Show Up & Play
- 6 sessions of 2 hours
- 8-16 people
- Brighton
Neuro-inclusive Improv in Brighton
A six-week improv course created specifically for neurodivergent adults. Come as you are, play at your own pace, and enjoy making things up together.
Led by Ali Hannon, Show Up & Play is a space for people who want to improvise, explore, connect, and have a laugh, without the pressure of working towards a performance.
No showcase, no fixed curriculum, and no expectation to be anything other than yourself.
A neuroinclusive space, built with you in mind
All AndAlso improv courses are inclusive and welcoming to everyone. We believe improv is better when different people, perspectives, and experiences are part of it.
Show Up & Play is a little different
This is a neuroinclusive space created specifically for neurodivergent people. Rather than taking a standard improv class and adding accommodations, we’ve designed the pace, structure, and approach around neurodivergent players from the outset.
That means room for different communication styles, different energy levels, and different ways of participating.
We follow the group’s pace, build in breaks where needed, and make space for everyone to enjoy improv in a way that works for them.
You can read more about our wider approach on our Accessibility, Equality and Inclusion page.
Come and play. That’s the point.
Each week, we’ll explore improv through scenes, games and playful exercises, following the interests, tastes and skills of the group.
There’s no set curriculum to work through and no pressure to perform in front of the class. Just space to explore, experiment and enjoy improv together, in whatever way works for you.
You can try things out, make connections, discover new ways of playing, and have a good laugh along the way.
Gentle guidance is there when you want it, but the emphasis is on play, connection, and enjoying improv together.
Improv at your own pace
Show Up & Play runs in six-week blocks, with slightly shorter sessions than our regular courses.
Sessions run from 7.30–9.30pm.
We build in extra breaks where needed and adapt to the energy and needs of the group.
This can be particularly helpful for people living with chronic fatigue, fluctuating energy levels, social anxiety, or anyone who benefits from a more flexible approach to learning and participation.
There’s space to pause, take a break, or sit out an exercise when you need to.
The class works with the people in it, not the other way around.
Upcoming Show Up & Play events
A space that works for you
We’ve thought about the environment as well as the activities. Show Up & Play will take place in a venue with a little more room to spread out, softer lighting, and the ability to adjust the temperature where needed.
We know that things like lighting, sound, space and temperature can make a real difference to how comfortable people feel, so we’ve considered these from the start, creating a welcoming space where you can settle in, relax and enjoy playing together.
No showcase. Unless you fancy one.
There’s no end-of-course performance. If you’d like to try performing, you’re welcome to join in games at AndAlso’s end-of-term showcase. Completely optional, no pressure.
Who is Show Up & Play for?
Show Up & Play is for neurodivergent adults who want a relaxed, playful space to try improv or keep improvising. You don’t need any experience or a formal diagnosis to join.
It might suit you if you:
- Love improv but don’t want to work towards a performance
- Find longer or more intensive courses hard to manage
- Benefit from extra breaks, a gentler pace, or have fluctuating energy
- Want to connect with people through creativity and play.
Come back for another block, explore our Brighton improv courses, or just enjoy the six weeks. There’s no expectation to move up a level.
Access and support
Tell us what would help when you book, fill in our Support and Access Form, or email hello@andalsoimprov.com. You don’t need to share a diagnosis or medical history, and anything you tell us is kept confidential.
Meet your facilitator: Ali Hannon (they/them)
Ali is an improviser, facilitator and Diversity & Inclusion consultant who creates neuroaffirmative spaces where people can play, connect and feel seen. They’ve performed at festivals across the UK and are a founding member of queer improv collective More to Honk With.
Read Ali’s blog post – Show Up & Play: Improv built around neurodivergent people
Frequently asked questions
Show Up & Play is open to all, from complete newbies to experienced players. This space is for ND’s who want a relaxed space to play with like-minded creative folks.
No. Performing in front of the class is optional, and there’s no organised end-of-course showcase.
Yes. Additional breaks can be built into sessions, and you can pause or sit out an exercise when needed.
Show Up & Play is designed with neurodivergent people in mind, but it’s also a welcoming space for those with chronic fatigue, fluctuating energy levels, or other needs that make a more flexible, relaxed approach to improv appealing. All our other courses are inclusive too, but Show Up & Play offers a dedicated neuroinclusive environment.
You don’t need a formal diagnosis or to prove anything to join us.
Absolutely. You can explore our wider programme, return for another Show Up & Play block, or simply enjoy the six weeks without any expectation to progress.
Ready to Show Up & Play?
Six weeks of improv, connection and laughter, done your way.
Want to get in touch?
Get in touch to talk about whether it’s right for you, or about any access needs at hello@andalsoimprov.com
Is it right for you?
Book this course if:
You want to try improv at your own pace
You want to play without pressure to perform
You want a space where you can come as you are
“Honestly utterly superb”
– AndAlso Student