2024: My Improvised Year In Review

Here we are again. Another year, and another year of taking stock of how it’s impossible to do it all, and nor should you try to. “Be average”, wise words from the late Keith Johnstone. Here’s my roundup of my year in improv that was, highlights and lowlights. And as always, these posts serve as a time capsule that I can look back on when I’m too old and blind to improvise anymore.

Highlights

• New Teachers

The year started off with the announcement that Debbie Cheevers and Denny MacDermott (of Underthings fame) had joined the teaching team. Debbie and Denny started their improv journey in my classes many moons ago and worked hard at not only developing their craft, but also forging their own creative force on the improv scene. Both Denny and Debbie are very humble and grounded humans, let alone improvisers, and offer improv participants a very grounded, accessible experience in a workshop.

Being in a position to grow the teaching team is great, and also takes pressure off me to have to do everything. Which is impossible, and often a thorn poked in us by our inner critic.

“Cad é An Scéal” at Improv Playground’s “Swings & Roundabouts” Photo: Dean Ben Ayre

• The Improv Playground is a cuddly beast!

First off, there’s no question, Quinton O’Reilly is one of the hardest working improvisers in the world! His passion for the Playground and dedication to continue to nurture it has been second to none. Playground has continued to grow in a very positive way. There has been a few times this year when participants who are leaving Ireland have floored Quinton and I with their goodbyes, talking about their love for what Monday nights had become from them because of Playground. This is very rewarding to hear, and a reminder to us all of the efforts that must be made to create safe, diverse and inclusive spaces for people to engage with improv.

Our December Yuleabaloo improv variety night featured our largest selection of groups performing, and our largest audience yet. We also featured our first fully curated show, something we will be developing further in 2025. Along with some other exciting things myself and Quinton are excited about.

• “We’ll always have Paris”

One of the things that the pandemic nipped in the bud for me was international travel for improv, something that I haven’t been able to re-invest in, much to my disappointment. However, in May this year I took a trip to Paris, my first Parisian improv adventure, to teach for Paris Impro and perform Neil+1 to a French audience. It was so great to big back on the international scene, and working which such a great group of people. I’ve always believed that getting to immerse yourself in improv scenes outside of your home country is essential for growth. For teachers, it’s also a great way to test the relevance and impact of your teaching and workshops as well as learn from how others approach and view the art. Very grateful for the company kept for the weekend, which made it even more special. And to Julien Bertrand for putting it all together.

• The Return of TJ & Dave

The boys are back in town! In 2023, I have the privilege of hosting TJ & Dave for their first Irish show and finally made an improv life goal a reality. It was great to see them coming back in 2024 for an even longer trip. They performed 4 shows in Ireland, 2 in Dublin and a show in both Galway and Belfast. Their trip was a great success and congrats to Jessica and Paul for doing a great job  hosting them in Galway and Belfast respectively. I was lucky to be able to talk them into holding a workshop in Dublin before their shows. Their workshop attracted a crowd – TJ & Dave are open to allowing spectators at their workshops, which provided a unique workshop opportunity for all.

The lucky ones who get invited on stage during TJ & Dave’s Dublin workshop.

The workshop was great fun and a reminder to improvisers who prefer relationship based performances to keep working on that and not be distracted by the shiny things. A workshop filled with anecdotes and quotes, I had to eventually tell them to stop teaching as the venue was about to kick us out! Big thanks to them both for taking the time. Another milestone for the Irish improv scene!

• Improv Retreats in Spain

This year marked our second year bringing Improv Utopia International to Alicante in Spain for our 3rd and 4th retreat there. So much had been learned from year 1 that we hit the ground running this year. From an operational point of view it was a dream! Thanks to the efforts of Jacque Arend our MD, Mags in the kitchen and Monica Gaga and Ferran Luengo running joyful workshops. We had two lovely groups of participants and as always Improv Utopia is w wonderful way to fill our creative hearts. Improv Utopia remains a cornerstone in my improv heart, and an important part of what creating an safe, inclusive improv scene is all about.

• Biggest Festival Yet!

This year was definitely our largest festival yet, in terms of scale and budget. Big shout out to the team who, as always, make things run easier; Quinton, Niamh, Chris, with special shout out to Christina who worked wonders this year in keeping things moving. We are grateful to the team of volunteers who gave up their time to help make it a welcoming experience for all. This year was the 10th festival and marked a soft joining up with Belfast to create somewhat of an all-Ireland festival. More on that in future years to follow! It was particularly rewarding to see nearly all groups embrace the spirit of the festival, watch other act’s shows and hang out with other performers and team members.

“The Experiments” at Improv Fest Ireland. Photo: Dean Ben Ayre

• Improv Courses and Corporate Improv continues to expand

I can’t talk about improv classes and not mention Piotr. Ireland is a small country and despite public transport challenges outside of Dublin, it’s not uncommon for non Dubliners to commute to my classes from surrounding counties or beyond. But then there’s Piotr, who took a flight to his Level 1 course with me every week!

A native Pole living in Poland, Piotr was on the lookout for improv courses in English. He had researched options across Europe and told me that a video he had seen of me online helped him make his choice. So every week for 6 weeks, Piotr flew to Dublin for a night every week just to take my course! Talk about feeling the pressure to make sure the course was worth it for him!

In the corporate improv world, my work in the public service expanded this year with my Communications training which is underpinned by improv. It’s great validation for the work we do when we see more and more clients embracing the tools and training. My year ended with custom training for a large Irish company where we utilised improv exercises and tools to create a very targeting Communication training programme with specific outcomes. High stakes, high reward, but a lovely reminder of the power of improv in professional settings when utilised correctly.

Lowlights

No one’s year is ever all sunshine and rainbows despite what social media might tell us. Some lowlights to counter balance the illusion of constant sunny skies.

• Missing performing goals

I had myself certain performance goals for the year, both nationally and internationally but life and work got in the way. That has pushed me to be more focussed on achieving those goals in 2025 with some international festivals and gigs already in the diary. One of the downsides of being an event organiser too, is that you rarely get asked to join other shows, because you are obviously doing your own thing. This can give a sense of exclusion or make you question if you have any relevance at all. But it’s a common theme for organisers across the globe. Very much echos the founder of Hoopla in London’s improv journey too. Sometimes it’s nice to be part of something where you just play and don’t have to be worrying about the other stuff!

• Eye on the Prize

My retina journey continued this year as I clocked another few procedures and my belt, including cataract surgery. Youngest patient on the block? Perhaps. Adapted to vision loss in one eye is bad enough without having to worry about medical concerns and any potential future vision loss in my remaining good eye. (Which my doctor often reminds me that my good eye is actually my bad eye now!). But we have to “yes, and” what life throws at us right….? Sitting in waiting areas for hours on end on your own isn’t the most fun thing in the world. Overthinking is the devil’s best friend.

• Life, The Universe, and Everything

The second half of the year brought changes and challenges in life that just had to be handled while juggling everything else. There are things I got right and things I got wrong. This Christmas, get off the rollercoaster and spend time with the people who matter, listen and show love, because you never know what tomorrow might hold.

So that’s a wrap. Thanks to all who have shared improv, work or pints with me this year. Whatever you celebrate this time of year, have a wonderful Christmas or holiday, and don’t do dry January.