ITS Comedy Festival 2023 – Workshops
WORKSHOPS
Check out our freaking workshops dude! We’ve got teachers from all over the place teaching all of the things. Don’t miss your chance to learn from these world class improvisers while at the ITS Comedy Festival.
JIM FISHWICK (SYDNEY / GADIGAL)
WE’RE GOING ON A BEAR HUNT
Monday 13 Nov, 6:30 – 9:30pm
How to go over, under and through the obstacle of a scene that’s gotten stuck!
Taught by award-winning improviser, writer, teacher and performer Jim Fishwick.
PATRICK ROWLAND (LA / CHICAGO)
Sketch writing
TUESDAY 13 Nov, 6:30PM – 9:30pm
Learn how to develop, take an existing idea, break it down, format it, and write a tight sketch that can be put up easily on stage or video.
Patrick is a writer, comedian, and actor from Chicago, now residing in Los Angeles. He’s studied and taught at The Second City and iO Theater.
PATRICK ROWLAND (LA / Chicago)
Fast and Funny
Thursday 16 Nov, 2PM – 5PM
This class teaches folks how to play for quicker pacing, just like Patrick’s legendary improv team 3Peat in Chicago.
Patrick is a writer, comedian, and actor from Chicago, now residing in Los Angeles. He’s studied and taught at The Second City and iO Theater.
JIM FISHWICK (SYDNEY / GADIGAL)
EVERYTHING EVERYONE
HERE WE GO
FRIDAY 17 Nov, 2PM – 5pm
A deep dive into making large-cast ensemble driven improv where all the improvisers are on stage all the time.
Taught by award-winning improviser, writer, teacher and performer Jim Fishwick.
JANETTE MCBRIDE (BRISBANE / MEANJIN)
KULTURA
SATURDAY 18 Nov, 10AM – 1PM
Learn storytelling techniques to explore and celebrate your cultural background from traditions to taboos, which will inform genuine and hilarious characters and scenes.
Janette McBride is a Filipina-Australian who was an actor and television host in the Philippines, and is an improviser, improv teacher, house team coach, and producer in Australia.
MARK GRIMES (BRISBANE / MEANJIN)
IMPROVISE AND HARMONISE: SOLO SINGING IN MUSICAL IMPROV!
SATURDAY 18 Nov, 10AM – 1pm
Dive into improvised musical solos and learn how an ensemble can take it to an entirely new level!
Mark is an improviser, musician, actor and music teacher who has taught and performed all over the world and is a currently a Director of Big Fork Theatre in Brisbane.
ZACH ZUCKER (LA/NEW YORK)
CLOWN MASTERCLASS – LISTEN TO LAUGHS (5hrs)
SATURDAY 18 Nov, 11AM – 4pm
Through a series of playful exercises, games and improvised scenes, you’ll be encouraged to take risks, be impulsive, leave your bad ideas at the door, and organically build towards creating a repeatable routine onstage.
Zach is an award-winning performer and producer who’s been touring the international comedy circuit for the past decade. He is the creator of Stamptown, the alter-ego of New York’s greatest comedian Jack Tucker, and one half of Norwegian-American clown duo, Zach & Viggo.
Katherine Weaver (MELBOURNE / NAARM)
HAPPY FAIL
SUNDAY 18 Nov, 10AM – 1PM
Embrace imperfection, rediscover play: join our improv workshop for joyful failure and trust-building
Katherine Weaver has been performing and teaching improv for over 15 years, and is the Artistic Director of Impro Melbourne.
SUSAN WILLIAMS (TE-WHANGANUI-A-TARA / WELLINGTON)
GALACTAPEDIA
SUNDAY 19 Nov, 10AM – 1pm
5…4…..3…2…1 Blastoff into the world of radio drama! Can’t afford a realistic spaceship for your next improv show? Grab a mechanical eggbeater, a microphone, and some description skills and get ready to cruise the cosmos!
Susan (they/them) is an improvisor, actor, comedian, improv teacher, theatre maker, playwright, poet, disability advocate, and sci-fi nerd from Te Whanganui-A-Tara (Wellington), Aotearoa (New Zealand).
TIANA HOGBEN (MELBOURNE / NAARM)
YOU DID WHAT?!
SUNDAY 18 Nov, 2PM – 5PM
Your scene partner’s words are gold. Make them even shinier with how you decide to react using emotions!
Tiana Hogben is an improviser, actor and writer based in Melbourne/Naarm, who teaches and performs regularly with The Improv Conspiracy and is currently an ensemble member on Thank God You’re Here.
PATRICK ROWLAND (LA / CHICAGO)
MAKING CHARACTERS REAL
SUNDAY 19 Nov, 2PM – 5pm
In “Making Characters Real” you will learn how to hold onto , and play realistic characters. Through engaging exercises, you will tap into the point of view, expand your character base, and find new methods for making them believable and sustainable.
Patrick is a writer, comedian, and actor from Chicago, now residing in Los Angeles. He’s studied and taught at The Second City and iO Theater.
ZACH ZUCKER (LA/NEW YORK)
CLOWN MASTERCLASS – LISTEN TO LAUGHS (3hrs)
THURSDAY 23rd NOV, 6:30PM-9:30PM
Through a series of playful exercises, games and improvised scenes, you’ll be encouraged to take risks, be impulsive, leave your bad ideas at the door, and organically build towards creating a repeatable routine onstage.
Zach is an award-winning performer and producer who’s been touring the international comedy circuit for the past decade. He is the creator of Stamptown, the alter-ego of New York’s greatest comedian Jack Tucker, and one half of Norwegian-American clown duo, Zach & Viggo.
