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A list of increasingly intense improv injections

Liz Talbot

How do we sprinkle some more ‘prov into our everyday lives?

Improv theatre is a dish usually served in theatres or learning spaces - but what if you’d like to take it just a little further? What about…a great deal further? Here, presented in order of increasing intensity, is a list of improv injections that go beyond training and shows.

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Watch improvised productions on screen

(Intensity Level 2/10)

Of course, many of us will always fondly recall the series that ignited our love of improv, although what we create usually bears little resemblance to the final edited product shown on Whose Line Is It Anyway?
In the decades since it first aired, many other series have showcased improv at its finest.

Want to go full improv nerd? Start peeking at which of your favourite moments on screen in ostensibly scripted moments were actually improvised.

  • Robin Williams’ heart-warming “Do you want some cream?” moment in Mrs Doubtfire was improvised, as the icing on his face was melting quite rapidly under the studio lights.

  • Taika Waititi has explained that while filming What We Do In The Shadows, the team had written a full script, yet the actors were simply told the starting and ending point of each scene. Any further detail, such as dialogue, was improvised by the actors.

    (Tidbit courtesy of Improv Queensland’s resident smiley man and recent Colonel Pickering Drew Lochrie.)

  • The “Here’s Johnny!” line in The Shining was improvised by Jack Nicholson.

  • BONUS: James Cameron has claimed that the “I’m the King of the world!” line in Titanic was “improvised”, as he (James Cameron) thought of the line “on the spot” and then advised Leo Dicaprio to say the line. James Cameron should consider enrolling in an Improv Queensland Beginners Class.

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Read an improv book

(Intensity Level 3/10)

There is no one book about the craft of improv that can be considered a bible or a central source of truth, but there certainly are some texts that are now seen as classics. Have a browse through this list on Goodreads to get started.

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Read an improv academic journal entry

(Intensity Level 4/10)

As a craft, a skill, a tool for growth or a social movement to document, improv is taking its place in academic journals and in broader academia worldwide.

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Join one of the very active Facebook groups

(Intensity Level 4/10 - 8/10 DEPENDING ON LEVEL OF ENGAGEMENT IN INTERNET ARGUMENTS)

There is enough action happening in Facebook groups to keep you occupied full-time. You’ll realise that so many are on the same journey, being challenged in the same ways, pointing out the same eccentricities you’ve noticed in your own improv play.

Those who find it difficult to walk away from a minor disagreement or shake off some snark may find their jimmies heavily rustled by some of the back and forth in the higher-tempo groups with thousands of members across the globe, all of whom carry their own opinions and perspectives.

Local - Improv in Brisbane (LINK)

National - Improvisation Australia and New Zealand (LINK)

Global - Improv Discussion and Resources (LINK), Improv International (LINK), Impro/Improv/Improvisation Theater (LINK), Dramatic Improv Worldwide (LINK)

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Dabble with it in your workplace

(Intensity Level 5/10)

If you’re ready to shout from the rooftops about your love of improv, you can explore how it could be introduced to your workplace, or even dive deeper into the concept of applied improv.

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Re-learn improv

(Intensity Level 6/10)

After your first few years, consider the radical step of simply re-doing foundational improv courses. Think of how differently you will approach the learning exercises, and be reminded of things you may have forgotten since your initial training.

Your local improv organisation would no doubt appreciate your re-engagement - or you could purposefully pivot toward a new style. If you think your training and performance history is heavy on improv comedy, start again from scratch with a course focused on improv theatre, and vice versa.

Check out Improv Queensland’s course calendar here.

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Attend an interstate or international festival

(Intensity Level 7/10)

These events transplant you from your home base into a new atmosphere, and you’ll enjoy it so much that you won’t realise that you’ve just paid your own hard-earned money to undertake training for your hobby while you’re on annual leave. When did you become like this?

Take a look at these bad boys:

  • ITS Comedy Festival (LINK)

  • Improvention (LINK)

  • Brisbane Improv Festival (LINK)

  • Auckland Improv Festival (LINK)

  • New Zealand Improv Festival (LINK)

  • The Improv Network’s Festival List (LINK)

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Go Full Hog with an international training course

(Intensity Level 10/10)

If there were official tiers in improv, we’d assign Platinum Class to those who have taken the brave, joyful step of enrolling in an extended training course overseas.

Summer intensives are run by organisations in the States such as Annoyance, World’s Greatest Improv School and iO Theater.

Patti Stiles, Shawn Kinley and Steve Jarand are about to drop some further details about a spring intensive in a picturesque German village in March 2025. Sign up to their mailing list if you’re a fan of learning about an awesome, fun experience that you probably can’t fit in to your plans right now but you won’t completely rule out just yet!

Would you like to share your thoughts on this list? Do you want to recommend an improv book or challenge an assigned improv intensity level? Get in touch with Improv Queensland on our socials and be heard.