Online Course: Format Design Deep Dive with Jim Fishwick

Want to go from playing in other people’s shows to making your own? Want to lift the lid on what makes improv formats work? Got a burning idea for a show but don’t know where to start?

In this dynamic and practical course, you’ll learn the ropes of inventing and refining improvised shows, with a little bit of theory, a few case studies, and a whole lot of hands-on theatremaking, just with no actual scenework.

Each week, you’ll be given the challenge to develop a completely new show, exploring a different aspect of improv formats, and you’ll have one week to develop your show (that’s right, there’s homework!). You’ll receive in-depth feedback on your work and process from Jim and the class, and come away with a portfolio of ideas to try out.

About the teacher

Jim Fishwick is an award-winning director, teacher, actor and writer based on Gadigal and Wangal land in Sydney, Australia. They are currently the general manager of Jetpack Theatre, creating experiential, interactive and immersive theatre, and the Artistic Director of Improv Theatre Sydney, where they regularly teach, direct and perform.

“Jim‘s class was a fantastic opportunity to be reminded of the possibilities inherent in this artform. Not only did Jim give us a safe and creative space to play with our ideas, but also they gave us the confidence and encouragement to break out of existing patterns and ways of thinking about improv.”

“I took this class based on my appreciation for Jim Fishwick’s formats and thoughtful approach to improv. Jim is a great and supportive teacher, with considered and helpful feedback and clear and practical ideas. The course was well structured and the practical assignments – creating a new show from a prompt each week – not only ensure you practice but enable you to come out of the course with some real and visible progress on your craft. I have often taken courses and found that the content has left my brain soon after – whether because it was familiar or hard to directly apply. This course was both practical and interesting and will stay with me for a long time and certainly help in my work as an improviser, director and producer of shows. Thanks Jim!”

6-week online course | Classes 6-8pm | Thur 11 Jun – 16 Jul

Students should have a strong foundation in improvisation and some performance experience. This workshop assumes a working knowledge of improv performance skills. For ITS students, having completed ITS Level 6 is a good benchmark. Please contact us if you’re unsure if this course is for you.

As a reminder, this course is completely online and theory-driven, with no active improvised scenework. Participants will be expected to complete 30–60 minutes of homework each week between classes, to create and document a new format idea. While some notes from each session will be provided, we encourage participants to have a pen and paper close to hand to take their notes during class as well. You will be emailed a link to access the class! 

— About Our Venue —

📍 We are at 44-54 Botany Road, Redfern, 2016

👩‍🦽 ITS is wheelchair accessible, with one small step to get into the space.

🚗 There is street parking in the streets surrounding the venue.

🚂 Redfern Station is a 10 minute walk away. Waterloo Metro is a 2 min walk.