A Wake - Intensive Long Form weekend
Unleash your creativity with our spontaneous play in two days, this is for improvisers with some experience seeking an intensive, fun, and transformative learning experience. This course delves into the practical and philosophical elements of Long-Form Improvised performance, equipping you with skills and confidence applicable to both your performance work and everyday life.
Key Information:
Please note Studio beyond is not an accessible space for those with mobility issues. All course proceeds after costs will be directly reinvested into the annual Liverpool Improvisation Festival in 2026.
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A Wake at LIF 2024
Photo credit: Andrew Ness
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What You'll Explore
In this course, you'll learn how to perform "A Wake," a spontaneous theatrical production that explores memory—both real and imagined—through the unique lens of a funeral wake. You will undergo training which leads to a public showcase. Through engaging, games-based exercises, you'll master how to effectively use:
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Who is this Course For?
Content Warning Please be aware that this training event explores themes of death and grief. While a Drama therapist (Su Jackson) will be on hand throughout the two days, if you believe these themes may be triggering for you, we advise against booking. Please consider your personal needs carefully. |
"A Wake reminded me of Jim Cartwrights ‘Two’ and Caroline Aherne ‘The Royle Family’ – a slice of life made real amongst the buffet." - The Reviews Hub ★★★★
Meet Your Facilitator: Mark Smith
Led by multi-award-winning director and improv facilitator Mark Smith. With over 30 years of experience and a PhD in the field, Mark brings a wealth of knowledge in improvisation and storytelling. Mark's extensive performance background includes the weekly short-form show "Monkey Lab" (2001-2003) and the nationally and internationally touring long-form improv hit "Hoof!" (2004-2014), developed with legendary Burn Manhattan members Todd Stashwick and John Thies. He's continued to innovate, creating numerous acclaimed long-form improvised shows such as Improvised Rubbish Shakespeare - The Incomplete Works, Talk to the Hand (puppet improv), The Fly, A Wake, the nationally touring The Story Forge: Make your own Myth and recently Taxi Tales for the Liverpool Improvisation Festival (LiF), which he also co-curates and runs. Reviews of Mark's previous Work: "Improvised theatre at its very best" - At The Theatre ★★★★★ "Talk to the Hand is great fun, highly skilled and very funny." - The Reviews Hub ★★★★ "Masterfully combining improvisation, audience participation and comedic storytelling to create a unique theatrical event" - ★★★★★ - The Reviews Hub |
Photo credit: Andrew AB
Previous workshop testimonials:
"The Improv course Mark ran reignited my love of the form. His teaching style is relaxed and intuitive and he allows everyone to learn in their own way. No one is pressured to perform but instead find they want to. All levels of ability were incorporated seamlessly into the class. No-one was made to feel less for not having more or less experience. Mark has a wealth of knowledge and experience to impart yet it never feels like he's trying to outsmart you. He asks and encourages you to bring your own skills and experience to help your scene partners, which for me is one of the fundamentals of Improv. I can't recommend these classes enough." (Trev Fleming - 2021) – Performed at LIF 2023 & 2025. |