Intro to Improv –Two-Day Beginners' Intensive

📅 Sundays 21st & 28th September, 2025

⏰ 11:30am–6pm at The Cross Keys, Thame

✨ £130 for both days (Max 12 people)

Across two Sundays, we’ll dive into the core skills of improvised theatre...aka impro/improv...playing games, making up scenes, characters, and stories in the moment, with nothing but your imagination and your scene partners to rely on. There’s zero pressure to be funny, clever, or theatrical. This is about discovering what happens when you say yes, stay present, and build something together from nothing.

You’ll learn the key principles that make improv work: agreement, spontaneity, listening, and trust. You’ll also explore what gets in the way—overthinking, self-doubt, trying to be entertaining—and how to let those habits go.

Expect lots of classic improv games, laughter, discovery, and those glorious moments when a scene takes off in a direction no one could have predicted.

We’ll cover:

* How to be more spontaneous

* Letting go of the inner critic

* Listening as if nothing else matters!

* Creating characters and stories on the spot

* Embracing mistakes and turning them into offers

No scripts, no pressure, no experience needed—just a willingness to try, play, and discover what improv can offer.

And the best part? The skills you’ll practice like curiosity, presence, adaptability and trust don’t just help on stage… they’re brilliant for everyday life & career too.

Teacher

Matt Sparkes has been teaching improv for over ten years, and he loves working with beginners. His sessions are welcoming, playful, and designed to help people build confidence, connect, and discover their creativity through improv.

Matt is the founder of Improv Discovery, which provides training and performance opportunities, including regular shows in Thame. He is also a co-director of the Oxford Improv Festival. Matt runs weekly drop-ins and teaches workshops at beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels in Thame, Oxford, and London. He has trained extensively with leading improvisers in the UK and internationally, and performs regularly in his two-person show Matt Plus Friend (and previously with The Descendants). He also coaches groups and offers one-to-one sessions.

Testimonials

“Thank you for a fabulous session! I absolutely loved it and want to let you know that you made my day.” – Donna

“Fascinating and fun! Matt creates a positive, supportive environment in which I felt empowered to explore, connect, create and learn.” – Jeremy

“Matt is an empathetic, intelligent teacher with a light-hearted yet profound touch. He got the class to open up easily and without pressure.” – Tina

“Well, I loved the exercises, the rhythm of the lesson, the exchanges, the originality and the challenge.” – Sandra

“I really enjoyed the session! A lovely eclectic bunch who were thoroughly engaged in being creative, kind and human.” – Ali

“The day was excellent! I would definitely like to come back again.” – Tina

“Hugely enjoyable! Matt is amazing at running the sessions!” – Gemma