Learn new skills and meet new people with Manchester’s longest running improv and stand-up workshops. ComedySportz runs regular courses in Improv, Stand Up and Sketch Writing so whether you’re looking to learn new performance skills, develop confidence in public speaking or just want to meet new people then our workshops have something for you.

Think you might like to play with ComedySportz someday and join a worldwide network of shows and performers? All of our players are graduates of our workshops – though taking the course is no guarantee of being added to our roster.

All of our workshop facilitators are practising performers with many years of experience working with all ages and abilities. Our facilitators and workshops are accredited by CSz Worldwide.

Don’t hesitate to get in touch with queries about our workshops and courses and drop us an email. Want to receive regular updates on upcoming workshops and courses? Sign up to our mailing list today!

We also run workshops for schools and businesses.

Workshops have a real benefit on those that take them.

With an emphasis on confidence and communication, we believe our workshops and courses have plenty of transferable skills for life onstage… and off! The benefits of our improv workshops were featured in this 2017 Guardian article. We are delighted and proud that our workshops have had such a profound and transformative effect on so many – as well as being lots of fun! You can read the article here.

UPCOMING WORKSHOPS

If you would like to sign up for multiple workshops at the same time please email us as we do not currently have the payment system set up for this arrangement. Likewise, if you are making a booking on behalf of a third party please drop us an email first so that we can sign them up appropriately.

Some workshops prices include a £30 non-refundable deposit. If you would like to discuss alternative payments please don’t hesitate to get in touch and enquire about our workshops via our contact us page.

Please bear with us as we implement and improve our new payment system.

WEEKEND INTENSIVES

Foundation in Improv – 2 DAY INTENSIVE

2 Day Intensive Foundation in Improv

No previous experience necessary. Workshops cover the core skills and tenets of Improvised performance; Yes And, Listening, Character, Story, Objects, Scene Work and Games.

The course has plenty to offer whether you’re looking to learn new performance skills, develop confidence, work on your communication and listening or just want to meet new people in a fun and friendly environment.

All condensed into a two day workshop where by the end of it you will have the skills and techniques to apply to your intended outcome.

2 day intensive. May 4th - 5th. 12.30pm - 5pm each day. Kings Arms, Salford. £75 for the weekend.

Full Price:

£75.00Add to basket

Non Refundable Deposit:

£30.00Add to basket

Stand Up Comedy – 2 DAY INTENSIVE

No previous experience necessary. Whether you’re looking to start your onstage career, develop presentation skills or build confidence in public speaking in a fun and friendly environment you’ll find plenty to enjoy in this course.

You’ll receive feedback on your material as we help you find and hone your unique comedic voice. The weekend will cover everything from material generation to microphone technique and etiquette in a safe and supportive setting. This course ends with a showcase night for family and friends.

2 day intensive. May 4th - 5th. 12.30pm - 5pm each day. Kings Arms, Salford. £75 for the weekend.

Full Price:

£75.00Add to basket

Non Refundable Deposit:

£30.00Add to basket

Sketch Comedy Writing- 2 DAY INTENSIVE

No previous experience necessary.

Ever fancied yourself as the next best thing in comedy writing? This two day course will explore the various techniques needed to craft the finest comedy material for stage, screen and radio. Sessions cover everything from creating memorable characters to finding that killer punchline.

Workshoppers also receive a free ComedySportz notebook and pen to jot down all your fantastic gags and ideas!

May 18th-19th 2019. 12.30-5pm, Kings Arms, Salford. £75 for the weekend.

Full Price:

£75.00Add to basket

Non Refundable Deposit:

£30.00Add to basket

Longform Improv- 2 DAY INTENSIVE

Previous improv/performance experience encouraged but not a prerequisite.

This two day course will look at the techniques of performance associated with creating longer improvisations. We will look at elements of clowning, working with ‘truth’ and narrative as well as introducing you to various longform formats and edits. Ideal for actors and improvisers wanting a new challenge.

1st - 2nd June 2019. 12.30pm- 5pm each day. Kings Arms, Salford, £75 for the weekend.

Full Price:

£75.00Add to basket

Non Refundable Deposit:

£30.00Add to basket

Musical Improv- 2 DAY INTENSIVE

Some basic improv scene knowledge would be useful for this 2 day intensive, but not crucial.

Rachel and Felix will take you through all the basics of improvising a song, including structure, rhythm and melody. You’ll then move on to find out how songs fit into a play to create a musical, and how to improvise lyrics that fit the plot! The workshop is perfect for anyone hoping to expand their skill set or try something new and more importantly being able to sing/musical knowledge is NOT a pre-requisite.

15th-16th June 2019. 12.30pm-5pm each day. £85 for the weekend.

Full Price:

£85.00Add to basket

Non Refundable Deposit:

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Presentation Skills- 1 DAY INTENSIVE

John Cooper will take you though the techniques on how to brush up and focus your presentation skills.

(more info to follow on content)

Sunday 19th May. 12.30-5pm. Kings Arms, Salford. £45 for this workshop.

Full Price:

£45.00Add to basket

Non Refundable Deposit:

£10.00Add to basket

Character Improv- 1 DAY INTENSIVE

This workshop will focus on different methods of coming up with characters, defining features of characters (such as voice, posture and attitude), along with tropes and stock characters.

In the second half of the workshop we will delve deeper into wants and choices, status and learning short-form games that focus specifically on character.

Saturday 18th May. 12.30pm - 5pm. Kings Arms, Salford. £45 for this workshop.

Full Price:

£45.00Add to basket

Non Refundable Deposit:

£10.00Add to basket

Stand Up Comedy, Your Next 5 Minutes- 1 DAY INTENSIVE

Kate McCabe will guide you through creating and working on your next 5 minutes of stand up comedy.

Are you a stand-up in a writing slump? Treat yourself to a jump start.
Developing your next 5 is an all day intensive stand-up writing session inclusive of a showcase
We'll crack open those new threads that you've been MEANING to see to.
Bring your writer's kit and be prepared to workshop your 'bits' to performance precision.

Saturday 1st June. 12.30pm - 5pm. Kings Arms, Salford. £45 for this workshop.

Full Price:

£45.00Add to basket

Non Refundable Deposit:

£10.00Add to basket

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Foundation in Improv.

No previous experience necessary. Workshops cover the core skills and tenets of Improvised performance; Yes And, Listening, Character, Story, Objects, Scene Work and Games. The course has plenty to offer whether you’re looking to learn new performance skills, develop confidence, work on your communication and listening or just want to meet new people in a fun and friendly environment. Each session will focus on a different skill area with a mix of solo and group exercises with a keen emphasis on play.

The course runs Saturdays 1-3pm for 8 weeks. Next dates TBA.

Workshops are held in the main theatre space of the Kings Arms, Salford. The full cost of the course is £100 (£90 concessions). You can pay in full now or pay a non-refundable £30 deposit to secure your space with the rest payable when the course starts. Once payment is made we’ll be in touch with more details about the course.

Beginning Stand Up Comedy

No previous experience necessary. Whether you’re looking to start your onstage career, develop presentation skills or build confidence in public speaking in a fun and friendly environment you’ll find plenty to enjoy in this course. You’ll receive regular feedback on your material as we help you find and hone your unique comedic voice. Workshops cover everything from material generation to microphone technique and etiquette in a safe and supportive setting. This course ends with a showcase night for family and friends.

The course running Saturdays 12.30-2.30pm for 8 weeks is now full. However, due to high demand we will now be running a second course that will run 2.30-4.30pm for 8 weeks. Next dates TBA. Limited spaces are still available.

Workshops are held in the studio theatre space of the Kings Arms, Salford. The full cost of the course is £105 (£95 concessions). You can pay in full now or pay a non-refundable £30 deposit to secure your space with the rest payable when the course starts. Once payment is made we’ll be in touch with more details about the course.

£105.00Add to basket

£30.00Add to basket

Intermediate Improv

ComedySportz 8 Week Foundation in Improv or Equivalent Course a pre-requisite. An expanded curriculum of fun tools to add to your skillset. This course has been designed with a rolling curriculum of workshops so you can take it multiple times without repeating a session. Previous workshops have covered everything from advanced scene and character work to improvised songs and rap. This course ends with a showcase night for family and friends.

Our next curriculum TBA.

The course runs Saturdays 3-5pm for 8 weeks. Next dates TBA.

Workshops are held in the main theatre space of the Kings Arms, Salford. The full cost of the course is £75. You can pay in full now or pay a non-refundable £30 deposit to secure your space with the rest payable when the course starts. Once payment is made we’ll be in touch with more details about the course.

Testimonials and Video

“…gently guiding the class in their techniques, whilst keeping the whole experience a positive one.” Manchester Confidential

“…still one of the scariest things I’ve ever done but the feeling when I came off stage was euphoric up there with some real great times.” Brian MacDiarmada (Contractor)

“Improv is genuinely the MOST fun you can have on a Saturday afternoon….. learning the basics of impro at a relaxed pace, with fun teachers. It’s a treat… games, scenes, stories, characters, and lots and lots of laughing…it’s the antidote to a boring/routine life. Get out of the house and into the class!” Claire Westood (Wellness and Coach Trainer)

“Am much more confident and less self conscious” Mark Baker (Singer)

“Helps you get out of your cosy comfort zone and not care!” Jeni Howarth-Williams (Actress – Coronation St, Emmerdale)

“If you don’t try it you’ll never realise how much fun it is.” Declan Feeney (Infrastructure Architect)

“Comedysportz Workshops saved my life… gave me the confidence to face the world.” Sarah Farrell (Graphic Designer)

“Confidence building, exciting, inventing, and ingenious improv for all ages, letting you take to the stage with ease” Mark Rawle (Doctor)

“I’m addicted to ComedySportz improv workshops! I spend two hours every week laughing, learning and doing fun, silly stuff that makes other people laugh. Their teachers have decades of improv experience between them and always make learning the art of improvised comedy a joyous thing to do. It boosts your confidence no end. I’ve learned stuff about life too, and I’ve met many fabulous people. Best of all, you get to play and act outrageously without even the slightest whiff of alcohol, which makes it both a safe and life enriching addiction!” Jen Banks (Freelance writer/journalist)