You may have seen improvisation on the TV shows Whose Line Is It Anyway or Thank God You’re Here and wondered, “How do they come up with such cool ideas so quickly?” In improvisation classes you’ll develop similar skills with useful applications in your wider life, including thinking on your feet, learning how to view life’s challenges as opportunities, and knowing how to come up with innovative solutions.
Learn how to get laughs, listen deeply, get out of your head and into your body, and become fluent with body language and expression.
Learn the art of “Yes, and”
Improvisation teaches you how to listen carefully to your scene partner. To say “yes” to their offers; and to add something creative to the scene: that’s the “and” part! During our 9-week improvisation course you’ll learn the art of “Yes, and” by applying it in activities, games and scenes with your classmates.
Develop confidence
Even if you’ve never improvised in front of others, our classes will help you develop the skills to improvise confidently, knowing you have what it takes to engage your audience and advance the narrative in entertaining ways. Our 9-week course is designed to take someone who struggles with confidence and get them ready to shine!
Planning vs. Going with the Flow
During the 9-week course you’ll develop skills that allow you to be more flexible, both in class and in your wider life. Improvisors thrive because they’re able to accept whatever comes their way — turning circumstances into opportunities.
Minimum age policy
Impro Cairns courses are designed primarily for adults. As such, courses are only open to individuals who are 18 years of age or older at the time of enrolment. Enrolment by persons under 18 is not permitted under any circumstances.
Beginner Impro repeat enrolments
Impro Cairns Beginner 101 and 102 courses have different content and learning objectives. The courses complement one another and may be completed in either order.
Students who have completed a Beginner course may choose to repeat that same course once at 50% of the full course fee, providing an opportunity to consolidate their skills and confidence before progressing further.
The repeat discount applies once only to each completed Beginner course. Any subsequent repeat enrolments in the same course will be charged at the full or concession rate, whichever is applicable.
Bring someone for FREE
Enrolled students in Beginner Impro may bring a friend for FREE to either Week 1 or Week 2 of the Beginner Impro. No previous improv experience is required.
Enrolled students in Improv 201 and/or Music Impro 102 may bring a fellow Impro Cairns graduate for FREE to either Week 1 or Week 2 of the relevant course, provided they meet the course prerequisites. Each guest may attend one FREE class.
For insurance, duty of care and venue capacity, guests complete their own registration forms.
My Impro life: Kevan Gregory
I’ve always been a performer, just ask my family and school friends! Ever the class clown — sometimes to my detriment. I studied drama and acting all the way through my schooling in Perth and in 1993, graduated with distinction BA English – Theatre Arts and Film and TV production at Curtin University. I’ve performed in many plays, studied stagecraft, lighting, set design, sound design, musical theatre, acting styles, costuming, mask work, mime, front-of-house and many other interesting aspects of the theatrical world; but my favourite was always Improvisation. I’ve completed the relevant units in Cert 4 Workplace Training and Assessment and have been teaching many topics (including Improvisation) for decades – have a look through the rest of the website! I love imparting my knowledge and facilitating the “group wisdom” to deliver interesting and thrilling classes that will skill you up as a vibrant and entertaining improvisor!
Introducing Bec Wright
I occasionally help out teaching the beginner courses. I hold a Bachelor of Learning Management from CQU and I’m employed locally with the Department of Education as a primary school relief teacher. I studied and performed Improv through Big Fork Theatre in Brisbane for three years before moving up to Cairns; where I continue to complete impro training to keep my skills fresh and up-to-date. I share my creativity, positivity, imagination and high energy with everyone; and I'm very welcoming and understanding towards new students. I'm very approachable and will melt away your nervousness almost instantaneously.
Introducing Michele Goeldi
I’ve been lucky enough to begin my inspired impro experience in Cairns with teacher extraordinaire Kevan. Mike and Bec have also tickled humour, play and delight over the past couple of years. I’m a primary school teacher, social ecologist and psychotherapist but don’t be intimidated because I’m still just an impro newby — despite my loooong life experience, extraordinary talents and modesty! I once faced the terrors of a stand-up comedy workshop with Mandy Nolan and the heart-warming clowning-for-therapy training with Patch Adams. However, not one of these magnificent life experiences has been a patch on the amazingly exuberant fun engendered in ImproCairns playshops.
WHAT’S ON
TERM 4 | 3 COURSES
COURSE 1
Beginner Impro 102 | New Directions
New students
Students enrolling in Beginner Impro 102: New Directions for the first time pay the standard course fee of $265 or $220 concession.
Impro Cairns Beginner 101 graduates
Students progressing from Beginner Impro 101 to New Directions receive a $25 returning-student discount off the full fee, reducing the course fee to $240. Concession cardholders pay $220. Discounts are not deducted from concession fees.
Repeating New Directions graduates
Students who have completed Beginner Impro 102: New Directions can repeat the course once at 50% off the full fee. This is a one-time offer. If a student subsequently chooses to repeat a Beginner course again, the full fee applies. The repeat-course offer is intended to provide an opportunity to consolidate Beginner-level skills before progressing into Intermediate training.
COURSE 2
Impro 201 | Polishing the Basics
Ready to take your improvisation further?
Improv 201: Polishing the Basics is an intermediate course designed for improvisers who already have a grounding in the fundamentals and are ready to develop greater confidence, range and ensemble awareness.
We’ll build on the foundations of making and accepting offers, Yes And, endowment, mime, character and status, while exploring stronger storytelling and narrative, character relationships, imagined environments, group movement, rhythm, music and longer-form scene work.
The course is open to Impro Cairns students who have completed at least one of our Beginner Impro courses, 101 or 102, and to improvisers who have completed comparable foundational training elsewhere.
The emphasis is on polishing the basics rather than abandoning them: listening more closely, making clearer choices, sharing focus, supporting your scene partners and giving scenes room to breathe.
COURSE 3
Music Impro 102 | Sound in Action
This course is suitable for graduates from our Beginner Impro course who’d like to learn how to incorporate music into their improvised scenes. We'll explore rhythm, rhyme, melody and harmony; and learn how to apply our musical ideas via a number of fun games and exercises. You don’t have to be a musician or a great singer to attend this course. We’ll teach you how to use the musical skills you have and how to improve your voice. However, musicians are also very welcome to apply and bring any instruments they might like to play.
This course builds on the skills taught in Beginner Impro 101 and 102, and is open to Impro Cairns students who have completed either or both of the Beginner courses, or to students who've completed comparable foundational improvisation training elsewhere. Music Impro will apply Yes/And, endowment, Peas in a Pod, basic mime, gibberish, status and other foundational improv skills through music and sound. There’s a Free Intro because some eligible Beginner graduates may have had little or no previous exposure to Music Impro. It'll give you an opportunity to dip a toe in before deciding whether you want to commit to the course.
The course will combine creative musical improvisation with more practical and technical training, including:
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voice, singing and vocal SFX
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melody, harmony, rhythm and tempo
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percussion and ensemble playing
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basic keyboard skills
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acoustic percussion and chordal instruments
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basic mixing desk and amplifier setup
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connecting and disconnecting electronic instruments and audio equipment safely
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microphone placement and handling
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proximity effect, windscreens and pop filters
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cable management, trip-hazard prevention, winding and storage
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using sound and music creatively within scenes, movement and impro games.
So sometimes we’re putting sound into action, and sometimes we’re putting action into sound.
TIMELINE COURSE OVERVIEW
Free Impro Jams
for graduates, teaching staff and current Beginners
Our Free Impro Jams are informal practice sessions designed primarily for graduates of our Beginners or Continuing Improvisation Courses and for our teaching/facilitating team, with a special opportunity for current Beginners to attend as part of their learning journey. They are not open to the general public.
These sessions are a space to:
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Keep skills fresh and confidence high between courses and shows
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Experiment with new formats, games, and scene work
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Practise facilitation or coaching techniques in a supportive environment
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Support current Beginners in applying what they’re learning
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Maintain connection with the Impro Cairns community
About the Jams
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Focus is on play, experimentation, and mutual support rather than formal instruction
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Roles rotate naturally: player, facilitator, coach, or observer
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Free to attend — our way of supporting ongoing growth within our community
Intent and style
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Casual, collaborative, and exploratory
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A safe space to try new ideas and take creative risks
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Mistakes are welcomed as learning opportunities
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Sessions may include structured games, open scene work, or coaching practice
How to join
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Invitations and details are shared via email or private group channels
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RSVP is appreciated as numbers may be limited
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Bring curiosity, enthusiasm, and a willingness to play
Use the CONTACT FORM for enquiries.
How to pay
• CASH • VISA • MASTERCARD • EFTPOS • APPLE PAY • GPAY
All credit card payments attract a 2% processing fee, which can be avoided by paying via bank transfer.
• DIRECT DEBIT to BSB 923100 | Account Number 65024313 | Name ImproCairns
Please mark the relevant fields with your name and IMPRO CAIRNS, so we can track your payment.
Please advise in advance if you require a receipt.
REFUNDS There are no refunds offered after the course starts, so consult your diary and mark down our class dates before committing.
You’re welcome to pay now if you’re certain you want to do this course, but you can pay by the first night of the course if you’re trying out a Free Intro Class first.
Casual classes for past graduates
Past Impro Cairns graduates may attend eligible classes on a casual basis for $35 per class, subject to course prerequisites, available places and prior arrangement.
Casual attendance is intended for graduates wishing to refresh or continue their improv skills on an ad-hoc basis. New students are required to enrol in the full course rather than attend on a casual, pay-as-you-go basis.
You can pay cash on the night; please bring correct money. Or, pay in advance via direct debit.
FAQ
What if I’m afraid of performing in front of others?
Some people get stressed about having to come up with ideas on the fly and create something entertaining, interesting or funny out of thin air. It comes down to a fear of failing in front of others and looking stupid. Guess what! No one cares if you fail in impro class. In fact, failing is a great way to learn from mistakes; and besides, failure is often the funniest part of a scene or game!
So don’t worry, we’ve got your back, and we’ve failed heaps more times than you have, so we’re experts on stuffing it up! Instead of shrinking away from a failed attempt at improvising, well teach you how to take a bow, loudly exclaim: “I failed!” and receive enthusiastic applause from your supportive classmates. We’re all in this together.
Is there an age limit for classes?
Classes are for ages 18 and over. Sorry, we cannot accommodate younger people at this time.
How much do courses cost?
Course fees vary depending on the course. Current full and concession fees, along with any applicable discounts or special offers, are shown in the course information above.
Concession rates are available to eligible cardholders. To claim a concession rate, you’ll need to provide evidence of your current concession eligibility.
What are the course dates and times?
Course details and dates and times are in the panels above. Selected Impro Cairns courses include a FREE Intro class before the course begins, providing an opportunity to meet us, have a play and experience the course before deciding whether to enrol. Check the current course information above for available FREE Intro classes, dates and times.
What if I’m unwell?
If you’re feeling unwell or experiencing symptoms of a contagious illness, please stay home and rejoin us when you're feeling better. Hand sanitiser and hand soaps are available at classes, and we encourage everyone to wash their hands after using the toilet and before eating, and to be considerate of their own health and wellbeing, and that of their fellow students.
Where are classes held?
Impro Cairns courses are held at venues around Cairns. Our main venue is Cominos House, 27 Greenslopes Street, Edge Hill, while some courses are held at our White Rock Studio. Please check the individual course information above for the venue applicable to your course.
What if I miss a class?
For your own benefit and that of your teammates we recommend you don’t miss more than two classes during a course. If you know you'll be absent, please let your teacher know in advance.
Ok, I'm interested. What do I do next?
Please click/tap on REGISTER HERE, so we can keep you in the loop for future opportunities to learn and practice with us.
Partner child/back arch
Impro Cairns acknowledges the Gimuy Walaburra Yidinji and Yirrangangi people as the traditional custodians of the land, seas, and waterways around where we improvise. We pay respect to their elders, past and present.
