Impro Australia

"Theatresports people are such finely trained improvisational athletes that no matter what you throw at them they just bat it back."

  • Tom Gleisner, Network 10’s Thank God You’re Here

Impro Australia is the organisation behind Theatresports®, which is recognised as the original and most popular form of improvised comedy. Not-for-profit and members owned, NSW-based Impro-Australia is dedicated to exploring the craft of improvisational theatre, and actively promoting Theatresports® in the community, in schools and universities, at festivals, and in the corporate sector.
Theatresports®-style games â€" which challenge performers to create instant, spontaneous theatre – are also the inspiration for TV shows such as Network 10’s Thank God You’re Here, and FOXTEL’s Whose Line is it Anyway?
Impro Australia has been around for 25 years and in that time has helped launch many a comedy and theatre star, such as Andrew Denton and Rebecca De Unamuno. It continues to attract aspiring performers of all ages, from all walks of life, and offers Theatresports® training and fun-filled workshops that build confidence, lateral thinking, self-expression, teamwork, and communication skills.

Impro Australia’s long-running Cranston Cup® competition â€" past winners of which include Sydney Community College tutors – and weekly Scared Scriptless® shows have built up a loyal following, and top participants are viewed as some of the world’s best.

With a bursting calendar of shows at the Belvoir St and Enmore theatres, among others, and a full diary of commitments in the corporate and education sectors, Impro Australia, and the Theatresports® for which it is a byword, goes from strength to strength.

Michael Gregory

Course

Introduction to Theatrical Improvisation

Country of birth

Australia

Qualifications

  • Accredited TheatreSports trainer

Experience

Michael brings tremendous depth and range of experience to his role as a tutor of theatrical improvisation, having worked in this exciting field for almost 20 years. Michael has taught improv at one respected dramatic arts institution after another, including TheatreSports Inc, Impro Australia, AADA (the Australian Academy of Dramatic Art), The Actors Centre and NIDA (National Institute of Dramatic Art). He is equally well versed in drama education, having taught in numerous tertiary, secondary and primary educational institutions.

Michael also has many enthusiastic corporate clients, for whom he has devised and presented fun-filled workshops focusing on team building, ‘thinking on your feet’, and listening to others’ ideas.

Drawing on his improvisation skills, Michael also workshops role-plays for clients in both the corporate and government sectors.

Achievements

Michael’s achievements in theatrical improvisation are varied and impressive:

  • Multiple TheatreSports State Champion
  • TheatreSports National Champion
  • Trophy winner at international improvisation festivals in Auckland, New Zealand, and Orlando, Florida
  • Creator & Creative Director of Channel 7’s This Is Your Laugh!

Teaching style

Although Michael covers some theory in his improv classes, his teaching style reflects his hands-on approach to this very physical art. “I believe students thrive on positive reinforcement and encouragement,” he says. “I tend to coach people to succeed during an exercise, rather than tell people what they could have done better after the fact.”