Acting for Improvisers

WHAT IS THIS?

This is a day-long workshop to explore acting for improvisers. 

WHO IS THIS FOR?

This is for improvisers who would like to get better at acting, so that they can approach their work with believability and commitment and become more at home on stage. Just as improvisation can help actors, so too can acting help improvisers to level up their scene-work. 

In the morning we'll look at playing truthfully with commitment, and we'll apply some techniques from scripted work to improvised work. We'll explore scenes that don't have to be funny, as well as scenes in which the comedy emerges from the truth of the situation.

In the afternoon we'll look at owning the stage, learning how to make the most of the space and gaining an awareness of good staging. This is a chance to push yourself a little bit and practise being dynamic and brave on stage, in a supportive (and fun!) environment.

Please note: this is not suitable for complete beginners. Let me know if you have any questions. 

WHEN IS IT HAPPENING?

Saturday 20th September 2025 10.00am - 5.00pm 

WHERE DOES IT TAKE PLACE?

Scrum Theatre (rehearsal studios) 191 Talgarth Road, Hammersmith, London, W6 8BJ. 
8 minutes walk from Hammersmith tube station. 

WHO IS SUSAN HARRISON?
I'm an improviser, actor, and character comedian. 

I trained as an actor at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and spent many years performing in theatre, radio, TV and voice over, touring to stages big and small. My theatre credits include; The National Theatre, Soho Theatre, Dundee Rep, The Barbican, National Theatre of Scotland, and the Apollo West End, to name a few. I bring my knowledge of acting and stage-craft into the improv classroom, as I strongly believe that each feeds into the other.

I've been a member of Olivier Award winning Showstopper! The Improvised Musical for the past twelve years, and have also performed on the West End with Austentatious, on tour with Mischief Movie Night and at The Comedy Store with The Comedy Store Players and with Paul Merton and Suki Webster's Improv Show. I love narrative improv and have my own company These Folk: the improvised folk musical, which has performed in Bristol, London, Rome, through the libraries of North London...and even in someone's back garden.
I started out doing what's known as long-form Chicago-style improv (doing formats such as the Harold, Armando etc) and am a huge fan of this style of improv too. Basically I like all of it.  

I currently teach improv for Hoopla, The Bridge, and Showstopper, and have previously taught improv for drama schools including ALRA, LAMDA, Mountview, GSA.

I'm passionate about creating a playful and supportive learning environment.

TESTIMONIALS

"Susan has been one of the best improv tutors I’ve ever had, with her amazing positive energy, each session is a real pleasure!" (Maggie Sand)

“Susan delivers world-class coaching. She brings out the best in people, and helps them realise their full potential.” (David Symington – Character in Improv Course student)

“Susan Harrison has a very tactical approach and gives very specific constructive notes that help each individual to work on their weakest points and therefore improve more quickly. It was a pleasure to be taught by someone so talented and enthusiastic yet highly approachable”. (Lola Rose Maxwell – Character in Improv Course student)

“Sue is a wonderful improv coach! Kind, enjoyable to work with and a fantastic performer to learn from.” (Timothy Perkin)

"I did Sue’s character workshop last year and also some Showstopper sessions and I have found her way of teaching, sharing her knowledge, her fun and her delight in the work that inspires her and her handling of the workshops an absolute delight to be part of the sessions. Book quickly they sell out fast." (Lesley Wilson)

"There were lots of breakthrough moments in her classes. I couldn’t recommend her teaching enough." (Steph Darcey)