The Improv Gym
#workoutyourjoy
The Improv Gym is a series of workshops and courses devoted to the craft of Improvisation. It covers everything from Short-Form Games to Long-Form Shows. Learn to craft hilarious comedy and heart-breaking scenes. The workshops are designed and facilitated by Paul Birch who has learned and worked with improvisers from all over the globe for over 20 years. Check out our upcoming courses, workshops and jams below. Whether you are new to improv or wanting to take your skills to the next level - then join The Improv Gym and ‘Work out your joy’
Courses and Workshops 2024
The Improv Gym: Scene Change
Scene Change is the perfect way to raise your Improv Game. In these 3 sessions we will take improving beyond Core Skills and focus on specific feedback for each individual improviser on how to raise their improv game. We will use tools, tricks and tips from some of the best improvisers in the world to help you make sensational scenes in whatever show you are in.
Session dates:
Wednesday 3rd July
Wednesday 17th July
Wednesday 24th July
7.30 - 9.45 @ Friargate Theatre. £30 for all three sessions.
The Improv Gym: July Jams!
AN IMPROV JAM IS WHERE A BUNCH OF IMPROVISERS (OF ALL LEVELS AND ABILITIES) COME AND PLAY
Yep, that’s it. Come down to the Improv gym, meet fellow improvisers, and squeeze some joy out of a bunch of games and scenes. Low pressure but highly entertaining. Everyone more than welcome and there might even be cake….
Session dates:
Wednesday 3rd July
Wednesday 17th July
Wednesday 24th July
6.00 - 7.30 @ Friargate Theatre.
The Improv Gym: Improvise A Show
JOIN THE IMPROV GYM AND LEAD HOW TO IMPROVISE A DIFFERENT LONG-FORM SHOW EVERY WEEK.
These fun summer sessions are a chance to play in a different way and discover the tools to improvise a 30 minute show from scratch. Every week will explore a different classic improv format: An Armando, A BeerSharkMice, A Shotgun and A Montage. Drop in for one or come for all four – this is the perfect way to keep the creative muscles working with low stress. No lines, no scripts just lots of joy…
The course is led by improviser and facilitator, Paul Birch, who trained at the legendary Second City and I.O. He created the long-running improv show Right Here, Right Now and regularly performs with Yorkshire’s own Fool(ish).
Session dates:
Thursday 01 August
Thursday 08 August
Thursday 15 August
Thursday 22 August
7.30 - 9.30 @ York Theatre Royal. £12 for each workshop or all 4 for £44.
The Improv Gym: Who’s Play Is It Anyway?
THIS COURSE IS A CLASSIC INTRODUCTION TO SHORT-FORM IMPROVISATION.
Learn improv games and skills that will help you develop as an improviser whilst giving you lots of joy along the way. The best way to bust stress and bring the laughter this autumn. There will also be the option to create and perform an end of term show to delight your friends and family. Early booking is advised.
The course is led by improviser and facilitator, Paul Birch, who trained at the legendary Second City and I.O. He created the long-running improv show Right Here, Right Now and regularly performs with Yorkshire’s own Fool(ish).
Session dates:
Thursday 12 September
Thursday 19 September
Thursday 26 September
Thursday 03 October
No Session 10 October
Thursday 17 October
Thursday 24 October
7.30 - 9.30 @ York Theatre Royal. £75 for complete course
Previous Workshops and Courses 2024
The Improv Gym: Core Skills
The programme of (jam-packed and joy-stuffed) workshops will teach the fundamentals of improv through to the creation of a fully-improvised performance. It will use a combination of short-form games and exercises to train the creative muscles necessary for successful improvised performance. We will cover creativity, collaboration and community, commitment, character and, of course, comedy.
The Core Skills course runs at York Theatre Royal on Thursday nights from 11 April - 09 May from 6.00pm - 7.30. For more information click here.
The Improv Gym: Play To Perform
THE IMPROV GYM ‘PLAY TO PERFORM’ COURSE IS DESIGNED FOR ANYONE WITH PREVIOUS IMPROV TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE LOOKING TO BUILD ON THEIR CORE SKILLS.
These five weeks will explore different long-form scene based shows (La Ronde, The Harold and Montage) as well as sharpening skills and strategies for performing short form games. Move as a player from the heart-felt to the hilarious as you level up your improv performance!
The Play to Perform course runs at York Theatre Royal on Thursday nights from 11 April - 09 May from 7.45pm - 9.45. For more information click here.
The Improv Gym: Jam!
AN IMPROV JAM IS WHERE A BUNCH OF IMPROVISERS (OF ALL LEVELS AND ABILITIES) COME AND PLAY
Yep, that’s it. Come down to the Improv gym, meet fellow improvisers, and squeeze some joy out of a bunch of games and scenes. Low pressure but highly entertaining. Everyone more than welcome and there might even be cake….
The Jam! runs at York Theatre Royal on Thursday 23 May from 7.30pm - 9.30. For more information click here.
Free Sign Up
For early booking information and other free improv resources sign up to The Improv Gym mailing list here: