dominated by the privileged.
The Panellists
Joining David Escobedo on the panel will be:
Maria Peters

When not improvising in London, Maria performs and teaches at improv festivals internationally, most recently in Estonia, Ireland, Italy, The Netherlands, Portugal & The United States. A lot of her expertise has also been gathered from world-class instructors over the years as Maria studied with: Charna Halpern, the founder of iO Chicago and author of Truth in Comedy, who originally developed The Harold with Del Close; Keith Johnstone; New York’s Upright Citizens Brigade; and The Second City in Chicago.
On top of over a decade of professional improvising, Maria is also a professional educator. Her varied career encompasses Museum Learning and Personal Professional Development Training which means she’s an expert in passing on knowledge in interactive & engaging ways.
Maria creates friendly and relaxed environments to learn in and believes in giving her students all the tools possible to find the JOY of improv for players and the audience alike.
And
Emile Clarke

Emile is a multi-hyphenated performer, LIPA trained actor, and acting coach with a passion for storytelling in all of its forms. He has worked in a number of art films, commercials and shows performing nationally at long established theatres as well as touring the UK and Europe working in children’s theatre with Disney and other companies, even winning a UK theatre award in 2018.
Emile has worked with a wide range of theatres and theatre companies as an acting teacher and coach, teaching acting for film, TV and theatre. Alongside acting he also creates as a writer, photographer, poet and movement director. He is currently Associate Artistic Director for Bet’n Lev Theatre company.
Proudly neurodivergent, Emile has a smorgasbord of heritages from Bajan, Nigerian, Irish, English to Norwegian, with a Black British upbringing.
Emile plays Alex Ledecky on Closer Each Day, an improvised soap opera and Bristol mainstay which is the world’s longest improvised story!

Apples and Pears Scratch Night
2025-04-05 19:30 - 21:30 (Europe/London)
Saturday 5th April | 19:30
(Doors open 19:00)
Join Owl on the Roof for their 3rd iteration of Apples & Pears.
We have a bill of 3 acts each sharing some new, original work. Scratch nights are really important to artists as it’s a chance to get feedback on the work they share in an unfinished, perhaps unpolished capacity.
Owl on the Roof has benefitted so much from taking work to scratch nights, getting work on its feet and hearing about what works (and doesn’t) from an audience perspective so we know how valuable these night’s can be. Come along and show your support for Bristol artists.
Entry requirements: 16+
BOOK YOUR TICKETS HERE >

Performing L2: Approaches to Scenework Student Showcase
2025-04-07 20:00 - 21:30 UTC
Monday 7th April | 20:00
(Doors open 19:30)
Come and support the students of BIT’s latest Performing Improv course as they share some of the skills they’ve been building over the 7 week course.
Our wonderful students will be improvising scenes before your eyes, with a variety of approaches and based on your suggestions.
FREE ENTRY – fellow students, family and friends welcome!
The bar will be open from 7:30pm and the show starts at 8pm. Why not join us for a celebratory drink after the show?

Scenes From Truth with Imogen Palmer
2025-04-09 18:30 - 21:00 (Europe/London)
Wednesdays | April 9th – May 21st (7-week course)| 18:30-21:00
In Scenes from Truth, we practice bringing authenticity, truth and rich moments to improvised scenes and stories. Using techniques inspired by practitioners including Nadine Antler (Wurzberg Improv), Jason Shotts (IO Chicago) and Sanford Meisner, we explore the freedom which can come when we give ourselves permission to use our own lives and memories as a starting point.
Skills we’ll cover include:

Active listening
The power of vulnerability
Accelerating connection with performers and audiences
Weaving autobiographical material into improvisation
Acting truthfully under imaginary circumstances

If you’ve been improvising for a while and want to bring truth, authenticity and groundedness to your skillset or if you are a performer new to improv who is craving a gentle way in, this course is for you. This course is not recommended for anyone who has not performed on stage before.

Improv for Fun
2025-04-09 19:00 - 21:00 UTC
Wednesdays | 19:00 – 21:00
(Please see dates of sessions in the calendars below)
This is a session where you don’t need to worry about learning performance skills or progressing onto the next course – this is improv just for fun!
While teaching our Taster Sessions and Discovering Improv classes, Anna and Cat (two of our fantastic instructors) have found that sometimes, people just want to do something FUN. So they’ve listened and developed Improv for Fun! This class is for all those people who are looking for a place to play, where you can connect with your inner-child and other like-minded individuals.
Join Anna and Cat for a session of guided improv exercises and games where you don’t have to worry about what comes next. All you need to do is turn up and be ready to play!
If you have any accommodations or access needs, please let us know at theatreschool@improvtheatre.net. If you are attending this class with a carer, they do not need to buy a ticket, but please do let us know so that we can keep an eye on class size.
To book your ticket, simply choose your preferred date below.
