Stageless Storytelling | Workshop | Brisbane Improv Festival 2026

Stageless Storytelling

Presented by Mandy Plumb of Blah Blah Blah Improv(Gold Coast/Byron Bay) as part of the Brisbane Improv Festival 2026.

This is the improv workshop that surprises people!

Even improvisers who struggle to focus—or who think they’re “not great at auditory things”—find themselves completely dialled in during The Bat. With sight removed, your brain has nothing to split its attention. So, your listening sharpens, your imagination fires, and you drop into a level of focus that feels almost effortless.

Performed entirely in darkness, The Bat (originally created by Joe Bill) strips improv back to its most powerful elements: voice, story, connection, and trust. No stage pictures. No space work. The result is pure, auditory storytelling built in the moment that unfolds purely through sound and imagination. Sometimes described as the “radio play” style of improv, in our current world of podcasts The Bat is more relevant than ever before.

In this three-hour intensive, you’ll:

• Develop laser-sharp listening and ensemble awareness

• Create vivid worlds using only voice and sound

• Build emotionally grounded, connected long-form scenes

• Sustain narrative without visuals

• Commit to distinct character voices

• Learn techniques for clarity, pacing, and connection for an auditory-only performance

Spots in this workshop don’t just teach you a format—they change how you improvise.

N.B.–Only a portion of the workshop will be in darkness.

Workshop Length: 3 hours

Recommended experience level: Intermediate (1-3 years experience)

Meet Mandy (she/her)

In her late teens, Mandy began her professional stage career in HAIR while studying theatre at university. She has graced stages across Australia, USA, Dubai, India, New Zealand, and New Caledonia, and dabbled in film and TV, trained at iO Theater in Chicago, and produced, directed, and performed hundreds of improv shows. Mandy teaches improv, drama, and physical theatre to ages 5–76 on the Gold Coast and Byron Bay.

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About the Brisbane Improv Festival

This year’s festival will be held on the 14th - 18th of July 2026 - that’s five nights of incredible improvised shows open to the public, and we will host 14 different workshops for improvisers to expand their skills. Previous Festivals had shows from around Australia and New Zealand. Find out more here.