About us
Improvisation For Everyone
Creativity is within everyone... it's true! Many people believe that they are not 'the creative type', but everyone can be. Improvisation involves creating something out of nothing. Dave Bourn formed SPROUT IDEAS in 1998 and we’ve been refining creating something from nothing ever since.
We teach the skills of improvised theatre not just to actors and actresses, but to the business community, and to the wider general public. People from all walks of life have learnt how to be more creative, be more spontaneous, communicate more effectively and to just have fun.
No one has a script for their lives so everybody improvises - only some of us do it on stage too. With over ten years of experience performing improvised musicals, improvised plays and “Whose Line Is It Anyway” type games shows, we are experts in using the principles of impro on stage – and the possibilities it creates in everyday life too.
Improvisation is all about “doing” and “involvement”. Even if you are just part of an audience you are likely to be involved at some point. Impro workshops with SPROUT IDEAS are completely practical, with the learning taking place through taking part in activities that are captivating interesting and fun.
Our Team
All our facilitators are well rounded professionals with experience beyond the performing arts. In fact most started elsewhere, before becoming drawn into the world of impro – only one member of our staff started out by getting a drama degree first. With diverse education and work related bases, we hope to be able to make a connection with everyone.
Founder Dave Bourn
Dave is currently the resident improvisation tutor at Thames Valley University and the Court Theatre Drama School. He started improvising to help reduce his anxiety, and began performing with London Theatresports and Sacred Scriptless in the 90s. He has directed shows by Stephen K Amos, Carey Marx, Felix Dexter and Phil Nichol. The last of which was also nominated for the Perrier award. He has written for many comedians and sketch shows and also co-manages The Funny Side comedy club with Zoe Abbott. Before he began ad libbing professionally he gained a BSc. in Computer Science.
The SPROUT IDEAS team includes...
Zoe Abbott
Zoe
has a BA(Hons) in International Marketing Management. Before turning to the improvised comedy world she was marketing manager for an International Telecommunications firm and set up her own web design business. As well as improvisation, she has been involved in nearly every aspect of modern comedy, from writing and script editing, to producing and directing. She also co-manages The Funny Side comedy club with Dave Bourn.
Cameron Blair
Cameron has a Masters in Engineering Management and a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics and Philosophy. He worked in corporate finance as an analyst and manager before moving into coaching in applied business psychology. Cameron is also a mainstay of the comedy circuit both with his comedy character, Michael Jerrarde, and as a compere.
Jonathan Cohen
Jonathan has a BA (Hons) degree in Contemporary History. He now works as teacher and is the head of department at his secondary school. With 15 years of performance experience behind him Jonathan now enjoys combining his two vocations - teaching and performing.
Grant Westbrook
Grant’s first taste of improvisation was whilst on leadership training with the Army 20 years ago. He's been performing as an improviser and MC for 15 years and is also a regular tutor at drama schools. Outside of improv he has had a varied business career including roles in people strategy, business development and marketing.
Nicola Wilkinson
Nicky has a BA (Hons) Degree in Theatre and Contemporary Dance and an M.A. in Performance. She has worked as a lecturer at the University of Lincoln teaching Acting Theory and Voice Technique. She also has experience as a case manager assistant for a rehabilitation and care service. She is the newest member of the SPROUT IDEAS teaching team.
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