Heather Urquhart and Ali James discuss the importance of being in your body during improv. They explore movement, presence, and how getting out of your head can unlock creativity and connection on stage. A practical and inspiring episode for performers looking to deepen their physical awareness. This…
Does Improv Help with Pitching? Short answer: YES. This week, I’ve found myself in one of the most surreal situations. I’m currently working on a pitch for AndAlso at the Create South East Showcase while simultaneously running a high-level training program for a company whose staff needs…
Heather chats with Josh Hards about how extroversion and introversion affect improv performance. They explore the strengths and challenges each brings to the stage and share tips for embracing your personality to enhance your creativity and connection. This episode is part of our ongoing improv podcast series…
Psychological Safety in Teams & Improvisation Training On the face of it, improvisation might seem like it’s all about recklessness and risk-taking. Yes, we practice getting comfortable with failure, celebrate mistakes, and embrace uncertainty, but lately, I’ve been reflecting on what safety and improvisation have in common. This…
Bringing Your Whole Self to Work: Lessons from a Portfolio Career In recent years, I’ve noticed a recurring theme in the organizations I work with: the idea of bringing your whole self to work. It’s the notion that all the glorious, weird, and vulnerable aspects of who you are outside…
How to MC an Improv Show: A Guide to Hosting with Confidence It is often said that the tech crew are the most underappreciated people involved in an improv show. Don’t get me wrong, I worship my lights, sound, and musical directors, but I’ve come to the conclusion lately that…
Improv Training for Executive Teams: The Secret to High-Performing Leadership Several years ago, my comedy troupe, The Maydays, were asked to perform in a ‘high-performing teams’ showcase for a large corporate event. The lineup of high-performing teams included us, a shadow gymnastics group, a jazz trio, and Britain’s Got…
Heather and Jules introduce the foundational improv principle Yes And. They explain its importance, how it shapes scenes, and practical ways to start applying it in your improv practice. Perfect for beginners and anyone wanting to refresh their understanding of this…
Improv Acting Techniques: Exploring Motivation in Improv I’ve been working lately with the idea of motivation in improv to get the fire lit in a scene. Motivation in acting is the reason why a character acts or reacts in the way they do. Many times, I will make a strong…
Improv Games for Beginners: Fun and Easy Ways to Get Started If you’ve never done improv, you might be wondering what on earth it’s all about and how you can jump in and get going right away. The good news is that improv is suitable for absolutely anyone,…
The History of Improv The History of improv is hard to pin down. Like folk music, improv is often passed down through generations by oral tradition rather than through written or recorded formats. Games in particular can vary wildly between how they are played and what they are…
How to Do Improv for Free: A Guide to Unleashing Your Inner Improviser Without Breaking the Bank Over the years, I’ve introduced enough people to the world of improv to recognize that unmistakable sparkle in their eyes when they experience the magic for the first time—just like I…
