Calling All Local and Regional Improvisers: Let’s Tell a Story Together
12 places available
Images by Andrew AB
Kickstarting our 5th anniversary celebrations, LIF are thrilled to launch our newest project LIFT.
This isn't just another workshop series, it’s a six-month creative journey. We're building a dedicated ensemble to train, collaborate, and co-create Carriage, a brand-new, narrative-driven improv show set to debut at LIF 2027. Want to be a part of it?
We are committed to casting a diverse ensemble and are seeking a balance of gender, age, and experience, from emerging to established performers.
Project Details
What We Are Looking For
The focus of this project is grounded, narrative improvisation. While the training will naturally benefit other areas of your craft, we are specifically looking for improvisers who are:
Ensemble Benefits
As a member of the Carriage ensemble, you will receive:
Key Dates & Application Process
You will be training under the direction of Mark Smith, a creator renowned for his ambitious, large-scale ensemble projects.
Mark specialises in developing powerful, cohesive theatrical narratives. With a portfolio that includes the acclaimed The Fly, Awake, Taxi Tales, and the recent hit Ancestors. You can learn more about him here.
This isn't just another workshop series, it’s a six-month creative journey. We're building a dedicated ensemble to train, collaborate, and co-create Carriage, a brand-new, narrative-driven improv show set to debut at LIF 2027. Want to be a part of it?
We are committed to casting a diverse ensemble and are seeking a balance of gender, age, and experience, from emerging to established performers.
Project Details
- Duration: 6 months (24 weeks), split into two terms:
- Term 1: September – November 2026
- Term 2: January – March 2027 (with a December break for the festive season)
- When: Mondays, 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
- Where: Liverpool Arts Bar
- Ensemble Size: Strictly limited to 12 players
- Cost: £336 total (equates to £14 per 2-hour session)
- If your application is successful a £100 non-refundable deposit is due by August 1st, 2026.
- Payment can be made in full or split into two installments.
What We Are Looking For
The focus of this project is grounded, narrative improvisation. While the training will naturally benefit other areas of your craft, we are specifically looking for improvisers who are:
- Excellent Team Players: Our top priority. We want to build a supportive, cohesive group.
- Committed: You must be available for the full training, rehearsal, and show schedule.
- Open-minded: Willing to take risks, play, and embrace new creative ideas.
- Experienced: You should have some prior experience with improv (though you don't necessarily need to have performed on stage before).
- Fun-focused: We take the work seriously, but we believe a joyful, fun environment is essential to the process.
Ensemble Benefits
As a member of the Carriage ensemble, you will receive:
- 6 months of training leading to the creation and performance of a new 40-minute show.
- Professional credits on both the LiF and Unity Theatre websites.
- High-quality show assets, including a full recording of the performance and all promotional images.
- Professional headshots taken by acclaimed photographer Andrew AB.
Key Dates & Application Process
- Eligibility: Applicants must be 18+ at the start of the rehearsal period.
- Applications Open: 1st June 2026
- Applications Close: June 20, 2026
- How to Apply: An online application form (Written) in addition (a photo submission will be required).
- Notification: All applicants will be notified of selection results by mid July (within three weeks of the deadline).
You will be training under the direction of Mark Smith, a creator renowned for his ambitious, large-scale ensemble projects.
Mark specialises in developing powerful, cohesive theatrical narratives. With a portfolio that includes the acclaimed The Fly, Awake, Taxi Tales, and the recent hit Ancestors. You can learn more about him here.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is there an application process?
Because we are building a dedicated ensemble, we want to ensure we curate the right mix of players who complement each other's styles and energy.
Do I need a lot of experience?
You need to have some baseline experience with improv, but you do not need to be a seasoned stage performer.
Is split payment available?
Yes, split payment is available. You can opt to break the fees down into two separate parts to help spread the cost. Instalment schedule – Deposit 1st August (£100) 1st of September (£118) / 1st December (£118).
Why is there a break between November and January?
The project takes a hiatus in December so team members can fully enjoy the lead-up to the Christmas and holiday season without rehearsal commitments.
What happens if the project doesn't hit minimum numbers?
We require a minimum of 8 participants to run the ensemble. In the unlikely event that we do not reach this number, the project will be cancelled and all monies paid will be returned in full.
Is split payment available?
Yes, split payment is available. You can opt to break the fees down into two separate parts to help spread the cost. Instalment schedule – non-refundable deposit 1st August (£100) 1st of September (£118) / 1st December (£118).
Data Protection Notice
All application submissions will be retained securely for one month after the closing deadline to finalise casting, after which they will be permanently and securely disposed of in accordance with data protection best practices.
Why is there an application process?
Because we are building a dedicated ensemble, we want to ensure we curate the right mix of players who complement each other's styles and energy.
Do I need a lot of experience?
You need to have some baseline experience with improv, but you do not need to be a seasoned stage performer.
Is split payment available?
Yes, split payment is available. You can opt to break the fees down into two separate parts to help spread the cost. Instalment schedule – Deposit 1st August (£100) 1st of September (£118) / 1st December (£118).
Why is there a break between November and January?
The project takes a hiatus in December so team members can fully enjoy the lead-up to the Christmas and holiday season without rehearsal commitments.
What happens if the project doesn't hit minimum numbers?
We require a minimum of 8 participants to run the ensemble. In the unlikely event that we do not reach this number, the project will be cancelled and all monies paid will be returned in full.
Is split payment available?
Yes, split payment is available. You can opt to break the fees down into two separate parts to help spread the cost. Instalment schedule – non-refundable deposit 1st August (£100) 1st of September (£118) / 1st December (£118).
Data Protection Notice
All application submissions will be retained securely for one month after the closing deadline to finalise casting, after which they will be permanently and securely disposed of in accordance with data protection best practices.
What the press have said:
The work reminded me of Jim Cartwrights ‘Two’ and Caroline Aherne ‘The Royle Family’ – a slice of life made real amongst the buffet.
★★★★ - The Reviews Hub
Talk to the Hand is great fun, highly skilled and very funny.
★★★★ - The Reviews Hub
Improvised theatre at its very best
★★★★★ - At the Theatre
★★★★ - The Reviews Hub
Talk to the Hand is great fun, highly skilled and very funny.
★★★★ - The Reviews Hub
Improvised theatre at its very best
★★★★★ - At the Theatre
Participant testimonials:
"Mark was an outstanding improv teacher who took the time to guide us through the experience. He introduced exercises that were engaging but also brilliantly designed to sharpen our listening, collaboration, and performance skills. Each activity built naturally on the last, creating a clear progression that prepared us for the final performance without ever feeling pressured. Mark’s supportive and expert teaching style helped us grow in confidence and gel as a group. By the end, we weren’t just performing—we were truly connecting and listening. It was a fantastic experience from start to finish." (Lucy Fiori - 2025)
"From the first moment it was clear that we were in safe hands. Mark is able to bring the precision, artistry, and emotion of theatre into the show, while preserving the community, joy, and spontaneity of improvisation. He is a designer as well as a director, supporting us with brilliant choices of sound, lighting, and staging that made it feel as though the show could not fail. I appreciated how Mark created Taxi Tales with an eye towards scope— the format is perfect for festivals bridging the gap between improvisers of different schools and cultures with a simple structure that highlights great scene work! Mark curated a space that encouraged collaboration and any anxiety I initially felt about playing with strangers melted away with his reassuring calmness and expertise. The final shows were a joy to watch, and you could feel the energy in the packed house enjoying great improvisation. Even though we had less time to prepare than the professional improv groups, Taxi Tales ended up being my favourite show of the whole festival! Mark is a genius. Great impro, great experience, great director! (Hal Munger - 2025)
"The Improv course Mark ran reignited my love of the form. His teaching style is relaxed and intuitive and he allows everyone to learn in their own way. No one is pressured to perform but instead find they want to. All levels of ability were incorporated seamlessly into the class. No-one was made to feel less for not having more or less experience. Mark has a wealth of knowledge and experience to impart yet it never feels like he's trying to outsmart you. He asks and encourages you to bring your own skills and experience to help your scene partners, which for me is one of the fundamentals of Improv. I can't recommend these classes enough." (Trev Fleming - 2021)
"During Mark’s improvisation course I have expanded my theatrical skills in: Mime, Monologuing, and developing improvisations through character. I have developed the ability to edit and support fellow improvisors on stage. I have loved building a strong connection with fellow artists through eye contact and developing different types of offers (physical, verbal and emotional). Mark uses games, exercises and music to create an extremely fun environment that allows the group to flourish and generate fascinating and dynamic stories from seemingly nothing. The group developed from short form memory-based mime tasks to forty-five-minute junk sets that are completely unique. I cannot recommend Mark’s sessions enough, he creates a really lovely environment and you are made to feel welcomed and relaxed from the first day." (Ryan K Byrne - 2021)