Workshop Factors

We have developed a system to help you decide which workshop is the right one for you: The Workshop Factors. They will give you an idea of the character of the workshop, if it is more active, reflective, emotional, etc. That way you can base your decision not only on the workshop topic but on the qualities of the workshop itself. Below you find a list of all the Workshop Factors and their descriptions.

Active

Mainly doing, less observation

Example: class doing exercises simultaneously, or practicing format that includes all participants

Reflective

Lots of observation of others

Example: workshop focuses on 2-person scenes coached by workshop leader

Physical

Lots of movement, may be tiring

Example: lots of running or dancing exercises

Example: stage fighting

Emotional

Emphasis on accessing emotions

Example: clown work focusing on vulnerability

High tempo

Participants get more from the workshop when they take initiative, e. g. editing/initiating scenes

Example: a fluid longform where participants mostly have to create chances to get on stage, rather than being brought on by the workshop leader

Theoretical

Higher proportion of listening to workshop leader

Example: workshop illustrated by references to psychological theories, examples from improv history, or specific models that need to be understood

Sensitive content

Participants will be exploring sensitive content

Example: participants will explore ideas around sex, prejudice or death in a serious way

Personal sharing

Participants are expected to share personal information

Example: content involves honest monologues, or drawing themes from real life

Physical contact

More physical contact than is typical

Example: Intimacy workshop that may involve e. g. stage kisses

Critical

Workshop will involve high levels of correction or criticism

Example: some styles of clown teaching

Going outside

Workshop will involve doing things outside of standard space

Example: site specific theatre

Atypical

This isn't really an improvisation workshop!

Example: stage-fighting skills

Higher demand for English language

Workshop participation will be more difficult when English language skills are weaker

Example: working with a style (Shakespeare) or a fast-pace, associative workshop

Fit for mixed/heterogenous groups

Workshop participants can have very different levels of experience in improvisation

Example: clown workshop or stage fighting

Some grounding in 'x' useful

Participation is going to be easier with a particular background

Example: Understanding of the Harold format is handy

Some grounding in 'x' needed

Participation requires a particular background

Example: participants should have already played Harolds in the past

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