Learn To Improvise! with John Knowles

Want to learn to improvise, create funny stories, and think quicker on your feet?  Join professional improviser John Knowles as he introduces you to the fun and fundamentals of spontaneous theatre. You'll learn the concept of “Yes, And...” and see why it allows players who have never even met before play out wonderful impromptu scenes on the spot. Through pairs and group exercises and games, participants will explore sharing ideas, spontaneity, pro-active listening, staying in the moment, taking risks, and making & accepting offers.  John will teach you the building blocks of improvisation in a supportive environment that embraces the idea of trusting yourself and failing with joy. Come prepared to laugh!

The course is six Sundays in a row for 2 hours (1pm–3pm) starting on the 3rd of March.

10th of March 2024 - Session 1: Introduction to Improv Fundamentals, Learning the Joys of "Yes, And...!", Word At A Time Team play, Blocking vs Accepting offers, 

17th of March 2024 - Session 2:  Becoming the expert, Naming thingsEndowing other players, Questions vs Statements, Shared Story, Yielding

24th of March 2024 - Session 3: How to begin a scene well, C.R.O.W.E., Being Affected, 

31st of March 2024 - Session 4: Upping The Stakes, Game structures, and How to End a Scene

7th of April 2024 - Session 5: Taking Risks, Situational Comedy vs Gagging, Putting It All Together, and Finishing with a little showcase for each other, putting into practice what we've learned. 

14th of April 2024 - Session 6: Putting It All Together, and Finishing with a little showcase for each other, putting into practice what we've learned. 

Your Teacher:

John Knowles is a trained actor, professional improviser, writer, and comedian based in Sydney, Australia. John studied at Second City in Toronto and Ryerson Acting School. He has won the coveted Cranston Cup for Theatresports twice and represented Australia in the World Theatresports Championships in Atlanta, USA. John was awarded the prestigious Moosehead Comedy Award for his solo show, John Knowles is Saddle Sore at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival, and he was Artistic Director of IMPRO Australia, Australia’s premiere improvisational theatre company. 

He has appeared as a character on TV shows, including Shark Tank. Improvised theatre shows that he co-created include Hard Boiled, PULP, Cops On Heat, OfficeJerks, Tabloid Musical, Abandon Script, and IMPROZAC. He is one third of the cabaret trio Gods Cowboys. John’s full length scripted solo shows include Storytiller, FourFathers, and his current show, ‘I Can Top That!’ A born storyteller, John is a 2020 winner of The Moth international storytelling competition in Sydney.