Impro Training

Three Continents. One Calling

Trained across three continents, with practitioners from Europe, North America and the Global South — including teachers with roots in Africa, Asia and the Middle East, who are redefining what impro can be and who it is for. And informally, in Egypt, where the training never stops.

IO THEATRE CHICAGO - ALLUMNI 2019.

What Happens In Chicago Doesn't Stay In Chicago

The 5-week intensive at iO Theatre Chicago in 2019 left a mark. Mona left with a new skill set, a deeper commitment to ensemble work, and a nickname — the human mirror — that she considers one of the finest professional compliments she has ever received.

The teachers responsible:

Liz Allen — iO legend, three-time Coach of the Year, and the teacher who introduced Mona to the concept of the bony finger: the quiet, clear tap of group mind on your shoulder. Ensemble whispering at the highest level.

Rance Rizzutto — co-founder of The Nest Theatre, global touring improviser, and the teacher who stopped the room with "There is often a sad reason why you are funny." Honour the source. Mona has rarely felt more seen.

Gretchen Eng — iO performer and teacher, who drew the clearest possible line in the room and said: "LINES — some topics are off-limits." Knowing where the lines are in comedy, matters. Knowing when to challenge them matters even more.

Farrell Walsh — Managing/Artistic Director of CIC Theater Chicago, and a teacher whose entire approach was built on rich, character-driven truth. Four words: "find the feeling." Simple. Impactful.

Craig Uhlir — iO performer, actor, and a force of nature. His primary pedagogical tool was "Fuck yeah!" — delivered loudly and with full-body conviction. Commitment as a philosophy and practice rolled into one.

Decolonising what Impro Looks Like & who Gets to Shape it:

Highlights - Not All of Them

  • The Musical Armando (2-day intensive) — Stacey Smith (Amsterdam Comedy Studio), Oslo Impro Festival (2020)

  • Fun Fun Find the F**cking Fun — Andel Sudik, hosted by Impro Neuf (2020)

  • Emotions in Play (2-day intensive) — Amy Cooke-Hodgson & Graham Dickson (Austentacious), Gothenburg Impro Festival (2018)

  • MoJo coached by Annika Ha, (Arnika/ Impro Neuf) (2018 -2019)

  • La Ronde — Jelle Bonnema & Thomas Mook, hosted by Impro Neuf (2018)

  • Keith Johnstone — 9-day Intensive, London (2017). One of the babas of impro. Keith has not weighed in on this title.

  • Impro Masterclass — Rob Norman & Adam Cawley (Second City Toronto) (2017)

  • Impro Masterclass — Elana Fishbein (The Magnet Theatre), hosted by Impro Neuf (2017)

  • Det Andre Teateret, Introduction to Impro — Ingvild Haugstad (2017)

  • Several Impro Workshops — Jay Sukow (2016–2017)

  • Summer Intensive Foundation Course in Impro — Ingunn Andreassen (2016). Rooted in the Viola Spolin tradition.

Informal Training

Egyptian social culture. Attendance: Lifelong. Certificate: Pending.

Mona with Keith Johnstone, one of the babas of impro, London, 2017. Keith's playfulness reminded Mona of her real baba, who had just passed away.

Get in touch

To book shows, workshops, or other inquiries:
Email: info@drdaffodil.com

© 2026 Dr. Daffodil Comedy. All rights reserved.