IF you’ve ever wanted to be more spontaneous, Just Improvise has special summer classes at the Mount Lawley Bowling Club to help adults and teenagers with their improvisational skills.

Headed by national improv champion and WA Academy of Performing Arts improv lecturer Glenn Hall, Just Improvise is Perth's premier improvisation training provider offering programs for professional and personal development.

Hall has recently returned to WA after training and performing with some of the world's best in Germany.

“Just Improvise is passionate about applying improv skills to all stages of life because the skills are definitely transferable,” Hall said.

“I have been teaching improvisation to actors and non-actors for 20 years – when I teach my adult courses for non-actors, I always ask why they’re here and what they want to get out of the course.

“Invariably, most participants will respond with ‘I want to get out of my comfort zone’ or ‘I want to come out of my shell’.

“These answers show an understanding by adults for the need to develop and practice resilient behaviours in order to lead happier and more fulfilling lives.

“You don't have to be the best at everything but improvisation helps people to be the best person they can be and to bounce back when life doesn't go their way.”

JUMP: Intro to Improv Masterclass from 10am to 3pm, January 19, is designed to help adults develop the attitude, approach and mindset required for effective improvisation.

The masterclass gives individuals the chance to experience ideas such as “failing happily”, “being obvious to seem creative” and “trying less to achieve more” – while encouraging fearlessness, collaboration, commitment, positivity and fun.

BOOST Summer Improv Intensive for Teens runs 10am to 4pm, January 20 to 24, and helps empower 15 to 18-year-olds with improv skills and games, culminating in a live improv show, to develop a mindset that will help with all aspects of their lives.

For those who cannot commit to the whole week, participants can choose to do one or more days of the program.

BOOST trainer Chris Bedding said that 10 years of working in high schools taught him that teenagers have enormous capacity for creativity and innovation.

“Very often, this capacity is not recognised by adults who want good marks and conformity above all,” he said.

“Improvisation rewards risk and celebrates creativity – it exposes the possibilities present in each person’s imagination.”

Fellow BOOST trainer Esther Longhgurst added: “The program is so valuable because it’s designed to help young people overcome the hurdles in their mind that get in the way of them trying new things.”

Another program, DEUCE: Improv Duos Course, runs 7pm to 9.30pm February 3, 10, 17 and 24 and helps creative partners develop structures, formats, styles and depth of character while exploring the nature of their partnership through improvisation.

All courses draw on Hall's improv philosophy known as the “Hive of Nine Be's” (http://justimprovise.com.au/hive-of-nine-bes/) – be yourself, be positive, be present, be kind, be bold, be playful, be flexible, be imperfect and be changed.

Former WAAPA acting course coordinator Chris Edmund said Hall had a genuine integrity about his work.

“He communicates this to the students who thrive on working with him in an atmosphere of both invention and trust,” he said.

For more details on the courses and to book, go to www.justimprovise.com.au.

The Mount Lawley Bowling Club is on the corner of Storthes and Rookwood Streets, Mount Lawley.