Who is Blanche?
Blanche! You know, the lady in the famous play where that guy yells up to her window “Blanche!! Blaaaaaaanche!!”.
What kind of improv do you do at Blanche Improv?
The kind of improv you’ll see at Blanche has been strongly influenced by the American style improv theaters in Chicago, New York and LA.
Blanche loves improvised theatre in all its glorious shapes, sizes and colours, if it’s good quality, Blanche loves it!
Okay, back it up. What is improv?
Improvised theatre, performed by people who are trained to create in the moment, as you watch. Whatever you see at Blanche is a one time only deal- never seen before, never to be seen again!
Most of the shows at Blanche are Long Form, a type of improv where the team asks the audience for a word and they create an entire show! And Blanche hosts some Short Form shows- you’ll recognize challenges that were made famous in that tv show.
How long has Blanche Improv been running for?
Blanche Improv was founded by Artistic Director, Lelda in June 2023. The company began with Lelda running teams so that people who'd done lots of improv courses could continue their development by being part of a team.
Teams are very much the heart of Blanche Improv and the Blanche Improv theatre started hosting shows primarily to give people on teams regular shows.
The theatre opened in January 2024 and at the same time, Blanche started running improv courses.
Do you have Stand Up shows at Blanche?
Not at the moment. Stand Up scares the s**t out of Blanche so it’s improv and a bit of sketch for now!!
Does Blanche host any online events?
Blanche is a little bit allergic to online improv but if all other options have been explored and the best choice is a video call, she now provides some online improv coaching. Her preference is still to get people in a room laughing and frolicking about together!!
Does Blanche offer payment plans or bursaries?
Payment plans- yes!! 100%!! Just chat to Blanche, she’s very happy to come to an arrangement that suits both you and her.
Students can do front of house shifts to reduce their fees.
Bursaries- depends. Some events have real life costs which Blanche simply cannot avoid, so she isn’t able to offer bursaries on those. There are some instances where Blanche can offer either a payment holiday or a bursary, this is by special arrangement. Blanche wants to make sure everyone can attend rehearsals and eat, so she’s always open to discussion.
If you’d like to chat to Blanche about any of this, please email her!
Do you pay your performers?
Most of the players on Blanche’s teams pay to be part of the team. The payment covers coaching, venue hire, team management, producing shows and promoting the teams. When a player performs as part of a Blanche team in her theatre, she gives them a reduction on their player contribution, regardless of ticket sales. When a show at Blanche makes a profit from ticket sales, Blanche shares that profit with the players - first as a reduction on fees and eventually, Blanche’s aim is to pay her team members when they perform. (That’s a little way off!)
If a Blanche team performs at as a guest at a different venue and the team is paid, Blanche shares that payment equally between the players who perform.
For ticketed shows where guest teams are performing, Blanche shares the profit from ticket sales with the teams. No one gets paid if the show has free tickets.
So, if you come to see your friend in a show at Blanche, please buy a ticket!! The money is going to them, not to Blanche’s coffee and cake habit.
Our team would love to play at one of Blanche’s shows, does Blanche have guest spots available?
Yes!!! Blanche has guest spots available in Blanche’s Besties (a show entirely for guest acts), Ride or Die (London’s finest Improv Duos) and Blanche Improv Extravaganza (a community show for guest acts, new shows and student performances).
Blanche gives guest acts a split of door sales. Except for the Extravaganzas- cause those tickets are free.
Please contact Blanche at blanche@blancheimprov.com to express your interest in performing at Blanche.
I have an improv event like a class, course or show I’d like to promote, can Blanche help spread the word?
Blanche’s mission is to share the love of improv so whenever possible she helps teams and individuals share information about events that are not part of the Blanche program. There are times when Blanche isn’t able to share information about other events- she’s not comfortable promoting courses led by a teacher who’s work she’s not familiar with and it’s a bit tricky if the event is in direct conflict with Blanche’s schedule. She is always open to a discussion and may be able to help in other ways. If you would like Blanche to support your event, please speak to a member of the Blanche team or email Blanche. Blanche asks that you do not promote your event at Blanche without having a chat first.
My team is falling apart/I have an idea for a team but can’t do the admin/I want to form a team but don’t know how, can Blanche help?
100%!!! Yes!! If you would like Blanche to help you run an existing team or set up a new team, email her. Blanche will agree with you how much involvement she will have- from simply helping you find a coach and set up a WhatsApp group to Blanche doing all the admin, developing your idea into a show and putting your team on her regular performance roster.
I’m an Awesome Coach/Super Star Improviser/I Have Special Skills And I Really Wanna Work With Blanche.
Amazing!!! Blanche loves meeting new people and working with other passionate improv and theatre peeps. At the moment, Blanche is focused on cultivating a healthy improv eco-system and the first order of business is to support and promote members of the Blanche Improv community. Currently, she is not able to facilitate workshops lead by guests. If you’d like to open a dialogue to work together in the future, please send Blanche an email and she’ll get back to you as soon as her curls are set.
What’s the deal with your teams?
Blanche runs improv teams so people who love improv can access some of the best coaching in London, enjoy plenty of performance opportunities and never have to deal with organising-improvisers-admin again! No more Doodle Poll Dread. If you’re interested in joining a team where all the annoying admin stuff is all sorted and you have regular shows, please email Blanche.
I read somewhere about some Code of Conduct thing… What’s that?
Blanche is on a mission to spread kindness through the magic of improvised theatre but she’s not all hippy dippy la la about it. She has a Code of Conduct which she expects everyone in the Blanche Improv community to follow and she has specific agreements for coaches, players and students. Here they all are:
Player Agreement (for members of Blanche Improv teams)
I would like to send feedback anonymously to Blanche, how can I do that?
Blanche has an ‘always on’ feedback form which does not require contact details. Please leave your feedback here and Blanche will follow up. If you would like Blanche to reply to you, please include your name and the best way to get in contact.
I think Blanche is doing some awesome stuff and I want to help, what’s the best thing I can do?
Keep coming along to shows and classes and bring your friends!!
Please leave a review on whichever platform you found Blanche and if your friend told you, a google review would be hugely appreciated!
Blanche is an independent theatre company and does not receive funding. If you’d like to make a financial contribution, you can make a payment to help cover fees for players in financial need. Please email Blanche for further details.
