UEA Improv Come along

How did this start?

UEA Improv has grown steadily from an evening group for alumni into an inclusive, university-wide community with dedicated groups for students and staff. We tell the story the way improvisers build one: beat by beat.

Our evolution and timeline

  1. Once upon a time… An evening group for alumni

    It started as an evening group for alumni who wanted to keep playing, hosted by Mike Bernardin’s Ensemble Lab in Drama at LDC (Literature, Drama and Creative Writing). Weekly workshops ran through the first semester.

    Open to Alumni

  2. Until one day… LDC students join

    The group opened to undergraduate and postgraduate students across the whole LDC school.

    Open to Alumni and LDC students

  3. Because of that… Every school, and a troupe

    It grew into a programme open to all UEA students, from every school: run by Drama and Psychology, but not a Drama society. A student troupe formed, The Egg-Benedicts, and three months later some of them were on stage in An Unscripted Panto!, a Christmas charity show.

    Open to Every UEA student, every school

    A dozen UEA Improv members smiling together in a studio, some standing, some sitting on the floor.
    UEA Improv members in the rehearsal studio.

  4. Because of that… Staff get their own line

    A second line branched off: a dedicated staff group, open to everyone working at UEA. The same month, The Egg-Benedicts played three nights at the End of Year Festival.

    Open to Staff, alongside the students

  5. Until finally… One university, two groups

    UEA Improv is now a university-wide initiative with two dedicated groups, each with a space designed for the people in it.

    UEA Improv – Students

    For all UEA students, from every school.

    UEA Improv – Staff

    For everyone working at UEA.

    Both share the same ethos: learning, connection, creativity and play.

  6. Now every Wednesday

    And ever since then… The door’s open every Wednesday

    The weekly workshop is Wednesdays, 6pm, in the C.Chamber of the Arts & Humanities Building (AHB). No experience needed.

    Open to Everyone at UEA

Your turn.

Take the next line at a weekly workshop. Performing is always optional, and nobody will put you on the spot.

Map to the C.Chamber (external site)

Nervous? Read what happens before you come.

Add Wednesdays to your calendar