Current Projects

The big news for me is that in August 2024 I became the new Artistic Director of Riding Lights Theatre Company and its building Friargate Theatre. I am excited to take on this role and am looking forward to making work that explores the intersection between theatre-making, faith, community and social justice

I’ve a number of current projects in development. These include a radio sitcom - The Baroness for AUK Studios; a new audio comedy, History Misbehaves, based on archival material in partnership with York Explore and Digital Drama

I am running various one-off workshops and courses around the country. These include the Theatre Lab programme (Meisner and Improvisation) and multiple courses on Improvisation, The Improv Gym, hosted at York Theatre Royal and Friargate Theatre. I will also continue to run the regular improv courses for Converge throughout the year.

I am delighted that in the Autumn of 2023 Arts Council England awarded me my first DYCP grant to pursue my research and practice in Improvisation & Mental Health. This will enable me to work and learn from the best improvisers in the UK, New York and Chicago over the course of 2024. It is my intention to use this research, and the new skills gained, to offer my local community, and the industry, new ways to improvise and improve mental and emotional health whilst doing so.

To find out about improv workshops near you or to hire me to run an improv workshop or coach your improv team please reach out via to me at The Improv Gym.

To keep in touch for glimpses of these works-in-progess you can follow on me on instagram @paulbirchmakes and Twitter @PaulBirch5.

You can subscribe to my Substack newsletter - packed with tips and resources for making a scene below.

Image Credit James Drury