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DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20261105T100000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20261105T130000
DTSTAMP:20260718T192707Z
CREATED:20260718T172256Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260718T192707Z
UID:10000044-1793872800-1793883600@birminghamimprovfestival.com
SUMMARY:😍 Get into trouble\, fall in love - Chris Mead
DESCRIPTION:One of my first improv teachers had this advice for us as we prepared to go onstage: Go out there\, get into trouble and fall in love. \nThere are so many technical aspects to improvisation – a whole tool box of techniques\, behaviours\, strategies and formats. But what is at the centre of it all\, when everything else is stripped away? In this workshop\, I’m going to argue it boils down to one thing. \nCan I be in response to my scene partner? \nIn the simplest\, most elegant way – can I hold space to be inspired and changed by my scene partner. Can I move in sympathy with them? Can I affect and be affected in turn? \nImprov experience: Attendees need to be confident in performing a 2-3 minute improv scene. \nAbout Chris Mead: \nChris Mead is a renowned improv performer\, director and teacher from the UK. He is a senior teacher at Hoopla\, London’s largest improv school. \nHe is also the founder of The Pretend Company which teaches theatrical improv and stage craft to both improvisers and actors. \nInternationally\, he is one of the European circuits most in demand practitioners – visiting festivals in over 30 countries to teach\, coach and perform. He wants improv to be evermore compassionate\, theatrical\, playful and fun. He is known for his thoughtful teaching\, joyful stage presence and absolute commitment to pushing the art form forward.
URL:https://birminghamimprovfestival.com/event/get-into-trouble-fall-in-love-chris-mead/
LOCATION:Midlands Arts Centre\, Cannon Hill Park\, Birmingham\, West Midlands\, B12 9QH\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Half Day Workshop November 5th,Half-day,Workshop
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://birminghamimprovfestival.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Ohana-Chris-Chris-Mead.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20261105T100000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20261105T170000
DTSTAMP:20260729T094146Z
CREATED:20260723T182315Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260729T094146Z
UID:10000063-1793872800-1793898000@birminghamimprovfestival.com
SUMMARY:The Bat - Joe Bill
DESCRIPTION:In this workshop I will take you through the experience of one of my signature formats\, The Bat\, which is essentially a longform improv “radio play” that players play with their eyes closed. The audience experiences the “theater of the mind” as they sit in a darkened theater. The Bat may contain elements of both Narrative and Freestyle long form sensibilities\, and each is somewhat a unique reflection of the collective personalities of the players who perform it. It is truly a joy ride in the dark which takes the audience and performers alike on a trippy journey together. \nImprov Experience: The BAT workshop will be best for at least intermediate level experienced improvisers\, people familiar with or having studied/played in some kind of Longform. \nAbout Joe Bill \nJoe Bill is widely regarded as one of the best teachers of Improvised Storytelling and Scenic\, Longform & Duo Improvisation in North America today. He is one of the founding members of Annoyance Theater Chicago where\, for 12 years\, he performed in and/or directed more than 60 different shows. Joe is ½ of the first touring Improv Duo in North America\, BASSPROV\, created in 2000 with Mark Sutton. They are still performing at Festivals and theater engagements globally 25 years later. Since then Joe’s been touring all over the world teaching\, directing\, and improvising with several other amazing Duo Partners like Patti Stiles (Our Play)\, Jill Bernard (SCRAM!)\, Stacey Hallal (Stacey & Joe\, We Slept Together) Lee White (Paradigm)\,  Heather Urquart (Blues Hammer)\, Felipe Ortiz (Les Disciplinos) and David Razowsky (Razowsky & Bill)\, ALL in different\, original formats and styles. \n  \nOver the last 2 years\, Joe has been touring his solo show\, Surviving Consciousness: Lessons learned from Cancer\, LSD & Michael Jordan\, both in the USA & abroad. He is the creator and host of Story Chain\, a virtual (and now sometimes live!)\, 90-minute\, international story sharing event that he developed in 2020 during the Pandemic. He has created or co-created many Longform formats that he teaches and directs at theaters and festivals all over the world\, most notably The BAT\, The SCRAMBLE and variations of Armando and other classic formats. Joe was the Director of Corporate Training at iO Chicago for 15 years and started training and performing there in 1985. He was a Guest Artist in Residence at The Second City Training Center & Conservatory where he taught intensives in Duo Improvisation and Improvisation for Actors for 10 years.
URL:https://birminghamimprovfestival.com/event/the-bat-joe-bill/
LOCATION:Midlands Arts Centre\, Cannon Hill Park\, Birmingham\, West Midlands\, B12 9QH\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Full Day,Full Day Workshop November 5th,Workshop
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://birminghamimprovfestival.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Joe-Headshot-2-scaled.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20261105T140000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20261105T170000
DTSTAMP:20260718T192336Z
CREATED:20260718T173502Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260718T192336Z
UID:10000045-1793887200-1793898000@birminghamimprovfestival.com
SUMMARY:🦶🏻 Movement for change - Chris Mead
DESCRIPTION:A lot of improv shows are pretty static. There are two people on stage and they are working so hard to be interesting and funny that their feet are seemingly rooted to the spot. \nBut if you shift your feet\, you shift your perspective – it gives you the chance to change your point of view\, to feel more\, think differently\, shake off the status quo. \nIt also has the added benefit of looking AMAZING. \nIn this workshop there will be no scenes that take place in the classic improv mode of two people\, centre stage\, facing each other and talking. We’ll explore ensemble\, scenography\, physical theatre and natural movement – all in the service of creating beautiful\, theatrical scenes that feel alive and in the moment. \nImprov Experience: Open to all levels \nAbout Chris Mead: \nChris Mead is a renowned improv performer\, director and teacher from the UK. He is a senior teacher at Hoopla\, London’s largest improv school. \nHe is also the founder of The Pretend Company which teaches theatrical improv and stage craft to both improvisers and actors. \nInternationally\, he is one of the European circuits most in demand practitioners – visiting festivals in over 30 countries to teach\, coach and perform. He wants improv to be evermore compassionate\, theatrical\, playful and fun. He is known for his thoughtful teaching\, joyful stage presence and absolute commitment to pushing the art form forward.
URL:https://birminghamimprovfestival.com/event/movement-for-change-chris-mead/
LOCATION:Midlands Arts Centre\, Cannon Hill Park\, Birmingham\, West Midlands\, B12 9QH\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Half Day Workshop November 5th,Half-day,Workshop
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://birminghamimprovfestival.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Ohana-Chris-Chris-Mead.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20261105T180000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20261105T190000
DTSTAMP:20260718T164922Z
CREATED:20260718T130308Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260718T164922Z
UID:10000031-1793901600-1793905200@birminghamimprovfestival.com
SUMMARY:Wing it Impro presents: Gricers
DESCRIPTION:Wing it Impro presents: \nGricers is Detectorists meets Waiting for Godot a bittersweet\, profoundly funny story of quiet obsession and male friendship. \nTwo men\, a flask of lukewarm tea\, and a shared love of trains. The real journey isn’t on the rails; it’s what happens between the arrivals and departures. It is found in the waiting\, the silences\, and the weight of decades of friendship. \nEntirely unscripted\, Gricers delivers compelling storytelling\, a cavalcade of characters\, and live DJing from seasoned improvisers Mike Burton\, Mark Smith\, and Fergus Wynne. \n★★★★★ “A master class in improvised comedy theatre… fresh\, funny\, and inherently ‘dangerous’.” – The Reviews Hub\n★★★★ “A heartfelt story of male friendship.” – Arts Review Hub
URL:https://birminghamimprovfestival.com/event/gricers/
LOCATION:West Midlands
CATEGORIES:Show,Show November 5th
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://birminghamimprovfestival.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/1000x660GricersREDiiBIF.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20261105T193000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20261105T203000
DTSTAMP:20260719T181103Z
CREATED:20260718T164600Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260719T181103Z
UID:10000040-1793907000-1793910600@birminghamimprovfestival.com
SUMMARY:The Pretend Company
DESCRIPTION:“Beautiful. Hilarious. Spontaneous.” \nThe Pretend Company are an improv company working across London and Southend specialising in improvised theatre that is just as funny as it is heart-felt. Expect three-dimensional characters and real-feeling relationships to be balanced with belly laughs and absurd flights of fancy from a cast of veteran improvisers.
URL:https://birminghamimprovfestival.com/event/the-pretend-company/
LOCATION:Midlands Arts Centre\, Cannon Hill Park\, Birmingham\, West Midlands\, B12 9QH\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Show,Show November 5th
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://birminghamimprovfestival.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/The-Pretend-Company-Chris-Mead-1.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20261105T210000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20261105T220000
DTSTAMP:20260718T165016Z
CREATED:20260718T150727Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260718T165016Z
UID:10000038-1793912400-1793916000@birminghamimprovfestival.com
SUMMARY:Impromptunes - The Completely Improvised Musical
DESCRIPTION:You suggest a title and seconds later the curtain rises on a brand new musical\, performed for the first\, last and only time. \nEverything is made up on the spot – songs\, scenes and choreography unfold before your eyes as Australia’s finest improvisers create a full musical packed with hijinks\, harmonies and hilarity. \nIt’s unrehearsed. It’s unpredictable. It’s a whole lot of fun. It’s Impromptunes! \n★★★★★ “Outrageously funny” Theatre People
URL:https://birminghamimprovfestival.com/event/the-completely-improvised-musical/
LOCATION:Midlands Arts Centre\, Cannon Hill Park\, Birmingham\, West Midlands\, B12 9QH\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Show,Show November 5th
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://birminghamimprovfestival.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/2026-BSIF-Impromptunes-1080x1080-Hollie-J.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20261106T100000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20261106T130000
DTSTAMP:20260718T221514Z
CREATED:20260718T173851Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260718T221514Z
UID:10000046-1793959200-1793970000@birminghamimprovfestival.com
SUMMARY:Extreme Characters - Inbal Lori
DESCRIPTION:Have you ever wondered why most of us play “normal” or “neutral” characters most of the time? Do you have the urge to play characters who are bigger-than-life and/or very different from you? Are you struggling to play this kind of character believably?\nFrom my experience\, when improvisers choose to play an extreme character on stage\, two main things happen: 1. They struggle between playing that character consistently and believably while keeping the scene going. 2. The scene will usually revolve around them and how “extreme” they are. This is why in this session I would like you to develop the ability to play those characters in a believable and focused way AND use these characters to tell beautiful stories in various contexts and situations. \nImprov Experience: Intermediate-advanced \nAbout Inbal Lori: \nInbal Lori is an actress\, writer\, and improviser. She wrote and played for television and theater\, and has won prizes and scholarships for her acting and writing.\nIn 2015\, Inbal moved to Berlin\, and since then\, she has been teaching and performing all over the world in places like the U.S.A.\, Canada\, Australia\, New Zealand\, Colombia\, Japan\, Nigeria\, China\, and all over Europe.\nAs of 2025\, she is the artistic director of the “Berlin Impro Festival”.\nIn a business context\, Inbal is working and coaching companies like Spotify\, Disney\, EY\, Doberman\, McKinsey\, Rolls-Royce\, Sky Sports\, and more. \n 
URL:https://birminghamimprovfestival.com/event/extreme-characters-inbal-lori/
LOCATION:Midlands Arts Centre\, Cannon Hill Park\, Birmingham\, West Midlands\, B12 9QH\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Half Day Workshop November 6th,Half-day,Workshop
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://birminghamimprovfestival.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/MER_0240-inbal-lori-scaled.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20261106T100000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20261106T130000
DTSTAMP:20260718T193132Z
CREATED:20260718T193132Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260718T193132Z
UID:10000049-1793959200-1793970000@birminghamimprovfestival.com
SUMMARY:You Can't Get What You Want Until You Know What You Want: Finding Desire to Drive Your Improv Scene - Diana Brown
DESCRIPTION:You Can’t Get What You Want Until You Know What You Want: Discover the Desire That Drives Your Scene. \nA strong character wants something\, and that want is the engine of every scene. In this workshop\, we’ll clarify what your character wants\, why they want it\, and let that desire drive every choice\, every relationship and every moment. You’ll discover ways to: \n• We’ll clarify what your character wants\, why they want it\, and let that desire drive every choice\, every relationship and every moment.\n• Create richer\, more compelling interactions with scene partners.\n• Discover how your character’s wants can reveal hidden emotions and drive story. \nWhether you’re improvising comedy\, drama\, or anything in between\, understanding your character’s core desires will make every scene more dynamic\, surprising\, and satisfying. \nImprov Experience: All levels welcome\, some experience helpful. \nAbout Diana Brown \nDiana Brown is an improv artist\, actor\, director\, speaker\, and communication coach whose work bridges theatrical performance and real-world leadership. Known for emotionally grounded\, character-driven\, genre-inspired improvisation.\nNamed one of The Improv Boost’s 2025 Sudden Impact Teachers and voted Most Valuable Mentor and Teacher at the San Francisco Improv Festival\, Diana performs\, teaches and directs internationally. Her work has been featured at Improv Fest Ireland\, Impro Amsterdam\, Liverpool Improvisation Festival\, Vancouver Improv Festival\, Belfast Improv Festival\, SF Sketchfest\, SF Improv Fest\, SAVI Fest\, Gather Fest\, Camp Improv Utopia\, Countdown Improv Festival\, Uptown Improv Festival\, and festivals across North America and Europe. She recently co-directed and appeared in Mark Smith’s international ensemble Taxi Tales at Impro Amsterdam 2026 and directed the international ensemble at Improv Fest Ireland 2026.\nDiana leads the Advanced Improv Performance Lab at Berkeley Repertory Theatre’s School of Theatre and teaches with BATS Improv\, All Out Comedy Theatre and Leela Improv San Francisco. She also coaches founders\, leaders\, artists\, and professionals in high-impact communication.\nAs a performer\, Diana appears with The Oracle\, But Of Mind\, Bingewatch\, Serious Kicks\, Fleeting Reminiscence\, Gamesome Frolic\, Slumber Party\, Time Piece\, The Heartbreakers\, and Collective Audacity other original ensemble projects exploring theatrical improvisation\, character\, and genre.\nDiana is currently in development on Dial Up Diana\, a completely participatory\, unscripted theatrical experience. Conceived and directed by Mark Smith\, performed by Diana Brown and Lindsey McGowen\, with design by Kai Jones. Built around live audience interaction and spontaneous storytelling\, the project continues her exploration of theatrical form\, character\, and human connection.\nDiana’s work is guided by one belief: every person is infinitely more interesting than they realize\, and remarkable performance begins by uncovering what makes them unforgettable.
URL:https://birminghamimprovfestival.com/event/you-cant-get-what-you-want-until-you-know-what-you-want-finding-desire-to-drive-your-improv-scene-diana-brown/
LOCATION:Midlands Arts Centre\, Cannon Hill Park\, Birmingham\, West Midlands\, B12 9QH\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Half Day Workshop November 6th,Half-day,Workshop
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://birminghamimprovfestival.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Diana-Brown-Headshot-Diana-Brown.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20261106T100000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20261106T130000
DTSTAMP:20260723T182735Z
CREATED:20260719T121629Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260723T182735Z
UID:10000060-1793959200-1793970000@birminghamimprovfestival.com
SUMMARY:Curiosity & Suspicion - Joe Bill
DESCRIPTION:We learn in Improvisation that “It’s all about Listening”\, often without more specific instruction about playing a character that can easily see what is happening so that you can forward the scene with your scene partner in a way that is pleasing to yourselves and your audience. The way that character might listen to their scene partner to find the connection and understand what the scene is about as quickly as possible is the goal of this workshop. I will show you how to listen through Curiosity and Suspicion and pay attention to the mix of Circumstances and Interpersonal words and cues so that your scene will have the best chance to serve your scene\, story\, comedy and/or long form to the maximum. This workshop is an expansion on a piece of my bigger teaching philosophy and Intensive weekend\, Comedy From Connection. \nImprov Experience:  Great for all levels \nAbout Joe Bill \nJoe Bill is widely regarded as one of the best teachers of Improvised Storytelling and Scenic\, Longform & Duo Improvisation in North America today. He is one of the founding members of Annoyance Theater Chicago where\, for 12 years\, he performed in and/or directed more than 60 different shows. Joe is ½ of the first touring Improv Duo in North America\, BASSPROV\, created in 2000 with Mark Sutton. They are still performing at Festivals and theater engagements globally 25 years later. Since then Joe’s been touring all over the world teaching\, directing\, and improvising with several other amazing Duo Partners like Patti Stiles (Our Play)\, Jill Bernard (SCRAM!)\, Stacey Hallal (Stacey & Joe\, We Slept Together) Lee White (Paradigm)\,  Heather Urquart (Blues Hammer)\, Felipe Ortiz (Les Disciplinos) and David Razowsky (Razowsky & Bill)\, ALL in different\, original formats and styles. \n  \nOver the last 2 years\, Joe has been touring his solo show\, Surviving Consciousness: Lessons learned from Cancer\, LSD & Michael Jordan\, both in the USA & abroad. He is the creator and host of Story Chain\, a virtual (and now sometimes live!)\, 90-minute\, international story sharing event that he developed in 2020 during the Pandemic. He has created or co-created many Longform formats that he teaches and directs at theaters and festivals all over the world\, most notably The BAT\, The SCRAMBLE and variations of Armando and other classic formats. Joe was the Director of Corporate Training at iO Chicago for 15 years and started training and performing there in 1985. He was a Guest Artist in Residence at The Second City Training Center & Conservatory where he taught intensives in Duo Improvisation and Improvisation for Actors for 10 years.
URL:https://birminghamimprovfestival.com/event/curiosity-suspicion-joe-bill/
LOCATION:Midlands Arts Centre\, Cannon Hill Park\, Birmingham\, West Midlands\, B12 9QH\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Half Day Workshop November 6th,Half-day,Workshop
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://birminghamimprovfestival.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Joe-Headshot-2-scaled.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20261106T130000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20261106T170000
DTSTAMP:20260718T192731Z
CREATED:20260718T192007Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260718T192731Z
UID:10000047-1793970000-1793984400@birminghamimprovfestival.com
SUMMARY:CHERCHEZ LA FEMME - Inbal Lori
DESCRIPTION:What kind of characters do we want to play and be?\nWhat is the full range of femininity we can offer on the impro stage? Ugly and beautifully inspiring characters – let’s discover as many of them as we can\, and then let’s create honest\, cool storylines for these women. The workshop will allow every improviser to expand her range and find more sides\, colors and ways in women’s characters\, so afterwards we can go back to the world and play rich\, bigger-than-life\, juicy\, funny women. \nThis workshop is being run as an all-female/non-binary space. \nPlease note: Our definition here of ‘women’ and ‘female’ is inclusive\, and we welcome trans women\, genderqueer women\, and non-binary people. \nImprov experience: Open to all levels \nAbout Inbal Lori: \nInbal Lori is an actress\, writer\, and improviser. She wrote and played for television and theater\, and has won prizes and scholarships for her acting and writing.\nIn 2015\, Inbal moved to Berlin\, and since then\, she has been teaching and performing all over the world in places like the U.S.A.\, Canada\, Australia\, New Zealand\, Colombia\, Japan\, Nigeria\, China\, and all over Europe.\nAs of 2025\, she is the artistic director of the “Berlin Impro Festival”.\nIn a business context\, Inbal is working and coaching companies like Spotify\, Disney\, EY\, Doberman\, McKinsey\, Rolls-Royce\, Sky Sports\, and more. \n 
URL:https://birminghamimprovfestival.com/event/cherchez-la-femme-inbal-lori/
LOCATION:West Midlands
CATEGORIES:Half Day Workshop November 6th,Half-day,Workshop
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://birminghamimprovfestival.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/MER_0240-inbal-lori-scaled.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20261106T140000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20261106T170000
DTSTAMP:20260723T182543Z
CREATED:20260719T121804Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260723T182543Z
UID:10000061-1793973600-1793984400@birminghamimprovfestival.com
SUMMARY:From Stupid to Brilliant in 5 Lines - Joe Bill
DESCRIPTION:This workshop is just what the title says. We will start by doing quick scenes that are stupid\, then move to playing scenes that begin grounded and then take a stupid turn\, and even mess with ‘Game of The Scene’ gone wrong. I’ll show you that even if you don’t recognize game\, you can employ these tools to turn your scene into something deeper and more meaningful (if you have to abandon ‘game’). Most “stupid” comes from an ill-advised offer rooted in some bullshit circumstance that no one cares about in search of comedy. I’ll show you tools rooted in Comedy From Connection\, Socratic Process\, Neuroscience and yes\, even techniques used in therapy in order to turn a dumb ass offer into something that is\, at the very least salvageable\, and with practice\, Brilliant! \nImprov Experience: Recommendation to have at least a year or 2 experience\, or the ability to grasp the difference between circumstantial and interpersonal dialogue. \nAbout Joe Bill \nJoe Bill is widely regarded as one of the best teachers of Improvised Storytelling and Scenic\, Longform & Duo Improvisation in North America today. He is one of the founding members of Annoyance Theater Chicago where\, for 12 years\, he performed in and/or directed more than 60 different shows. Joe is ½ of the first touring Improv Duo in North America\, BASSPROV\, created in 2000 with Mark Sutton. They are still performing at Festivals and theater engagements globally 25 years later. Since then Joe’s been touring all over the world teaching\, directing\, and improvising with several other amazing Duo Partners like Patti Stiles (Our Play)\, Jill Bernard (SCRAM!)\, Stacey Hallal (Stacey & Joe\, We Slept Together) Lee White (Paradigm)\,  Heather Urquart (Blues Hammer)\, Felipe Ortiz (Les Disciplinos) and David Razowsky (Razowsky & Bill)\, ALL in different\, original formats and styles. \n  \nOver the last 2 years\, Joe has been touring his solo show\, Surviving Consciousness: Lessons learned from Cancer\, LSD & Michael Jordan\, both in the USA & abroad. He is the creator and host of Story Chain\, a virtual (and now sometimes live!)\, 90-minute\, international story sharing event that he developed in 2020 during the Pandemic. He has created or co-created many Longform formats that he teaches and directs at theaters and festivals all over the world\, most notably The BAT\, The SCRAMBLE and variations of Armando and other classic formats. Joe was the Director of Corporate Training at iO Chicago for 15 years and started training and performing there in 1985. He was a Guest Artist in Residence at The Second City Training Center & Conservatory where he taught intensives in Duo Improvisation and Improvisation for Actors for 10 years.
URL:https://birminghamimprovfestival.com/event/from-stupid-to-brilliant-in-5-lines-joe-bill/
LOCATION:Midlands Arts Centre\, Cannon Hill Park\, Birmingham\, West Midlands\, B12 9QH\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Half Day Workshop November 6th,Half-day,Workshop
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://birminghamimprovfestival.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Joe-Headshot-2-scaled.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20261106T180000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20261106T190000
DTSTAMP:20260718T165108Z
CREATED:20260718T142830Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260718T165108Z
UID:10000032-1793988000-1793991600@birminghamimprovfestival.com
SUMMARY:ImprompTwo & Co - The Jazz Club
DESCRIPTION:THE JAZZ CLUB. NEW YORK. 1945.\nIn the after-hours of a downtown jazz bar just after World War II\, victory hangs in the air but not necessarily for those who frequent the seedy side of this famous city. The Jazz Club\, created by ImprompTwo & Co.\, seamlessly fuses atmosphere\, emotional depth\, and volatile chemistry with the danger of live music. What emerges is noir with a pulse – where lives are reinvented every night\, power shifts\, banter is laced with intrigue\, and desire comes and goes in a flash. A reckoning – scored in jazz. ImprompTwo & Co will be joined for this live show by Play It Again\, the jazz duo of Sam Marshall (of ImprompTwo & Co)\, and Emily Rose. \nImprompTwo & Co: Kathy Rinaldi\, Joe Rinaldi\, Lloydie Lloyd\, Jennifer Jordan\, Jen Hardy\, Adam Hodgson\, Adria Lermia\, Sam Marshall\, and Ryan Byrne.
URL:https://birminghamimprovfestival.com/event/the-jazz-club/
LOCATION:Midlands Arts Centre\, Cannon Hill Park\, Birmingham\, West Midlands\, B12 9QH\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Show,Show November 6th
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://birminghamimprovfestival.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Jazz-club-photo-Kathleen-Rinaldi.webp
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20261106T193000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20261106T203000
DTSTAMP:20260718T165350Z
CREATED:20260718T143635Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260718T165350Z
UID:10000036-1793993400-1793997000@birminghamimprovfestival.com
SUMMARY:The Oracle at Birmingham
DESCRIPTION:The Oracle\, the unique international live theater production comes to the Birmingham Improv Festival for a one-time only show! The Oracle combines improvisation\, devised theatre\, music\, and storytelling with characters and rituals based on the ancient Greek’s Oracle of Delphi to comedically and dramatically explore questions the audience has about life and living in today’s world. If you could ask one question to The Oracle\, one that matters to you\, what would it be?
URL:https://birminghamimprovfestival.com/event/the-oracle-at-birmingham/
LOCATION:Midlands Arts Centre\, Cannon Hill Park\, Birmingham\, West Midlands\, B12 9QH\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Show,Show November 6th
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://birminghamimprovfestival.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Oracle-at-Birmingham-Jonathan-Pitts.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20261106T210000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20261106T220000
DTSTAMP:20260718T171251Z
CREATED:20260718T164330Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260718T171251Z
UID:10000039-1793998800-1794002400@birminghamimprovfestival.com
SUMMARY:Seen - ShiZi Improv Theatre & TBC
DESCRIPTION:Seen \nEvery message has a story. \nA text from your mum\, a work email or a wrong number.\nTwo improvisers with a theatrical background take one real audience message and spin it into unexpected characters\, heartfelt moments\, and ridiculous comedy.\nOne message – endless possibilities and a brand-new show every time.
URL:https://birminghamimprovfestival.com/event/seen-shizi-improv-theatre-tbc/
LOCATION:Midlands Arts Centre\, Cannon Hill Park\, Birmingham\, West Midlands\, B12 9QH\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Show,Show November 6th
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://birminghamimprovfestival.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Seen_Improv_Show_Photo-ШиЗи-Импро-Театър-ShiZi-Improv-Theater-scaled.jpg
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20261107T100000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20261107T130000
DTSTAMP:20260718T203015Z
CREATED:20260718T203015Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260718T203015Z
UID:10000052-1794045600-1794056400@birminghamimprovfestival.com
SUMMARY:What's Beyond - Michael Brunlieb
DESCRIPTION:Viola Spolin’s approach to improvisational theater is built on games. Whenever she encountered a problem as a teacher or director\, she would create a game to give players a framework for solving it. She created a collection of challenging games called ‘What’s Beyond’ that explore what lies beyond the immediate stage environment: what has just happened\, what is about to happen\, what is unfolding somewhere else right now. In these games the players continue to explore the immediate environment while holding the ‘beyond’ in focus between each other. In this workshop we’ll explore those games together & see where it takes us! \nImprov Experience: Open to all levels \nAbout Mike Brunlieb \nMike Brunlieb is a performing and teaching artist in Chicago. He improvises with the ensembles ‘Sand’\, ‘Real Angels’\, and ‘3 Actors Living in a Cave’\, most often performing at the wonderful Logan Square Improv theater (check them out!). Mike has received multiple awards during his fifteen years of performing and teaching improvisation\, including being recognized three years in a row as one of Chicago’s top improvisers by the iO theater. He studied at the Paul Sills Theater Game Center (and beyond) with Aretha Sills and Carol Sills\, and at iO Chicago with TJ Jagodowski and Dave Pasquesi. He has performed and taught improvisation internationally in Europe\, Asia\, and Canada. Mike has also performed in a handful of TV and film projects\, including “Southside” (HBO)\, “Joe Pera Talks with You” (Adult Swim)\, and “Trial of the Chicago Seven” (Netflix). The core of Mike’s teaching and performance is rooted in the work of Viola Spolin. Spolin’s philosophy and methodology has had a huge impact on Mike’s perspective on education & approach to making art.
URL:https://birminghamimprovfestival.com/event/whats-beyond-michael-brunlieb/
LOCATION:Midlands Arts Centre\, Cannon Hill Park\, Birmingham\, West Midlands\, B12 9QH\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Full Day Workshop November 7th,Half-day,Workshop
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://birminghamimprovfestival.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/mike-b2-headshot-1-1-1-Mike-Brunlieb.png
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20261107T100000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20261107T130000
DTSTAMP:20260729T093445Z
CREATED:20260718T221724Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260729T093445Z
UID:10000053-1794045600-1794056400@birminghamimprovfestival.com
SUMMARY:SCRIPTED TOOLS\, UNSCRIPTED PLAY - Kathleen Rinaldi/Joseph Rinaldi
DESCRIPTION:What if improvised scenes had the emotional depth\, pacing\, and intention of scripted theatre—without losing the thrill of the unknown? In this dynamic workshop inspired by ImprompTwo’s signature style\, improvisers will explore the powerful overlap between scripted acting techniques and improvisational theatre. Drawing from theatrical storytelling\, character work\, and ensemble awareness\, this workshop helps improvisers create scenes that feel fully written in the moment—rich with subtext\, intention\, and emotions. Improvisers will leave with a clearer understanding of how scripted techniques enhance improvisation; stronger\, more intentional scene choices; the ability to create improv that feels cohesive\, meaningful\, and alive; and\, the tools to seamlessly bridge acting and improv practices. \nImprov Experience: Improvisers who are willing to take emotional risks! \nAbout Kathleen Rinaldi & Joseph Rinaldi \nKATHY RINALDI: Kathy Rinaldi is a founding member of ImprompTwo\, an internationally acclaimed improv duo known for emotionally resonant performances and a sophisticated use of silence. With more than eight years of international teaching experience\, she has led workshops at major festivals and training programs across North America and Europe. A professional playwright\, Kathy’s work has been produced in Toronto\, New York\, and Florida. Her theatre career also includes directing\, producing\, board leadership\, and co-founding Unconsciously Coupled\, a company dedicated to integrating scripted and improvised performance. With more than 30 years as an educator and presenter\, Kathy creates rigorous\, supportive learning environments that foster emotional truth\, narrative discipline\, and creative risk-taking. Her work is driven by the belief that fully improvised theatre can achieve the same depth and lasting impact as the finest scripted plays. \nJOE RINALDI: From TV screens to festival stages\, Joe Rinaldi has been crafting compelling performances for decades. A seasoned SAG/AFTRA/AEA actor with a deep love for improv\, he’s done it all—from Shakespeare to longform narrative improv—often in the same breath. Joe is the former producer and artistic director of Firedrake Productions (NYC)\, and has appeared in film\, television\, and professional theatre across New England\, the Northeast\, and the Midwest. He’s the founding member of Come What Will (Shakespearean improv)\, Unconsciously Coupled\, and ImprompTwo—a genre-driven narrative duo that has performed at festivals worldwide for more than eight years. Joe is known for making Shakespeare funnier\, improv more theatrical\, and audiences lean in just a little closer. \n 
URL:https://birminghamimprovfestival.com/event/scripted-tools-unscripted-play-kathleen-rinaldi-joseph-rinaldi/
LOCATION:Midlands Arts Centre\, Cannon Hill Park\, Birmingham\, West Midlands\, B12 9QH\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Half Day Workshop November 7th,Half-day,Workshop
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://birminghamimprovfestival.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Kathleen-Rinaldi-Headshot-Kathleen-Rinaldi-scaled.jpg
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20261107T100000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20261107T170000
DTSTAMP:20260729T093745Z
CREATED:20260718T194017Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260729T093745Z
UID:10000050-1794045600-1794070800@birminghamimprovfestival.com
SUMMARY:Scene Work The Chicago Way - Jonathan Pitts
DESCRIPTION:Chicago is famous for grounded\, honest\, relationship-based improvisation scene work that produces deep laughs and deep sighs as the audience is moved to both. This style of work requires acting\, listening\, openness\, patience\, and responding through a shared process of give and take. This workshop will feature a deep dive into this process of two-person scene work that will bring improvisers discovery upon discovery. As those shared discoveries pile up\, the improvised scene becomes deep\, full and funny. It’s the Chicago way. \nImprov Experience: At least 6 months prior improv experience or training. \nAbout Jonathan Pitts \nJonathan Pitts is an award-winning international improviser and storyteller. He’s taught and/or performed in 30 countries and over 110 cities. He’s the co-founder of the Chicago Improv Festival and he produced or co-produced CIF for its entire 20-year run. He also created and produced the College Improv Tournament\, Chicago Podcast Festival\, and Teen Comedy Fest. He’s created\, devised\, and directed productions of “The Oracle”\, “The Silent Movie”\, and “Storybox”. The 2024 book “50 Key Improv Performers” written by Matt Fotis\, lists him as #24. He taught at The Second City for 16 years and is a contributing writer to their book on improv. He also was a member of “Stone Soup”\, one of iO’s first house teams.
URL:https://birminghamimprovfestival.com/event/scene-work-the-chicago-way-jonathan-pitts/
LOCATION:Midlands Arts Centre\, Cannon Hill Park\, Birmingham\, West Midlands\, B12 9QH\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Full Day,Full Day Workshop November 7th,Workshop
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20261107T140000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20261107T170000
DTSTAMP:20260720T225236Z
CREATED:20260718T195124Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260720T225236Z
UID:10000051-1794060000-1794070800@birminghamimprovfestival.com
SUMMARY:The Cutting Room - Jonathan Pitts
DESCRIPTION:The Cutting Room is a fast paced\, fantastical\, wild roller coaster ride of a form. It combines short form and long form in one frothy mix. The scenes and stories can take place anywhere in this world or in any world in any galaxy. If espresso was an improv form\, this is what it would be\, so drink some coffee (iced or hot) and come play! \nThe Cutting Room\, was created by Scotland’s Peter Aitchson and Jonathan learned it in 2018 when he was a guest player for Peter’s team in the Edinburgh Fringe where Jonathan did 21 shows in 19 days with them. This format is easy to learn\, easy to play\, and the only limits of the imaginary worlds that the students can create\, define or explore are the limits of their collective imaginations. \nImprov Experience: At least 6 months of prior improv training and experience.  \nAbout Jonathan Pitts \nJonathan Pitts is an award-winning international improviser and storyteller. He’s taught and/or performed in 30 countries and over 110 cities. He’s the co-founder of the Chicago Improv Festival and he produced or co-produced CIF for its entire 20-year run. He also created and produced the College Improv Tournament\, Chicago Podcast Festival\, and Teen Comedy Fest. He’s created\, devised\, and directed productions of “The Oracle”\, “The Silent Movie”\, and “Storybox”. The 2024 book “50 Key Improv Performers” written by Matt Fotis\, lists him as #24. He taught at The Second City for 16 years and is a contributing writer to their book on improv. He also was a member of “Stone Soup”\, one of iO’s first house teams.
URL:https://birminghamimprovfestival.com/event/the-cutting-room-jonathan-pitts/
LOCATION:Midlands Arts Centre\, Cannon Hill Park\, Birmingham\, West Midlands\, B12 9QH\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Half Day Workshop November 7th,Half-day,Workshop
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://birminghamimprovfestival.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Pittatt.UMhc4DOxOM37_dutSyF4QJZbDT2hJQP4lzzuemyZ0I0-1.jpg
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20261107T140000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20261107T170000
DTSTAMP:20260718T203730Z
CREATED:20260718T203730Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260718T203730Z
UID:10000054-1794060000-1794070800@birminghamimprovfestival.com
SUMMARY:Finding Characters Physically - Thomas Kelly
DESCRIPTION:Acquire some tools and perspectives on how you use your body and better understand what it is you are actually communicating physically. Drawing from the Lecoq pedagogy and mime technique\, we will explore this thing that’s under our heads and see what characters can come out of there. We will isolate and delve into the different parts of the body to create a more sophisticated physical vocabulary and look at how rhythm\, emotion\, and character as mask can be used to enrich the way you play on stage! \nImprov Experience: Open to all levels. Wear clothes you feel like you can move in \nAbout Thomas Kelly \nThomas Kelly received a degree in theater from Rhodes College and attended a two year Jacques Lecoq inspired physical theater and devising course at the London International School for the Performing Arts. In his eighteen years in Chicago\, he’s studied and performed with iO\, the Annoyance\, Second City\, and the Neofuturists. He can be seen performing live in the Holy F*ck Comedy Hour in Chicago and around the world with the award winning improv ensemble\, Sand. He can be seen on TV on shows like Showtime’s Work In Progress\, NBC’s Chicago Med\, NBC’s Shrink\, Monuments\, and in the stop motion short\, Sleepy Steve. He is represented by Paonessa Talent LLC.
URL:https://birminghamimprovfestival.com/event/finding-characters-physically-thomas-kelly/
LOCATION:Midlands Arts Centre\, Cannon Hill Park\, Birmingham\, West Midlands\, B12 9QH\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Half Day Workshop November 7th,Half-day,Workshop
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://birminghamimprovfestival.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/hs.hero_.sc_small-copy-Thomas-Kelly.png
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20261107T140000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20261107T170000
DTSTAMP:20260718T204010Z
CREATED:20260718T204010Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260718T204010Z
UID:10000055-1794060000-1794070800@birminghamimprovfestival.com
SUMMARY:Where We Are Changes Who We Are - Diana Brown
DESCRIPTION:Where We Are Changes Who We Are \nIn improvisation\, location isn’t just backdrop\, it shapes behavior\, status\, emotion\, and story. The space we inhabit determines who we become.\nThis workshop trains players to make environments immediate\, legible\, and theatrically alive.\nIn this workshop\, you will: \n-Connect environment directly to emotional behavior and character choices\n-Practice stating the obvious boldly and efficiently\n-Treat location as a playable partner — something that affects\, resists\, and responds \nStudents will learn how to let setting generate tension\, deepen relationships\, and clarify stakes. Rather than adding exposition\, we’ll explore how physical behavior\, spatial awareness\, and environmental specificity do the storytelling for us.\nThis workshop is ideal for improvisers who want stronger openings\, richer theatricality\, and scenes that feel grounded from the first moment. \nImprov Experience: All levels welcome\, some experience helpful. \nAbout Diana Brown \nDiana Brown is an improv artist\, actor\, director\, speaker\, and communication coach whose work bridges theatrical performance and real-world leadership. Known for emotionally grounded\, character-driven\, genre-inspired improvisation.\nNamed one of The Improv Boost’s 2025 Sudden Impact Teachers and voted Most Valuable Mentor and Teacher at the San Francisco Improv Festival\, Diana performs\, teaches and directs internationally. Her work has been featured at Improv Fest Ireland\, Impro Amsterdam\, Liverpool Improvisation Festival\, Vancouver Improv Festival\, Belfast Improv Festival\, SF Sketchfest\, SF Improv Fest\, SAVI Fest\, Gather Fest\, Camp Improv Utopia\, Countdown Improv Festival\, Uptown Improv Festival\, and festivals across North America and Europe. She recently co-directed and appeared in Mark Smith’s international ensemble Taxi Tales at Impro Amsterdam 2026 and directed the international ensemble at Improv Fest Ireland 2026.\nDiana leads the Advanced Improv Performance Lab at Berkeley Repertory Theatre’s School of Theatre and teaches with BATS Improv\, All Out Comedy Theatre and Leela Improv San Francisco. She also coaches founders\, leaders\, artists\, and professionals in high-impact communication.\nAs a performer\, Diana appears with The Oracle\, But Of Mind\, Bingewatch\, Serious Kicks\, Fleeting Reminiscence\, Gamesome Frolic\, Slumber Party\, Time Piece\, The Heartbreakers\, and Collective Audacity other original ensemble projects exploring theatrical improvisation\, character\, and genre.\nDiana is currently in development on Dial Up Diana\, a completely participatory\, unscripted theatrical experience. Conceived and directed by Mark Smith\, performed by Diana Brown and Lindsey McGowen\, with design by Kai Jones. Built around live audience interaction and spontaneous storytelling\, the project continues her exploration of theatrical form\, character\, and human connection.\nDiana’s work is guided by one belief: every person is infinitely more interesting than they realize\, and remarkable performance begins by uncovering what makes them unforgettable.
URL:https://birminghamimprovfestival.com/event/where-we-are-changes-who-we-are-diana-brown/
LOCATION:Midlands Arts Centre\, Cannon Hill Park\, Birmingham\, West Midlands\, B12 9QH\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Full Day Workshop November 7th,Half-day,Workshop
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://birminghamimprovfestival.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Diana-Brown-Headshot-Diana-Brown.jpg
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20261107T180000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20261107T190000
DTSTAMP:20260718T144333Z
CREATED:20260718T142846Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260718T144333Z
UID:10000035-1794074400-1794078000@birminghamimprovfestival.com
SUMMARY:Sand Does a Really Good Improv Show
DESCRIPTION:Sand has been one of the best improv groups in Chicago since 2009! Named “Chicago’s Best Improv Team” by NewCity\, ‘Sand’ is Mike Brunlieb (HBO’s South Side\, Comedy Central’s Joe Pera Talks With You\, and Netflix’s Trial of the Chicago 7) and Thomas Kelly (Showtime’s Work in Progress\, NBC’s Shrink\, Chicago Med\, and the feature film\, Monuments). Their unique style of improvisation has led to a devoted following and extensive touring in the United States and internationally. \nA Sand show is often laugh out loud funny and heartfelt in equal measure. Brunlieb and Kelly let their long-form exploration of characters evolve in surprising and hilarious ways. “They’re able to tap into a darkness that would lead lesser performers to alienate an audience quickly\, And yet they pull it off with a strange sense of empathy that allows for full-on laughter at the most unexpected of topics\,” said NewCity Magazine. \nInspired by documentary film\, traditional fairy tales\, and the spectacle of professional wrestling\, Sand’s performances are a night of improv that seamlessly transitions into performance art\, where the real and the surreal collide. You got to come check it out!
URL:https://birminghamimprovfestival.com/event/sand-does-a-really-good-improv-show/
LOCATION:Midlands Arts Centre\, Cannon Hill Park\, Birmingham\, West Midlands\, B12 9QH\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Show,Show November 7th
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://birminghamimprovfestival.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/sandio8.22-copy-Thomas-Kelly.jpg
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20261107T193000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20261107T203000
DTSTAMP:20260718T144309Z
CREATED:20260718T142858Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260718T144309Z
UID:10000034-1794079800-1794083400@birminghamimprovfestival.com
SUMMARY:Joe Bill & Inbal Lori
DESCRIPTION:Joe Bill and Inbal Lori are excited to bring their blend of edgy\, smart & emotional improvisation to the Birmingham festival. With one foot planted in grounded character work and the other in touch with the chaos and insanity of the world in which we currently live\, you’re in for a night of improvisation that reflects the serious and silly ways that we all cope with each other and the circumstances that life throws at us.
URL:https://birminghamimprovfestival.com/event/joe-bill-inbal-lori/
LOCATION:Midlands Arts Centre\, Cannon Hill Park\, Birmingham\, West Midlands\, B12 9QH\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Show,Show November 7th
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://birminghamimprovfestival.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/1000x660-Joe-InbalBIF.jpg
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20261107T210000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20261107T220000
DTSTAMP:20260718T165552Z
CREATED:20260718T142909Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260718T165552Z
UID:10000033-1794085200-1794088800@birminghamimprovfestival.com
SUMMARY:Cardume - Insomnia & Wet Skeleton
DESCRIPTION:Insomnia \nA sleepless night. A late-night bar. Many restless minds wander. Come with us and enter the mind of someone who can’t sleep\, turning memories\, dreams\, fears and intrusive thoughts into a fully improvised theatrical experience. Poetic\, funny\, haunting and beautifully unpredictable\, Insomnia invites you to spend the night at a bar where sleep never walks in\, and every drink unlocks a hidden corner of the mind. \n  \nWet Skeleton \nWet Skeleton is one performer\, zero script\, and infinite possibilities. Watch as her 206 soggy (and slightly wonky) bones become all manner of characters from the familiar to the downright bizarre. Nobody knows what she’ll do\, not even her\, as the audience inspired weird and wonderful stories weave together to create one-off worlds.
URL:https://birminghamimprovfestival.com/event/insomnia-wet-skeleton/
LOCATION:Midlands Arts Centre\, Cannon Hill Park\, Birmingham\, West Midlands\, B12 9QH\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Show,Show November 7th
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20261108T100000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20261108T130000
DTSTAMP:20260718T204353Z
CREATED:20260718T204353Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260718T204353Z
UID:10000056-1794132000-1794142800@birminghamimprovfestival.com
SUMMARY:Game is Everywhere - A workshop on simplifying Game of the Scene - Alex Holland
DESCRIPTION:Game gets a reputation for being very heady and prescriptive\, but it is simply the process of noticing what you’ve done that is funny and choosing to focus on it. In this workshop\, we’ll look to demystify the theory on Game and simplify it into playable terms that work with the way you perform. Game is adaptive to whatever improv play style and approach you take\, it’s the point at which you move from doing things that are funny by accident\, to being an intentional comedic performer. \nImprov Experience: Intermediate improv experience – students should be confident improvising committed scenes. \nAbout Alex Holland \nAlex Holland is an award winning comedian\, writer\, improviser\, and headteacher at The Free Association improv theatre in London. He’s been a part of The FA theatre since its inception in 2014 as a cast member in the first house teams and headline shows. He has been teaching advanced improv classes for over a decade with a focus on game and developing performers to help bring out their best comedic selves. \nYou can currently see him performing in London in regular teams Groundhog\, Pigpen\, and The Coolest Boys On The Improv Scene.
URL:https://birminghamimprovfestival.com/event/game-is-everywhere-a-workshop-on-simplifying-game-of-the-scene-alex-holland/
LOCATION:Midlands Arts Centre\, Cannon Hill Park\, Birmingham\, West Midlands\, B12 9QH\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Full Day Workshop November 8th,Half-day,Workshop
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://birminghamimprovfestival.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Alex-Holland-teaching-headshot-Alex-Holland-scaled.jpeg
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20261108T100000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20261108T130000
DTSTAMP:20260718T205925Z
CREATED:20260718T205925Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260718T205925Z
UID:10000058-1794132000-1794142800@birminghamimprovfestival.com
SUMMARY:Drive it like you've stolen it 🏎  - Jen Hardy
DESCRIPTION:Nobody else owns the improv we are creating\, so why do we hold ourselves back? Why do we stop following the fun and why do we decide to go against our natural instincts? \nWhat if\, just for one workshop\, we made the choice to throw caution to the wind\, said ‘f##k it’ and create something which we wholeheartedly embrace. \nThis is for any level of improviser\, the only criteria is bravery!!  \nImprov Experience: \nAbout Jen Hardy \nHailing from the best city on earth (Liverpool!) I’m an improviser\, poet\, teacher and coach as well as being a producer at a Shakespearian theatre.  \nI’ve performed in all-female comedy troupes and Liverpool’s first UCB style team. I perform with multiple companies including Playing Dead Theatre and Rubbish Shakespeare with whom I have toured the country in the sell-out 5 star show\, The Incomplete Works of Shakespeare. I have produced several shows\, including Mystery Laugh\, an improvised family show and my debut solo show\, Wet Skeleton. \nA trained teacher\, I teach and coach across the UK and internationally. This has included international festivals and teams who’ve gone on to perform at international festivals and individuals who’ve gone on to carve out professional careers. \nAs the co-director of the Liverpool Improvisation Festival\, I’m passionate about exploring improvisation in all forms\, and supporting communities to perform and learn new ways to be spontaneous. \nI focus on getting folks to see their current strengths and build on them. To find their own style and lean into it – remembering that they’re infinitely more interesting than they can ever imagine\, and their improv journey is spectacularly unique. There’s nothing more joyful than seeing someone find their feet\, believe in themselves and stop ‘thinking’ and just start playing! \nI’ve received mentoring from world famous improvisers\, including Susan Messing and Katy Schutte as I believe the best faciliators should always be developing themselves as artists. \nSome of the feedback I have received includes\,  \n“From a participant’s perspective: I felt very comfortable with you right from the start and love – and I mean love! – your sense of humor!” – Participant at the Short Notice Improv Festival\, 2024 \n“Love Jen’s energy! Brilliant teacher. Great fun to work with and really encouraging. Helped me build my confidence a lot.” Participant at the British Improv Project\, 2023 \n“Jen goes harder than anyone else in both her performance and her workshops. Enough said!” Absolute Onions improv team\, 2022
URL:https://birminghamimprovfestival.com/event/drive-it-like-youve-stolen-it-%f0%9f%8f%8e-jen-hardy/
LOCATION:Midlands Arts Centre\, Cannon Hill Park\, Birmingham\, West Midlands\, B12 9QH\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Half Day Workshop November 8th,Half-day,Workshop
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://birminghamimprovfestival.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Jen-HardyHeadshot-.jpeg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20261108T100000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20261108T170000
DTSTAMP:20260718T204833Z
CREATED:20260718T204833Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260718T204833Z
UID:10000057-1794132000-1794157200@birminghamimprovfestival.com
SUMMARY:Improvising Musicals- rich lyrics\, bold melodies - Lucy Trodd
DESCRIPTION:Tired of singing around the same three notes? Need some help finding metaphors and imagery? In this relaxed workshop we’ll explore the tools needed to create bolder improvised songs with braver melodies and more rooted lyrics. With over 20 years experience making up musicals in Olivier Award-winning Showstopper! The Improvised Musical\, Lucy creates a fun and safe space for you to be your most authentic self. Sing in any language. Founder of Folkestone Improv Theatre and creator of REUNITED: The Band. \nImprov Experience: This is an advanced workshop \nAbout Lucy Trodd \nLucy Trodd has been performing\, teaching and directing improv for over 20 years. As a founder member of Olivier Award winning Showstopper! The Improvised Musical\, she specialises in improvised singing and musicals. Lucy is also the founder of FIT- Folkestone Improv Theatre and a regular guest with The Comedy Store Players and Blues Hammer shows. ⁠ \nLucy has performed and taught at many international festivals including: Impro Amsterdam\, Momenta Leipzig\, Karlsruhe Impro Festival\, Rome’s Welcome and Colosseum Improv Festivals and 17 Edinburgh Fringe Festivals. She created and directed the show format REUNITED: The Band and co-created Dancing For Your Life\, Tea Cosy & Whimsy. ⁠ \nIn her classes\, she embraces silence and emotion\, and leads with kindness whilst giving clear\, actionable notes.⁠
URL:https://birminghamimprovfestival.com/event/improvising-musicals-rich-lyrics-bold-melodies-lucy-trodd/
LOCATION:Midlands Arts Centre\, Cannon Hill Park\, Birmingham\, West Midlands\, B12 9QH\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Full Day,Full Day Workshop November 8th,Workshop
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://birminghamimprovfestival.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Lucy-Trodd-photo-credit-Andrew-Pugsley_-Showstopper-Lucy-Trodd.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20261108T140000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20261108T170000
DTSTAMP:20260718T210312Z
CREATED:20260718T210312Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260718T210312Z
UID:10000059-1794146400-1794157200@birminghamimprovfestival.com
SUMMARY:Landing Planes 🛩 - Jen Hardy
DESCRIPTION:Air traffic control are skilled at knowing which planes to land and when. It would be impossible to land every plane at once\, so why do we try to do it when we improvise?  \nThis workshop gives you the skills to do the next logical thing in your scenes\, rather than the panic of having to land everything at once. \nImprov Experience:  \nAbout Jen Hardy \nHailing from the best city on earth (Liverpool!) I’m an improviser\, poet\, teacher and coach as well as being a producer at a Shakespearian theatre.  \nI’ve performed in all-female comedy troupes and Liverpool’s first UCB style team. I perform with multiple companies including Playing Dead Theatre and Rubbish Shakespeare with whom I have toured the country in the sell-out 5 star show\, The Incomplete Works of Shakespeare. I have produced several shows\, including Mystery Laugh\, an improvised family show and my debut solo show\, Wet Skeleton. \nA trained teacher\, I teach and coach across the UK and internationally. This has included international festivals and teams who’ve gone on to perform at international festivals and individuals who’ve gone on to carve out professional careers. \nAs the co-director of the Liverpool Improvisation Festival\, I’m passionate about exploring improvisation in all forms\, and supporting communities to perform and learn new ways to be spontaneous. \nI focus on getting folks to see their current strengths and build on them. To find their own style and lean into it – remembering that they’re infinitely more interesting than they can ever imagine\, and their improv journey is spectacularly unique. There’s nothing more joyful than seeing someone find their feet\, believe in themselves and stop ‘thinking’ and just start playing! \nI’ve received mentoring from world famous improvisers\, including Susan Messing and Katy Schutte as I believe the best faciliators should always be developing themselves as artists. \nSome of the feedback I have received includes\,  \n“From a participant’s perspective: I felt very comfortable with you right from the start and love – and I mean love! – your sense of humor!” – Participant at the Short Notice Improv Festival\, 2024 \n“Love Jen’s energy! Brilliant teacher. Great fun to work with and really encouraging. Helped me build my confidence a lot.” Participant at the British Improv Project\, 2023 \n“Jen goes harder than anyone else in both her performance and her workshops. Enough said!” Absolute Onions improv team\, 2022
URL:https://birminghamimprovfestival.com/event/landing-planes-jen-hardy/
LOCATION:Midlands Arts Centre\, Cannon Hill Park\, Birmingham\, West Midlands\, B12 9QH\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Half Day Workshop November 8th,Half-day,Workshop
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://birminghamimprovfestival.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Jen-HardyHeadshot-.jpeg
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DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20261108T140000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20261108T170000
DTSTAMP:20260722T181729Z
CREATED:20260720T192047Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260722T181729Z
UID:10000062-1794146400-1794157200@birminghamimprovfestival.com
SUMMARY:Zero to 100 (And back down to Zero again) - Alison Thea-Skot
DESCRIPTION:A workshop in stretching yourself and your improv choices to the max! How can you make fun moves\, extend them\, and then most importantly have the discipline to come back down to the ground again. \nThis workshop will help you explore which parts of ourselves can we stretch right up to 100. Let’s go big and go small ….. and then go home full of fun ideas. \nImprov Experience: This workshop would not suit beginners. Participants can ideally start\, maintain and end a scene.  \nAbout Alison Thea-Skot \nAlison is a highly skilled improviser\, performing for over 13 years on the UK’s biggest stages. She regularly performs and teaches at The Free Association Improv Theatre in London. She is a founding member of improv supergroup ‘Groundhog’\, hosts and stars in the smash hit ‘Uncle Glen’s Menagerie’\, recently performed in the UK tour of ‘Kool Story Bro’\, and was invited to perform a two-person hour long improv show with Jason Mantzoukas. \nAlongside performing\, she works as a director and coach. For 6 years she led the Comedy Lab course at Soho Theatre in London’s West End\, an advanced class for emerging comedians\, helping to develop their comedic talents. \n‘A real treat to see Alison Thea-Skot prove why she continues to be one of the best in the improv game.’ Lmaonaise Review\, Soho Theatre 2025
URL:https://birminghamimprovfestival.com/event/zero-to-100-and-back-down-to-zero-again-alison-thea-skot/
LOCATION:Midlands Arts Centre\, Cannon Hill Park\, Birmingham\, West Midlands\, B12 9QH\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Half Day Workshop November 8th,Half-day,Workshop
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://birminghamimprovfestival.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/ATS_0522-scaled.jpg
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20261108T180000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20261108T190000
DTSTAMP:20260718T170400Z
CREATED:20260718T170400Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260718T170400Z
UID:10000041-1794160800-1794164400@birminghamimprovfestival.com
SUMMARY:Taxi Tales (Ensemble)
DESCRIPTION:Who doesn’t love a chatty cabbie?\n​\nInspired by Raymond Carver’s short stories (which were later adapted into Robert Altman’s film ‘Short Cuts’)\, Mark Smith’s Taxi Tales is a playful exploration of humanity as seen through the simplest of interactions.\n\n​Set in the back of a taxi\, the story unfolds over a single night\, revealing the personal struggles and frustrations of everyday life for both the driver and their passengers. What emerges across the show is voyeuristic\, funny\, and very human.
URL:https://birminghamimprovfestival.com/event/taxi-tales-ensemble/
LOCATION:Midlands Arts Centre\, Cannon Hill Park\, Birmingham\, West Midlands\, B12 9QH\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Show,Show November 8th
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DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20261108T193000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20261108T203000
DTSTAMP:20260718T165617Z
CREATED:20260718T150436Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260718T165617Z
UID:10000037-1794166200-1794169800@birminghamimprovfestival.com
SUMMARY:Groundhog
DESCRIPTION:Groundhog are a fast\, funny improv group made up of four superstar improvisers from The Free Association Theatre in London who have been performing since it opened its doors in 2014. \nThey were crowned improv cagematch champions in 2023 and since then have regularly sold out shows in London and internationally. \n“Some of the best improv I’ve ever seen” Graham Dickson\, FA Founder \nGroundhog are: Alex Holland\, Naomi Petersen\, Alison Thea Skot and Jim Archer.
URL:https://birminghamimprovfestival.com/event/groundhog/
LOCATION:Midlands Arts Centre\, Cannon Hill Park\, Birmingham\, West Midlands\, B12 9QH\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Show,Show November 8th
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://birminghamimprovfestival.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/GhogNewimageforbigscene-Alex-Holland.png
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