Starter 2: Character & Relationship - Term 3 2025 - Tuesday | The Improv Conspiracy Theatre

Now that you've been introduced to improv and have actually performed in front of a live audience, it's time for a new challenge!

Our Starter 2 course focuses on two very important aspects of long form improvisation: character relationship

Character is all about what we can bring to the scene. The most interesting characters might have an affected voice, physicalities, turns of phrase, points of view, emotions, etc. We aim to play deep, rich characters within our scene work. 

Relationship is all about how your character gets on with that of your scene partner. What's the shared history between these two people? Their empathetic connection? The subtext that lies just beneath the surface of the words which are being said?

In addition to the titular focus of the level are the following:

Playing Truthful: Even when we are playing characters that are not ourselves, we need to commit to the truth of that character and the relationship they are in. This requires a willingness to be vulnerable and respond honestly and truthfully through character and relationship filters.

Status: Different relationships have inherent statuses built in. This level explores what that means for how we play. 

Base Reality: Establishing a clear base reality at the beginning of each scene, is an essential foundation to build our comedy on top of. A good base reality requires patience and the ability to hold back on oddities and ‘unusual’ things until a firm platform has been co-discovered with your scene partner via ‘yes, and…’

  • Workshop Session #1
    Tuesday, May 6, 2025
    6:30–9:30pm
Instructor(s)
Venue(s)
Course Fees

$575 Full / $525 Concession

Plus online booking fee of $5

Prices include GST

Course Prerequisites
Please to determine eligibility
Bookings
Hurry – only 2 spots remaining

Important dates, venues & times

Course calendar

Workshop Sessions
Student Showcases
MoTuWeThFrSaSu
MoTuWeThFrSaSu
  • Workshop Session #1
    Tuesday, May 6, 2025
    6:30–9:30pm
  • Workshop Session #2
    Tuesday, May 13, 2025
    6:30–9:30pm
  • Workshop Session #3
    Tuesday, May 20, 2025
    6:30–9:30pm
  • Workshop Session #4
    Tuesday, May 27, 2025
    6:30–9:30pm
  • Workshop Session #5
    Tuesday, June 3, 2025
    6:30–9:30pm
  • Workshop Session #6
    Tuesday, June 10, 2025
    6:30–9:30pm
  • Workshop Session #7
    Tuesday, June 17, 2025
    6:30–9:30pm
  • Student Showcase #1
    Sunday, June 22, 2025 @ 6:15pm
  • Workshop Session #8
    Tuesday, June 24, 2025
    6:30–9:30pm

Meet your teacher

Instructor Profile

Cristina Spizzica

Ever since she actively avoided doing drama at high school, Cristina (a.k.a. Spizz) knew she was meant to be on the stage – and has been found fooling around on The Improv Conspiracy’s stage almost every week since 2017.

A seasoned performer with sell-out shows at Melbourne International Comedy Festival and Melbourne Fringe Festival, you can see her regularly performing as part of the theatre’s flagship shows Harold Night, The Remix, and F#*k This, I Quit!, co-producing the Red Hot Improv Jam, and if you’re lucky, you may catch her dipping her toes into the world of stand-up (because apparently all of the above is just not enough).

When it became clear to her that her two favourite things in the world are having silly fun and sharing things she’s knowledgeable and passionate about, teaching improv was the obvious next step – and she’s has a delightful time coaching indie teams, a house Fresh Blood team, and several levels of the Improv Conspiracy curriculum.

Please ask her about her spreadsheet where she keeps a record of every show she’s ever done (currently 328 and counting!) and about how she co-holds the theatre’s record for the longest winning streak in Cage Match (15 weeks!).

Our community watering hole

Enjoy some good times downstairs at Theory Bar

Fancy a beverage after your next show or class session? Our ground floor bar is open Wednesday–Sunday.

Community members and ticket-holders get 10% off*

(* Sundays and Public Holidays excepted)

Please note: drinks can not be transferred between venues in the building

Theory Bar