Telenovela: A Deep Dive with Matías Avaca

THE WORKSHOP

Get ready to turn up the drama and bring the passion in this improv workshop inspired by the beloved Latin American soap-opera genre: telenovela.

We’ll explore over-the-top acting, heightened emotions, complex relationships and outrageous plot twists while learning how to sustain drama and keep an audience hooked. We’ll also examine how cultural differences and language barriers can fuel richer storytelling and unexpected comedy.

Step into a world of betrayal, secrets and redemption, and discover how sincerity and exaggeration can coexist to make scenes both powerful and hilarious.

CASTING NOTE

Some workshop participants will be invited to perform in Hotel Sol at 5.30pm the day of the workshop. Participation in the workshop does not guarantee a place in the cast.

Those invited to join the show will be contacted within approx one hour of the workshop. If selected, performers will need to be available from 4.30pm for a quick chat, check-in and warm up before the 5.30pm show.

THE Teacher
Matías Avaca is an Argentinian improviser, director, teacher and producer based in Aotearoa New Zealand. His work explores language, identity and connection through multilingual, non-verbal and visually driven unscripted theatre.

He has taught and performed in more than 15 countries and is a co-founder of Laenye Productions, Mabel Impro and the Auckland Improv Festival. His original formats include Comedy World League, Hotel Sol, Bonfire and La Catrina.

“Matías is a wonderful and passionate person and teacher. Do yourself a favour and take any class he’s teaching!” — NZIF participant, 2023

“Matías is an experienced and engaging teacher, very skilled at keeping students focused while opening the whole class up to the nuances of his topic.” — NZIF participant, 2023

“It was a fantastic workshop! The different tools that were taught by Matías were very easy to follow, but at the same time, they helped me understand the underlying emotion, vulnerability and intensity so well in a short period of time.” — Sydney workshop participant, 2026

Experience level

Students should be comfortable performing improvised scenes without external coaching or direction and sustaining characters and relationships beyond a brief scene.

Prior experience with narrative longform or genre improv will be helpful, but students do not need any previous knowledge of telenovelas.

Sat 14 Nov, 10am – 1pm at Improv Theatre Sydney

This workshop is part of the ITS Comedy Festival 2026. Check out the full program here.