About us 

Improv is unscripted performance where the participants usually take something as a suggestion (a location, relationship or word) and then perform a scene or play a game. It's often funny, but doesn't have to be.

Founded in 2016, Dogface Improv has grown into a vibrant community of improvisers in Norwich, UK. We run improv and comedy courses, workshops, improv jams and shows. 

Since our humble beginnings, we now have 6 house improv teams, have played hundreds of shows, have had teams perform multiple times at the Edinburgh fringe and run more than 50 improv courses. We also welcome teachers from around the UK and the world to come and share their knowledge and experience with out community. Anyone aged 16 and over can get involved in our sessions*

Improv changed my life!

I can remember watching "Whose line is it anyway?" as a whipper-snapper and thinking "I really want to do that". Spin forward 15 years and I finally got my chance. After plucking up the courage to take a beginners improv course in Brighton (and it did take a while to have the nerve to go!), I never looked back. When I returned to my hometown of Norwich, I was keen to keep doing improv, which led me to start Dogface.

In addition to having a lot of fun playing silly games and meeting lovely new people, I have personally found improv to have had a positive impact on my life across the board. It's certainly made me more confident - to speak in front of groups of people for instance, but also in everyday social life too. It's certainly helped me to relax and take myself a little less seriously.

It's definitely made me realise the power of collaborating and working as a team. If you are like I was and think you'd enjoy it, but are nervous about doing it - my advice is to take the plunge. It's often the good stuff that makes us feel nervous, and I guarantee that once you start, the nerves will diminish as you start to enjoy the experience of being spontaneous, creative and funny. "

- Dogface Improv founder Chris Read on how and why he started doing improv

For everyone

We welcome all sorts of diversity - there are no barriers to taking part in this art-form, and we believe everyone can get something out of improv. We have members from ages 16-80, with differing physical needs (everything we do is wheelchair accessible), different backgrounds and neurodiversity. We try to make our spaces as welcoming and inclusive as possible - if you know of a way we can do even better, then please do get in touch!

For wellbeing

As adults we forget that we're allowed to play, and in fact that play is a wonderful and enriching thing to do. Improv isn't just for those who want to perform on stage. Many people attend our classes and workshops to have fun and meet new people.

There's no pressure - improv is the art-form that you can't do wrong, so you're free to just express yourself, connect with others and marvel at the brilliant and funny things that you create together.

If you're looking for somewhere to start, then our drop-in classes are a good place. We run an in-person Sunday morning session in Norwich and a Thursday evening online session over zoom. Both of these sessions are run by experienced and supportive improv coaches and are a lot of fun - you don't need any previous experience at all to attend these. Check out the classes page on our website for more information.

We have also run many wellbeing sessions for various groups including mental health and anxiety support groups, groups supporting disabled people with physical impairments and groups whose members have differing neurodiversity.

Classes, workshops and shows

Our aim is to create safe and supportive spaces for anyone to express themselves and have fun! We also run a fund to provide subsidised or free tickets to those who can't afford to enroll, so please contact us if you or anyone you know might benefit. *16-18year olds can participate on our courses with written permission from a parent or guardian, whilst those aged 14+ can attend our shows with adults over the age of 18.

Follow us here on icanbea... for the latest news and opportunities to get involved in your local Improv scene!