Dundee Improv Workshops

Dates: 8 sessions on Saturday mornings, from 25th October to 13th December 2025
Time: 10am - 12.15pm

What is Improv?
“What is improv? It’s a way of learning to play, listen and respond in the moment. Our course offers a guided path through the key principles, making the experience supportive, structured and fun for everyone — beginners included.”
What can regular Improv do for you?

• Boosts your confidence
• Improves your communication skills
• Helps you make friends
• Promotes flexibility and thinking on your feet
• Helps you take risks and challenge your fears
• Teaches you to be more mindful and really present
• Helps you find time to play and go with the flow
• Helps you to not take yourself too seriously
• Makes you more spontaneous and creative
• And most importantly - it's a lot of fun!

Myth-busting! You don’t have to be fast, funny or a natural performer to enjoy and be good at Improv. We each bring a brick and - together - we build a cathedral.

“The fun is always on the other side of a Yes.” – Martin De Maat

Who is this for? Everyone! People with experience of Improv and those who've never tried it before: actors, non-actors, performers, comedians, poets, business people, teachers, sales/marketing professionals and absolutely anyone who wants to improve their confidence, relationships and communication skills. There will be fresh and progressive content for those who have attended previous Improv events with us - no two Improv classes are ever the same! (18+)*

Cost: £155.00 (+ Eventbrite fee). Special concessionary rate available for those on a low income for whom cost would be a barrier and Equity members £135 (+ Eventbrite fee)

Tutor: An experienced actor, director and teacher, Elaine Newton graduated from RSAMD in Glasgow (now the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland). She also trained in film acting in Los Angeles and at the Bilingual Acting Workshop in Paris, using American models for naturalistic acting. In addition, she has trained in London, Paris, Rotterdam and Glasgow with renowned practitioners including Mike Alfreds, Scott Williams, Amy Werba, Nadine George, Jo Estill. She trained in Improv with the world-renowned Second City Improv Chicago, Free Association in London and The Improfessionals in Paris. After teaching acting, voice and movement in Paris and Strasbourg, she established The Acting Lab in her hometown of Dundee 10 years ago – a space for innovative actor training. Her international training has given her the knowledge base and breadth of experience to provide students with support and inspiration along with structured, practical acting skills and professional techniques from which great confidence can be gained and transferred to any aspect of life.

Elaine also runs Acting Courses, Speaking with Confidence workshops and voice coaching. She also offers 1:1 Coaching for Acting and for Public Speaking (in-person or via Zoom).

Testimonials for The Acting Lab

"Very highly recommended: For confidence, for communication, for fun, for anything!" (Rupert Williams)

"I always leave a session overflowing with confidence and creative ideas." (Annabelle Miller)

"Fantastic course! Great leadership and direction, lovely mix of students, great topic for aspiring actors, would thoroughly recommend!!" (Christine Ashton)

"Elaine's coaching took away my panic with Improv - exciting not to know where it's going to go - creative and fun." (Keely A)

"Elaine is simply excellent at what she does, putting all participants at ease immediately, building confidence, and inspiring us to create new things, and share experiences... Her classes are always a truly uplifting, multi-sensory experience. What's more, you have made me realise how Improv is not only for actors." (Chris Jannetta)

"I have loved attending Dundee Improv Workshops over the last 2 years. They are so much fun and they have helped improve my confidence and ability to deal with life's spontaneous situations! I've made some great friends along the way. Elaine is a fab teacher. Very professional, well organised, kind and reassuring." (H Smith)
"Improv is the silliest you can be as a sober adult and therefore a huge amount of fun. The class helped me rediscover my playful side - I felt energised for the rest of the day." (Hannah W)

"I soon lost my self-consciousness and embarrassment" (Teresa Stewart)

"Elaine positively radiates good energy, and creates an atmosphere where every single person feels valued." (Gordon J Millar, Edinburgh)

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