This 3 hour workshop will focus our attention on the importance of establishing WHO the people are in the scene. The character’s relationship with each other firstly, is the key to making improv easier.

Our brains during improv scenes, often get caught up in the WHAT (what is happening) i.e PLOT; but really at the heart of good theatre or comedy is PEOPLE not PLOT.

When I approach a text with actors for theatre productions we spend a lot of time figuring out who these characters are and how they feel about themselves and each other.

This is an approach to bring into our improvisations. Let’s explore our character’s point of view (POV), state openly and quickly our feelings about self and other, name the history, the memories, the shared experiences between the characters definitively and without equivocation.

Once these building blocks are established, listened to, agreed on and heightened, then we figure out the WORLD these people are living in and ‘PLOT’ naturally takes care of itself.

Emma brings to this workshop a theatre director’s approach to improvisation. It will synthesise short form speed and long form thought and promises to be a hugely fun and supportive workshop.

Based in Liverpool, UK, Emma founded Liverpool Comedy Improv in 2015, teaching improv to all levels. She has been improvising since 2007 and trained with leading improv professionals with a broad range of styles and philosophies from schools such as Second City, iO; UCB; Annoyance Theatre & The Groundlings.

Teachers include The Maydays, Jaime Moyer; David Razowsky; Liz Allen; Michael Gellman; Rachel Mason & Susan Messing; Will Hines; Jay Sukow; Brian Palermo; Jeff Michalski; Michelle Gilliam; Shannon Stott; Jonathan Pitts; Aretha Sills; Armando Diaz, amongst others.
 
She has founded, developed, performed and directed four improv teams, including Boss Birds Improv (Liverpool’s first all women team); and duo team Moses & Bird.

Emma’s approach to teaching improv is grounded in her 30 year professional experience as an actor and theatre director, and synthesises philosophies and approaches gained from training with a range of schools and teachers.

Emma is currently directing various productions at Liverpool’s Royal Court Theatre alongside teaching improv classes.