About Flat Improv
Online improv is a REAL LIFE and valid way to learn important improv skills, have fun, and meet very creative and smart human beings. And yes, improv "can be done" online - and is sometimes a better environment for learning as you can focus on certain skillsets better/more effectively.
You can stand up and be physical in online improv. I have bruised myself nearly a half dozen times from throwing myself around in front of the camera (and being generally clumsy when in the moment). I've even broken my hand doing it.
BUT - it can be hard to find where to do online improv, which is why I started this site. Just to help YOU find improv.
Every week I host free improv jams online, and every second week I compile a public newsletter helping you find online improv activities.
I also write and publish a free podcast episode or article about improv through the lens of neurodiversity. This is to help with the inclusion of neurodivergent improvisers in classes, teams, and shows - it helps neurodivergent improvisers (like me!) learn and improvise, and teachers understand some of our challenges.
The substack is helpful, I hope, to all improvisers regardless of neurotype. You most definitely teach or improvise with us!
About Jen
I'm Jen (she/her) and I made this site because I like online improv and want to support it as an inclusive activity for demographics that might not otherwise get to do improv. I also focus on neurodiversity and improv (teaching and learning) on my substack here. It's relevant to ALL improvisers regardless of neurotype.
I have taught long form improv classes at WGIS (World's Greatest Improv School) and Queen City Comedy. I host long form improv jams at both schools, and Compass Improv. I am also the WGIS Online School Director. It's all very fun, and I like fun.
I create, produce, and improvise or talk about improv in some shows/podcasts too. Neurodiversity & Improv podcast, World's Nerdiest Improv Show (WNIS) (weenis) and (depending on when you're reading this upcoming or new) Bad at Business with Maureen Faucet-Clooder podcast.
Why online?
Because some humans cannot access improv due to location, disability, cost, or safety reasons.
Also - it's fun, great, community, and you can skill build like a MOFO because you can find the best teachers from ALL OVER THE PLACE online. It's wild who I get notes and coaching from every week.
It also lets you focus hard on building certain skills. Many of these skills do not require a stage to learn or develop. And you don't have the distractions of being on a stage, and you often have a much smaller class size too (more stage time! More reps!)
So if you haven't tried it yet, do. And if you currently bad-mouth it, stop. It's a different thing, we're not trying to compete with a wooden stage.
What does Flat Improv mean? Why FLAT?
Flat improv is online improv (which is 2D... hence... flat.) This site is for all improv that takes place on a screen, whether it's a livestream, a zoom class, or online videos that are improvised. I want to help you find these things, so I made this site.
Questions? Problems? Contact Flat Improv.
Support the work
It's expensive to run this site and connected services out-of-pocket, and is very labour intensive to support the community with ad-free newsletters and website, host free jams (they're volunteer-based), and community livestreams. And especially produce original content like the podcasts, videos, and articles.
If it's accessible to you, please consider supporting this work for our community to help it keep going! ANY of these tells me it's worth continuing, and helps so much. Thank you!
- Neurodiversity & Improv Substack (subscribe for free, or pledge. If enough folx are interested in pledging I will do bonus material for paid subscribers & open up a private discussion community on neurodivergent experiences in improv)
- Patreon (subscribe)
- Buymeacoffee or Ko-fi (one-time donation)
- Take my classes or ask me to coach or teach at your school (sessions are online and accessible!)
Or just subscribe to the newsletter!
I do other stuff, I guess
I have about 25 years experience in developing and designing websites, video and audio editing, instructional design and content planning, graphic design and logos, quality engineering, technical writing (authored/edited about 30 mainstream tech books), event and community management, strategy and planning, SEO, marketing, and more. I tried every job until I learned it well, so I'm kind of a jen-of-all-trades or whatever.
I started teaching in classrooms when I was a teenager, and nearly every job I've had involved instruction in some way -- so have over 30 years experience in that.
I worked full time in Silicon Valley for tech giants like Adobe and Motorola... and smaller tech companies like Pet360 too. I also performed freelance work for a long time and built several e-comm businesses from scratch, mostly to learn how to e-comm every different platform. I also offer consulting and freelancing for a variety of web projects and business needs. You can contact me about that stuff, too. I still do it, and am fast and efficient.