Improvised Theatre: 5-day Intensive with Chris Mead

A Deep Dive into Theatrical Improv

Inspired by No Exit by Jean-Paul Sartre, this 5-day intensive explores connection, belonging, judgement, and what it means to be truly seen.

Five souls. One room. An eternity suspended between heaven and hell.

Together, we’ll devise Dead End — a brand-new long-form structure: a sustained monoscene stretched across thousands of years. Lost in limbo, our characters cannot leave. Time shifts. Secrets surface. Love, regret, resentment and hope slowly rise to the surface, transforming relationships and determining fate.

This is improvised theatre rooted in patience, emotional truth, and ensemble sensitivity.

Craft-focused and performance-driven, we’ll work on naturalism, intimacy, nuanced scenework, silence, stagecraft, physical ensemble movement, and sustaining tension across long-form group scenes. The aim is to balance improvisational freedom with theatrical discipline — creating work that feels both spontaneous and fully staged.

Designed for intermediate to advanced improvisers and actors ready to deepen their theatrical sensibility, move beyond game-driven improv, and commit to focused, ensemble-led work. You’ll have the chance to premier this format as part of a showcase on the Saturday night on the Bristol Improv Theatre stage.

You should be comfortable with long-form and collaborative scene practice.

Chris Mead

Chris Mead is a renowned improv director, performer and teacher from the UK. He is a senior teacher at Hoopla, London’s largest improv school, where his classes regularly sell out months in advance.

He is also the founder of The Pretend Company which teaches theatrical improv and stage craft to both, improvisers and actors. Internationally, he is one of the European circuits most in demand practitioners – visiting festivals in over 25 countries to teach, coach and perform.

He wants improv to be evermore compassionate, theatrical, playful and fun. He is known for his thoughtful teaching, joyful stage presence and absolute commitment to pushing the art form forward.

Testimonials

“When Chris Mead steps onto the stage he does so with a true spirit of openness. His positive energy, respect, focus, listening and support are gifts to his partners offstage and on."

- Patti Stiles, Author of Improvise Freely
“Chris is an incredibly delightful, intuitive performer and one of the most insightful directors I've ever met. He gives his full heart to his work which is an absolute joy for anyone lucky enough to work with him.”
- Kaci Beeler, Hideout Theatre, Austin, TX

"Chris never fails to bring a positive attitude, effortless expertise and a welcoming presence. Every chance I've had to work with him, it's been a delight from start to finish.”
- Vinny François, Improv College, Founder

“Chris is a brilliant performer and teacher. I am always astounded and delighted by his enthusiasm in shows and with his sensitivity with audiences, he is truly one of the leading lights of improv in the UK.”
- Cariad Lloyd, Austentatious, Sarah & Cariad's Weirdo Bookclub

“Chris is such a generous performer. Every offer he makes is for the good of the story and to make other's offers look better. It's incredibly selfless and beautiful to see. Utterly delightful.”
- Ruth Bratt, Showstopper! The Improvised Musical

“Chris is an incredible teacher - allowing students to explore their emotions, accept and embrace their vulnerability and ultimately grow as improvisers and actors.”
- Ingrid Sierra, Student

"Chris’ teaching style is delightful; the kind of well- informed, supportive and playful approach that pushes you to take gentle risks and discover amazing things!”
- Sarah Davies, Student

“Chris is one of the best teachers you could hope for. He creates such a joyful, safe space and brings out the best in everyone with his passion for improv. If you get a chance to learn from this man, do it!”
- Naomi Bowman, Student

“Chris is one of my favourite improv teachers. To be in a workshop facilitated by him is to enter a space of improv warmth and joy.”
- Kiran Marwaha, Student