Canberra International Improv Festival - part of Improvention

16/06/2026

ImproINvention 2026 Guest Announcement #2
Dr David Charles (USA & NZ)

When David came to Improvention in 2023, he was a last minute addition, so you only got a tiny taste of him, but everyone loved him and asked why they weren’t getting more of The Improv Dr (his online identity). Well, now you’re getting a lot more of him, and I’m super excited to let him run loose with you in an intensive.

David has a vast knowledge of improvisation and theatre in general. As a result, he teaches it and directs it in a full-time tenure at a college in Florida, from where he has also compiled a huge online games library, and written his book.

He might do all sorts of things at ImproINvention, this year, but I know I’d be signing up to see how he plans to inspire our improvisation from the ancient poetic and epic works of Homer, and what he might also do with his extensive musical chops. We’ll see. No! You’ll see! Because you’re going to get that early booking number and make sure you will, right? Here’s the link:

https://impro.com.au/improvention-packages/

09/06/2026

ImproINvention 2026 Guest Announcement #1
Kaisa Kokko-Palmer (Finland)

The incredibly inspirational Kaisa Kokko-Palmer (Finland - photo by Susanna Hyvarinen) is our first announced guest for the exciting new 2026 festival concept! Now we’re announcing guests, registrations are going to really take off, so time to bite the bullet and get an earlybird booking number so you get the best choices of tutors.

The price of packages will go up slightly, very soon, but I’m giving you a little window before that happens. Grab a deposit or package, now: https://impro.com.au/improvention-packages/

When Kaisa first came to Improvention some years ago, it was immediately obvious I’d made one of the best guest selections ever.

She’s got all we want for this event: she’s got broad-based theatre experience and delivers workshops and performances from that real point of strength and diverse possibilities, (you absolutely will learn new stuff and have your mind and heart opened), she cares deeply about her students and respects your diversity, too, she’s full of ideas she’s passionate about and that’s contagious, she’s bringing her partner Sara, who is a great improviser, too (bonus!), she’s fot her own school in Helsinki, but travels the world doing this and knows exactly how to give you the best experience ever, and….well…, she’s from Finland, isn’t she?

I mean, if you were at the last Improvention, you know how we lost our minds and hearts to Finland, so prepare yourself for another impro-crush, and get a package or deposit to make sure you get to choose Kaisa as your tutor and show director: https://impro.com.au/improvention-packages/

Impro INvention Dec 7-13 2026

* Everyone who can make three or more consecutive days, including at least one weekday, does one or two multi-session intensives with the same tutor/s and group of participants, guaranteed to result in participation mainstage show/s!

* More time and options for social events, professional networking and sightseeing, OR just do a further intensive resulting in a show.

* Still an opportunity for additional one-off workshops

* Summer activities finish together on the Sunday :)

03/06/2026

Stay tuned, as we'll begin to announce our special guests for Improvention (Canberra International Improv Festival), within the week!!!

If you only want to watch, you can just get excited as you see the posts, until our December 7-13 performance dates.

If you want to participate in workshops and shows with our international and national guests, you'll need some fundamental training, first, which, if you're in Canberra, you can do in just 8 weeks of one night per week. Enrol now by checking the details on Impro Classes in Canberra.

Or, if you already have some experience, go straight to the earlybird packages for the festival, now, and get ready for December at the cheapest rates with the best choices of tutors, etc. Do that here:

Improvention 2026, "Impro INvention" Dec 7 - 13 Participants Area BE PART OF THE VERY FIRST AND BRAND NEW BETWEEN-YEARS MODEL OF FESTIVAL YOU'RE GOING TO...

09/04/2026

Drumroll please...........,
Announcing Improvention for 2026, Dec 7-13. That's right! No need to wait the extra year. We're simply doing a slightly different format on the off years, and you can be a participant in the very first one in this format.

For the best price and best options, read about it and get in first with a deposit or package or two, here: https://impro.com.au/improvention-packages/

It's Impro INvention, where the main focus is doing intensive workshop series for however many days you can come, with a guaranteed resulting mainstage show to perform in!

* Choose how many days to come and book a package for a half day workshop with the same group and tutor on each of those days.

* Book a second package for the other half of the days, to have two guaranteed mainstage shows, or use the rest of those days on our increased social, professional networking, summer tourism options.

* Lighter inclusive shows you can also be part of, early in the week, then all mainstage shows that result from the intensives on Friday and Saturday night.

* Additional one-off workshops available on the weekend, so you don't get FOMO about working with someone else, or if you can only come on the weekend.

* Sunday summer party activities to finish off in a truly social way.

*** Be amongst the earliest to book or deposit, to ensure the best price and options on tutors, and merch discounts, etc. Read more and reserve your place early, here: https://impro.com.au/improvention-packages/

19/12/2025

It's not over! Can't let go? Do this!

IMPRO Summer CAMP (with special guest, David Callan)
Friday evening January 16 (social only if you can make it) and Sat Jan 17, and Sun Jan 18, 2026, to finish 5:00pm, @ Wagga Wagga.

ON SALE NOW - a Summer Camp weekend just 2-3 hours from Canberra starting Friday evening January 16 and finishing on the Sunday afternoon/early evening.

We’ll be hanging-out with our great friend and guest tutor/director from Improvention, Jhi Rayner, and his crew of Wagga Wagga improvisers AND now we can confirm, workshop and play with one of Australia’s most esteemed improviser’s, David Callan, who you might have seen hosting Improvention’s Canberra Impro Challenge Finale, or perhaps you took one of his two outstanding Improvention workshops.

This Summer Camp, we’ll do two half-day workshops with David, relax on the outstanding river beach, have a BBQ, do a show together, do some local nightlife, but I think I’ll choose a hotel rather than actually camp – that bit’s up to you.

Quote from Nick “David Callan is one of my first mentors and colleagues in improvisation, full-stop. Already a legend for so many reasons, way back then, you might not know that David was an ex-Canberran (a spy even), and was part of a short-lived but long remembered incarnation of a Theatresports community here, last century.

Since then, he became the most prolific winner of every short form impro tournament in the country, including the Theatresports National Championships, and is the most in-demand external coach for this type of improvisation ever, where schools have bidding wars to get him.

Beyond all that, David is a full-package improviser that will do wonders for your characterisation, and almost any fundamental you want to take to the next level.

He also happens to be one of the most decent, encouraging, loyal, and friendly people I know; so deceptively humble within his confident exterior, that he joined us at last year’s Summer Camp as simply a participant. I can’t wait for you all to get know him a little bit better”.

Last year booked so solidly, we needed to get another tutor and double the program, so click below to join us for some January fun!

Book now: https://impro.com.au/one-off-workshops/

04/12/2025

Dec 8 -14 low price international theatre every night Smith's Alternative!

Canberra International Improv Fest has shows featuring improvisers from around the world, all over Australia, and locals, at very low prices, as part of our smaller stage cabaret program. Oooh! Nice!

All events $15 General Public, $10 Participant Package Holders, Free to Premium Package Holders and VIP Guests

We have heaps of participants at the whole festival, so I suggest you book to ensure seating:

* Mon Dec 8, 9:30pm - Heat 1, Canberra Impro Challenge (theatre games)
Tickets: https://www.smithsalternative.com/events/canberra-international-improv-festival-94478?

* Tue Dec 9, 7:30pm - The Great Canberra Pun Competition followed by Instant Band (Puns and sing/play with improvising musicians)
Tickets: https://www.smithsalternative.com/events/canberra-international-improv-festival-94485?

* Wed Dec 10, 10:30pm - Kit Kat Club (Cabaret meets Improv)
Tickets: https://www.smithsalternative.com/events/canberra-international-improv-festival-94493?
OR Life Refabricated (upstairs) - (international duo Slovenia)
Tickets: https://www.smithsalternative.com/events/canberra-international-improv-festival-94500?

* Thu Dec 11, 10:30pm - Word Beggar (Japanese clown)
Tickets: https://www.smithsalternative.com/calendar

* Fri Dec 12, 10:30pm - The Future is Improvised (Futurism)
Tickets: https://www.smithsalternative.com/calendar
OR Pulsion (Solo from Peru, Women's Stories - upstairs)
Tickets: https://www.smithsalternative.com/calendar

* Sat Dec 13, 10:30pm - Flustered at First (various solos improv)
Tickets: https://www.smithsalternative.com/calendar
OR Highlight Reel (upstairs - best bits from the fest so far)
Tickets: https://www.smithsalternative.com/calendar

* Sun Dec 14 .... private party....

Your chance to see world-class improv without paying full theatre prices :)

03/12/2025

Our Friday night (Dec 12) main stage triple bill at Canberra International Improv Festival is for those who want to see a full spectrum of what improvisation could possibly be, in just one night!

Start with Fruit Bat from Sydney's Nick Harriott for ensemble musical theatre in the dark!

Progress to seeing how entire groups can collaborate effectively in The Bunch workshopped by outstanding international guest, Inbal Lori.

And finish up with guy who brought you last festival's blockbuster Fat City, Jason Geary (pictured - yes, that amazing character actor from Thank God You're Here), but this time diving deeper into each individual moment of a story in Dictionary of Moments.

All this at Canberra REP Theatre, and maybe join us for our late night festival club at Smith's after. Book for the triple bill at Canberra REP, here:

Please note that where limited seats are available these seats may not be together. WHEELCHAIR SEATS at any advertised venue cannot be booked online. If you require these seats, please call  or 6247 4222, Wed to Fri 10am - 4pm. Please select your ticket categories carefully. Refunds will not be iss...

01/12/2025

Want to see some true power women (and some men and others) of international theatre absolutely rock-it in a triple bill show of awesomeness? Then Thursday, December 11 is THE night!

As part of Canberra International Improv Festival - part of Improvention main stage sessions at Canberra REP Theatre:

Thu Dec 11,
7:30pm - A Ca****la Musical directed by Lisa Lynn (UK)
8:25pm - Click by Inbal Lori (ISR) & Tim Orr (USA)
9:20pm - 4Play by Mary Shelley's Mothers: Rama Nicholas (AUS), Beatrix Brunschko (AUT), Maja Dekleva Lapajne (SLO), and Nele Kießling (GER).

Start with an inspirational musical wonder straight after workshoppers learned this technique. Follow that up with one of the world's powerhouse improv duo's riffing from projected photographs, and finish-up with four of the globe's most impressive female improvisational actors in a super-fun and super uncensored dive into the topic of s*x and more. Phew!

Book ahead, because the theatre is already half full every night:

Please note that where limited seats are available these seats may not be together. WHEELCHAIR SEATS at any advertised venue cannot be booked online. If you require these seats, please call  or 6247 4222, Wed to Fri 10am - 4pm. Please select your ticket categories carefully. Refunds will not be iss...

01/12/2025

01/12/2025

Just 7 days to go before Canberra International Improv Festival! Want to pre-order your merch for Improvention 2025? Here it is: https://impro.com.au/merchandise/