Impro Melbourne

Founding as Theatresports Melbourne (1996)

Russell Fletcher and Christine Keogh founded the company in 1996, bringing Keith Johnstone's competitive improvisation formats to Melbourne. Melbourne had a prior tradition of Theatresports in the 1980s when televised celebrity Theatresports shows sold out Hamer Hall, and the new company reconnected the city to that tradition.

Venue History

The company has performed at a range of Melbourne venues over the years, including The Space in Prahran (from 2011) and Abbotsford Convent in Abbotsford, which has become the company's primary base. Other venues have included the David Williamson Theatre, Melbourne Town Hall, and the Courthouse Hotel in North Melbourne.

Formats and Programming

Impro Melbourne produces all three of Keith Johnstone's competitive formats: Theatresports, Micetro, and Gorilla Theatre. The company is the only Victoria-licensed producer of these formats. Performances typically draw audiences across all three formats, and the weekly programme at Abbotsford Convent keeps the company in regular public performance.

Current Leadership

Artistic Director Katherine Weaver and General Manager Rik Brown lead the company.

Impro Melbourne is Victoria's licensed home for Keith Johnstone's three competitive formats, maintaining Melbourne's long tradition of theatrical improvisation since 1996.