Jim Fishwick
Jim Fishwick (they/them) is an award-winning director, improviser, teacher and writer.
They began improvising at the age of seventeen with Impro Australia in Sydney, and went on to perform and teach improvisation at the University of Sydney, Impro Melbourne, and Academy of Improvisation. They have been in demand as a freelance theatremaker and consultant around Australia and Aotearoa for over a decade.
They are the general manager of Jetpack Theatre, who have been creating experiential, interactive, improvised and immersive theatre since 2015, and the former artistic co-director of the New Zealand Improv Festival.
Jim regularly performs with Maddie Parker and Emilia Higgs as The Joy Riders, writes questions for the BBC2 quiz show Only Connect, and devised the award-winning show The Saboteur and the internationally touring show Grifted & Talented.
Improv loves: Getting to play the ridiculous and the poetic simultaneously!
Comedy hero: Eddie Izzard
Favourite improv advice: Be a Swiss Army Knife of improvisation, ready to make the most of any offer that comes your way!
Offstage: I enjoy cryptic crosswords, play the ukulele, and try to keep my cats Robin and Scully out of the plants on my balcony.
Testimonials
“Jim’s teaching style is warm and empowering. They strike a perfect balance of learning through listening and through doing.”
— NZ Improv Festival Participant
“Jim is a very gentle teacher, focused on getting the best out of their team. THEY ARE AWESOME!!”
— NZ Improv Festival Participant
“Jim has a fantastic teaching style. They’re excellent at making you feel safe and encouraged to get out of your comfort zone, but still able to give very precise and honest feedback to help hone your skills. I’d recommend taking any course they’re teaching.”
— ITS student