The Improv Your Writing workshops are designed for writers of all levels. No acting or improv experience is required. The only pre-requisites are imagination and a willingness to engage with your creativity and your classmates.

“I’m a [insert genre] writer, writing a [insert format]. Is this for me?"

 If you write, you’re welcome here! We welcome writers working in any genre, and any format, be it comedy sketches, a novel, screenplays, stage plays, or audio drama. The exercises specifically genre- and format-agnostic, except when we play with genre for fun.

"Do I have to be an actor?" / "Do I have to be funny?"

No. The requirement to act, be funny, or come up with jokes on the spot will be downplayed here. This isn’t improv training for performance, though it may well inspire you to try that. This is improv to support your writing. That said, our workshops have elicited lots of laughs, even from students who would not describe themselves as funny.

 Improv Your Writing workshops will teach you how to:

• make improvisation (with yourself or others) a regular part of your writing process
• challenge your Inner Critic, the voice that says things like "That won't work!" or "That's too silly!"
• get out of your own head to respond authentically
• write dialogue that propels your story without being a lifeless exposition dump
• avoid genre clichés and overused tropes
• develop engaging characters with primary, secondary (and tertiary!) traits… and probably some quirks, secrets, needs, and goals, as well
• easily and consistently generate new ideas
• uncover the "what's next?" in your story
• bust through writer’s block so you can face that blank page (and the next one, and the next one…) with confidence

Sign up and you'll get:

• fun, interactive thought-provoking games and exercises
• lots of chances to participate (small class sizes ensure this)
• challenging writing assignments
• a chance to meet other writers and build community

Don't take our word for it! Read what students have said about the course!