It began with an idea.
To inspire, foster and promote comedy, confidence & self-expression amongst young people.
Naturally follows the question….how?
Our answer is to encourage engagement with Improv, Sketch / Film & Stand Up.
Engagement with these mediums organically fosters these - all while having fun
Feedback
600+ students have given feedback
Over 88% of students said the workshop taught them something new.
Over 94% of students said the workshop was fun
Over 82% of students said they'd like to do another one
Over 97% of students said Instructor was fully prepared
BEFORE the workshop, 60% of students said their knowledge was "poor" or "very poor"
AFTER the workshop, over 92% said their knowledge was "good" or "very good"
What Students Are Saying
“I loved watching the other groups preform. The way the sketches were broken down were amazing and since then I've been trying my hand at writing a few myself. Thank you so much for letting me experience it.”
— Student, Maynooth Community College
“It was very different to anything we would have done before and it was enjoyable and easy to participate. It helped me step out of my comfort zone.”
— Student, Scoil Chriost Rí, Portlaoise
“I liked how we had control over the workshop, getting to make up jokes and tell them in front of the class.”
— Student, Scoil Chriost Rí, Portlaoise
“Learning how sketches are made and working together on creating our own sketch and then performing it! The energy games were also great”
— Student, St. Finians Community College
What Teachers Are Saying
“Colman got the students “up and at it” quickly which wasted no time and grabbed their attention immediately.
It was very activity based with huge variety and emphasis on the students “doing”. I loved that Colman took part in the activities himself which gave the students confidence to have a go themselves.
It was great fun and a very safe environment was established from the onset. It would work very well as any team building/bonding for classes”
— Teacher, St. Declan’s Community College
“Not just a workshop on comedy - it's also an introduction to a whole different style of writing and being creative. Highly recommended.”
— Teacher, Templeogue College
“Yet another Fantastic day with School of Improv, never fails to be an excellent workshop that the students love.”
— Teacher, St. Finians
“Excellent Workshop, my students really enjoyed themselves and discovered talents they didn't realise they had!…School of Improv will definitely be on my TY calendar every year going forward.”
— Teacher, Holy Child Community School
“Would highly recommend, Very Entertaining.”
— Teacher, Scoil Pól
Junior Cycle / Senior Cycle Key Skills
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Junior Cycle - Key Skills
Managing Myself - In each "scene" students will have to take action as to what they are going to say, and do, to contribute to the "scene". Also, sometimes these "scenes" fall down, but the are soft failures that help students reflect.
Staying Well - Every workshop is in it's essence a social activity. Through the workshops the students will build their confidence, creatively and socially. Also, as each student will be playing a "role" in each "scene", it gives them scope to explore different emotions, which can be therapeutic.
Communicating - Improv is communication. Students learn to truly listen to their "scene" partner, not just the words at the surface but the underlying emotional message also. They also learn to express themselves, both verbally and emotionally.
Being Creative - Every "scene" is made up on the spot; the words, the characters and the emotions. The students have to invent, to create, constantly.
Working With Others - Each students learns to appreciate the contribution of his classmates, as a "scene" only works when people work together.
Managing Information and Thinking - Over the course of each workshop, students will learn how to gather more information and use it to their advantage for the next "scene". Students' ability to understand socail interactions after any workshop will be greatly improved.
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Senior Cycle - Key Skills
Information Processing - When in a "scene", students have to sort through varous information being thrown at them, and they must sort through it, and integrate it to keep the "scene" moving.
Critical and Creative Thinking - Every "scene" requires creativity to function, as each student involved is making up everything as they go along. Also, if they can see the pattern or the "game of the scene", then they can use that to their advantage to create hilarity.
Communicating - Improv is communication. Students in every workshop learn to listen to their "scene" partner, not just the words at the surface but the underlying emotional message also. And in return, they learn to express themselves, both verbally and emotionally.
Working With Others - All participants in every "scene' have to work together to make the work. A sign of a good Improviser is someone who makes their teammates look good.
Being Personally Effective - Once the students gain confidence with Improv, they learn to trust themselves, and their contribution to the "scenes".
Child Safeguarding Statement
Child Protection & Welfare Procedures
Children’s Rights
Survival rights: include the child’s right to life and the needs that are most basic to existence, such as nutrition, shelter, an adequate living standard, and access to medical services.
Development rights: include the right to education, play, leisure, cultural activities, access to information, and freedom of thought, conscience and religion.
Protection rights: ensure children are safeguarded against all forms of abuse, neglect and exploitation, including special care for refugee children; safeguards for children in the criminal justice system; protection for children in employment; protection and rehabilitation for children who have suffered exploitation or abuse of any kind.
Participation rights: encompass children's freedom to express opinions, to have a say in matters affecting their own lives, to join associations and to assemble peacefully. As their capacities develop, children should have increasing opportunity to participate in the activities of society, in preparation for adulthood.
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Colman Hayes
IMPROVISER, COMEDIAN & FILMMAKER
As an Improviser, he has trained with Armando Diaz, Will Hines, Stoke Improv, MOB Theatre, Track 96, Pack Theatre, Derek Miller, Susan Harrison, Rick Andrews, Cédric Marschal & Devin Bockrath. He performs with multiple troupes, most recent being ‘Ghost Stories’ at Scene & Heard.
As a Comedian, Colman has performed at venues all over Ireland & at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. He is a Cherry Comedy Breakout Act of the Year Quarter Finalist.
As a Filmmaker, Colman has written/directed over fifty sketches and his debut short ‘Where Have You Been’ had its premiere at the Galway Film Fleadh, before being selected for numerous other film festivals around the world.
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Allie O'Rourke