IMPROV – Long Form / Narrative

Two men in 1930's constume boxing.

Instructor: Sandi McGinnis

Recommended: All ages 14+ – Adult (as per Instructor)
This is a 2-term course – 28 weeks
TERM 1: September 17 – December 17, 2025
            TERM 2: January 7 – April 22, 2026
Wednesdays 6pm – 8pm
Chaster House, Gibsons
Class Fee Per Term: $380 (includes $40 annual admin fee)

The study of Long Form – Narrative Improv is not Theatre Sports. At its core is the development of sustained storytelling. Long ago, in a far-off land, I belonged to a group that would gather weekly to build and create a story of that evening.  It was a very enriching experience, which I would like to share. To make this improv form work requires a core group of 6 – 8 regulars who are experienced in holding and advancing the story. 

How do we get there??  We start small and honour and practise the essence of improv: ACCEPT ALL OFFERS AND ADVANCE THE ACTION. 

We begin with a few tried and true theatre exercises that explore character: weight, age, voice, levels, animal type, inner stillness, etc. Next, the instructor/director/facilitator offers the group three or more circumstances, ie, event, place, time of day, weather conditions, etc. Then we run with those circumstances to build a group story.  Occasionally, the instructor/director will add a new circumstance to shift and/or expand the story.

Needless to say, early gatherings would focus on the character exercises and short scenes to develop the core group, before moving into longer story.