Elevate your improv skills in one immersive, focused weekend. Unlock a style of comedy that feels effortless.

Date: Feb 6–8, 2026 | Location: Glasgow (Govan & Merchant City)

We are thrilled to announce our first IN-PERSON residency of 2026. We are flying in Chris Mead (Senior Teacher at Hoopla, The Pretend Company) for a full weekend of Elite Coaching.

What to Expect:

10 Hours of coaching: Direct instruction from one of the UK’s most sought-after improvisers.

A “residency” format: Work with the same ensemble all weekend to build deep trust and group mind.

Final Showcase: The weekend culminates in a live show at blackfriars on sunday.

About your instructor: Chris Mead is a renowned improv director and one of the european circuit’s most in-demand practitioners. His classes at Hoopla (London) regularly sell out months in advance.

🌟 Learn Live from LA: Improv with Suzi Barrett, Chris & Ellen! 🌟

Don't miss this exclusive improv weekend! We're bringing the incredible Suzi Barrett (virtually live from LA) for two evening sessions focused on the core tools of sharp, grounded improv: Game and pulling premise.

Your Weekend Lineup:

Suzi Barrett (Virtual): Friday & Saturday evenings. A rare chance to learn directly from one of the best!

Chris & Ellen (In-Person): Scotland's finest improvisers will lead the rest of the weekend, bringing energy, insight, and encouragement. They will facilitate sets after Suzi's sessions and deliver their own coaching sessions on Saturday and Sunday afternoons.

Grand Finale: All roads lead to the Bonanza SBT Show on Sunday, December 14th at Blackfriars, where you'll perform for a live audience!

This unique format has been honed to perfection at ACS. Join us for a weekend of world-class coaching and performance!

"A masterclass in quiet, unhurried comedy." — The Guardian

We have arranged a world-class learning opportunity for our community with David Elms (Musical Comedy Awards winner, Harry Hill’s ClubNite). Known for his work grounded in play, clarity, and craft, David is running two intimate workshops designed to take the pressure off your performance.

Hear Me Out: Find the Fool A lot of comedy revolves around someone's 'foolish' behavior. Therefore, a very useful skill is knowing how to make YOURSELF the fool. We will practice becoming 'fools' by heightening our emotions, by having 'bad' ideas, by focusing on unexpected goals. We will also practice knowing the difference between a 'gift' and an 'unreasonable demand.' It all comes down to having an unusual thing in the scene. Lots of short two-person scenes, be ready to do a lot of reps.

Learn Live from NYC! Shannon will be beaming in virtually to teach these sessions, while the class gathers to play and learn in-person together at ACS. It’s an incredible, rare opportunity to train directly with a world-class UCB legend without having to leave town!

Shannon O’Neill has been with UCB Theatre since 2000, holding almost every position from Student to Artistic Director.

You’ve seen her on Broad City, The Other Two, High Maintenance, The Chris Gethard Show, and more. She currently produces and performs in RaaaatScraps: The World’s Best Improv Show in NYC.