Most comedy is written in advance; improvisation builds it live, between people paying close attention to one another.
That difference sits at the heart of the Improv Comedy School in Poznań, which is introducing itself to the city this October with three free classes. The sessions are held in English at Retro Dance Studio on Wielka Street and require no previous experience. They are open to people who arrive with friends as well as those who come hoping to make new ones.
Comedy that belongs to everyone in the room
An improvisation workshop is made up of verbal and physical games. Nothing is scripted, yet very little is left to chance. The sessions are carefully prepared so that participants have the tools to keep an exercise moving forward, even when nobody knows where it is heading.
That is what gives improv its distinctive kind of humour. The laughter rarely comes from one person's cleverness. It grows from people offering ideas, accepting the ideas of others and building on them together, with mistakes treated as part of the game rather than a reason to stop. The comedy is made in the room, by everyone in it.
The classes are led by Daniel Mavrov, a Czech actor born in Prague and known for his appearances in popular local TV shows and web series, commercials and international films. He acts in both English and Czech, trained in the Meisner Technique with Brian Caspe, and has practised improvisation for five years. He is also the founder of Five Kids in a Trench Coat, an improv comedy group that continues to perform regularly in Prague.
Daniel first pursued acting with a simple goal: to bring joy and laughter to people. Over time that goal grew deeper, into a wish to use his craft to help people feel more and understand one another better. It is an ambition that sits naturally with improv.
Play as a common language
This collaborative approach has a history worth knowing. Modern improvisation is built on the work of the celebrated teacher Viola Spolin, who used play to help immigrant children overcome language and cultural barriers.
That history gives the Poznań classes, taught in English, a particular resonance. For expats living in the city, they offer a quick way to find a new circle of friends. For Polish students, they are a chance to strengthen their English while connecting with people from all over the world. Whatever languages participants speak at home, the shared one in the studio is playfulness.
Confidence that travels beyond the stage
Although the format is comic, the skills reach well beyond entertainment. Improvisation helps people open up, speak in public with greater confidence and approach problems more quickly and creatively. These abilities are useful in any profession.
People who struggle with a fear of public speaking can work on it in a supportive environment, and people in management roles can find tools to help others reach common ground. Some students pursue improv for the long term and develop into performers capable of carrying full-length improvised shows. Others simply want to feel more comfortable in jobs that call for leadership or close cooperation with colleagues. Age and background make no difference, and neither does the reason for starting.
Comedy is often pictured as a solo act: a single voice, a prepared line, an audience waiting for the punchline. Improv offers a different picture, one in which humour depends on listening, responding and trusting the people around you. On Wielka Street this October, a room of newcomers will have the chance to discover how much laughter that can create.
VISITOR INFORMATION
Improv Comedy School in Poznań: Free introductory classes
Thursday 15 October: 17:30–19:00
Saturday 17 October: 10:00–11:30
Monday 26 October: 18:00–19:30
Venue: Retro Dance Studio, Wielka 19/7, Poznań
Admission: Free
Language: English
Experience: No experience needed
Booking: Group sizes are limited; book your place here.
