Yes, and…
No experience needed. Nobody has to be funny. Performing is always optional.
Improvised theatre and comedy for everyone at UEA: students from every school, and staff too. Come to play, connect and grow.
Everyone starts as a beginner.
UEA Improv is a welcoming community where anyone can explore improv, build real skills, have fun and meet new people along the way.
Each week there's a workshop. Stage time is there if you want it, and nobody is pushed on. Whether you've done theatre for years or never stood on a stage, there's room here to play.
What you build, one scene at a time
- Confidence.
- Yes, and creativity.
- And communication skills.
- And taking risks, with people who have your back.
- And adaptability.
- And a sense of belonging.
Whatever you study, the answer is yes, and…
- Law
- Medicine
- Maths
- History
- Computing
- Biology
- Economics
- Nursing
- Philosophy
- Chemistry
- Film
- Business
- Geography
- Physics
- Languages
- Politics
- Education
- Engineering
- Drama
- Psychology
- Not sure yet
UEA Improv is open to the whole university. Drama and Psychology run it together, but you don't need to study either to join in. Work at UEA? There's a dedicated staff group too. Never tried improv, or done years of theatre? Either way, there's a place for you.
More than comedy.
Laughs happen, but we're here for the craft of improvised theatre. We work from principles developed by the British educator Keith Johnstone.
- Letting go of fear
- Embracing mistakes
- Adaptability
- Focused attention
- Presence
- Reading human interaction
Status: who's in charge?
Same words, different power. Slide the balance and watch who gets big. It's one of the first things we play with on a Wednesday.
A: That’s my seat. B: Sorry. Of course. Sorry.
A has the status. B is giving it away.
When you want more
Advanced sessions may explore:
- Spontaneous storytelling
- Status
- Character development
- Ensemble building
Every mistake is an offer.
In improv, the thing you didn't plan is often the best thing on stage. We practise catching it, building on it, and letting it take us somewhere new.
A stage, when you want one.
Performing is optional. When you feel ready, there's a stage: from a charity panto to the university's End of Year Festival. Next up: An Unscripted Christmas, a charity show on Friday 4 December.
Two disciplines, one scene.
Behind the scenes, UEA Improv is part of a growing partnership between Drama and Psychology, running since 2023. On stage, it belongs to everyone.
-
Dr. Yiovi Derpsch
Lecturer in Psychology & improviser
Founder & lead
-
Mike Bernardin
Drama, LDC
In collaboration
-
Sarah Nacmanson
Drama, LDC
In collaboration
Your first scene starts at the door.
Just turn up to a weekly workshop. Nobody expects you to be funny, and nobody will put you on the spot.
- When
- Wednesdays, 6pm
- Where
- C.Chamber, Arts & Humanities Building (AHB), UEA campus. Find it on the campus map (external site)
- How
- Just walk in. No booking, nothing to bring.
- Ask us
- y.derpsch@uea.ac.uk
Before you come
- Do I have to study Drama or Psychology?
- Not at all. It's open to everyone at UEA, whatever your course.
- I work at UEA. Can I join?
- Yes. There's a dedicated staff group, open to everyone working at UEA.
- Do I have to be funny?
- No. Laughs turn up by themselves when people play. Nobody is waiting for you to be funny.
- Do I need any experience?
- None at all. Complete beginners are exactly who we're for.
- Will I have to perform?
- No. Performances are optional, whenever you feel ready, if ever.
- I've done theatre before. Is it for me?
- Yes. It's a good way back into the craft, and advanced sessions go further.