History

Welcome!

Nathan Improv Local delivered high quality professional improv comedy and acting training, as well as theatre events in various towns and cities in the UK. These included Basingstoke; Canterbury, Cardiff, and Margate. 

Yeah, I had a wonderful time doing these. It was most definitely an adventure. This is not to say I will not teach. This is to admit, I cannot put time into setting these events up anymore.

Hampshire

Wales

Canterbury, Kent

Margate, Kent

So, I taught Improv in Wales, and Taught Improv in the South East of England. I also lived, taught, directed and performed in Bristol. That was not under this guise, but the then developing scene into theatre, BIT.

There were various courses that I delivered:

Level 1: Fundamentals of Improv

The class explored spontaneity and its application to create comedy live. We explored thoughts on spontaneity, and enhancing the performance of the players through using playfulness in their improvisation. Playfulness gets us out of the way of ego, judgement and expectations, which are three elements that kill our improv. Improv is great when people share the stage - we are reliant on one and another. It is also inclusive, as you will be in-play and a member of the moment no matter. 

We learned the basics of improvisation, such as active listening, agreement and adding, and supporting each other. Improv is an open art form, where we search for freedom and honesty for comedy!

Useful to all, as the fundamentals are applicable to any areas of life: business and personal. 

Get into comedy, spontaneity and theatre that assists people's desires and flexibility.

Level 2: Efficiency in Scenework 

This course highlighted the actor's need for scenic understanding and the capacity to delve deep into characters. First, students focused on their communication with each other making sure that they can communicate clearly as individuals and as a group. Next the students practiced using what is there to release each other from burden and invention. Students worked through clarity and honesty.
Great for actor's training and the classes, courses and weekends will be open to people wishing to explore the topic of efficiency through improvisation.

Level 3: Game of the Scene

The course began by developing students with a deeper understanding of comedy in scenic improv and reaching an effortlessly funny scene. First, students focused on knowing their fun. Next the students practiced using 'Game of the Scene' in one clear method. Students will be working on improvising 'sketch-like' scenes.

Pre-requisite for this course is improv training. These courses were best completed in order. This was open to comedians, actors, improvisers and generally everyone that holds an interest in developing their improv comedy.

After these basic courses, I offered form focused classes. The hugely beneficial format that can offer a lot of development in your improv comedy is the Harold.

Level 4: Harold #1 Training Wheels

In the course, we explored the elements of what makes the form work. We sought out the points of development that the production offers and be able to perform a basic 'training wheels' Harold. After recapping performer's focus, game of the scene and the literal structure of the form, we delved into themes and beats; gaining source material and accomplishing 'group games'; closing and re-incorporation.

Level 5: Harold #2 Advanced

In this course, we built on the first Harold course by seeking a full free-flowing Harold that requires a tight ensemble and acute awareness of how the source material is used; the overall production and the way the cast follows the show; using the suggestion fully; embellishing themes to a complete effect.

Format Days

A day of a specific format as they were either originally designed or bastardised version, for the purpose of their unique skill offerings and development opportunities.

This series of format days expressed the importance of formats. We delved into the schools of thought behind them; their wealth of assets; the variety in the small segment of improvisation that is our improv comedy realm.

Such as:

• Detours
• La Ronde
• WeirDass
• Deconstruction
• Macroscene
• Openings (i.e. invocation; monologues; pattern game; scene painting)
• Living Room
• Armando
• Slacker
• One Act
• Monoscene
• The Bat
• and more...