Scene Starts
Scene Starts
Level / Experience: Intermediate
Tap into your intuition and spontaneity to start scenes from absolutely nothing. We’ll learn how embodiment, labelling, and strong choices can overcome analysis paralysis. You’ll also learn how to make decisions in ambiguous situations by reading intent and body language. This short-course is an optional bridge for players progressing to Make a Scene.
When: Tuesdays 14 & 21 July 2026 (two weeks)
Time: 6:00 - 8:00pm (two hours)
Where: Loftus Recreation Centre Birak - First Summer, 99 Loftus St, Leederville
Teacher: Aden Date
Tap into your intuition and spontaneity to start scenes from absolutely nothing! We’ll learn how embodiment, labelling, and strong choices can overcome analysis paralysis. Through structured, focused exercises this brief primer is intended to bridge your existing playfulness and spontaneity to the work of starting great improv scenes.
We’ll learn how to read people better (and risk getting it wrong), read the situation and make confident choices, and begin to recognise character & identity (and how these manifest in the body).
This course is intended to provide one teacher’s preferred approach to starting scenes and will scaffold (but isn’t required for) Make a Scene. Scene Starts is designed for players who have completed at least Rediscover Play.
Skills you’ll build…without even noticing
Through games, scenes, and a little organised chaos from improvised theatre, this short-course gives you practical experience in:
Learn how to read people better (and risk getting it wrong).
Balance making confident choices while reading the situation.
Start messing around with character and identity.
FAQs
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This short-course provides a taste of Aden’s favourite approach to starting scenes. Every teacher approaches scene starts slightly differently, and sampling a few teachers’ different perspectives will help you determine what works best for you.
If you’re taking Make a Scene in Term 3 or 4, this short-course is a great compliment to that (without being required).
If you’ve taken Make a Scene with Aden before, or have familiarity with Dave Razowsky’s A Subversive’s Guide to Improvisation, you can think of this as a brief course/refresher.
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Absolutely! You can purchase courses as a gift, or just enrol a friend to join you. When you enrol, just say “It’s for someone else,” and add their details. If you want it to be a surprise, please let us know when you’ve completed the enrolment.
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You’re being asked to be playful, support growth for yourself & your classmates, and respect boundaries. We also ask that you make people feel welcome, respected, and included. Improvisation is a practice founded on creative self-expression, discrimination or harassment will not be tolerated. More details on all of this is available in our Conditions of Participation.
We also expect you attend a minimum of six classes to perform in the showcase, though we may make exceptions on a case-by-case basis. -
We strive to create a welcoming, trusting, and safe environment where marginalised folks can find joyful, creative self-expression. Historically our courses have been particularly popular with neurodivergent people, those with social anxiety, or those who speak English as a second language.
Since our courses are delivered in a group coaching environment, we cannot provide one-on-one support. This means participants need to demonstrate a certain level of self-awareness and self-management. Anyone with a serious mental health condition, trauma, or complex inclusion needs is asked to consider whether this course is appropriate for them. Improvisation can support wellbeing, but it is not therapeutic intervention. Our facilitators are great teachers, but they are not healthcare professionals. If you’re unsure whether or not this course is for you, you’re very welcome to email us directly at inquiries@onlythehuman.com to discuss your needs.
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All courses are offered at our ‘early bird’ rate up to approx. 72 hrs before the course begins — enrolment pricing will then revert to the full retail cost.
Each term we offer two partial scholarships for Rediscover Play to students who face marginalisation, discrimination, or financial hardship. These scholarships discount the course cost by $150 and are offered on a no questions asked basis - the discount code for this course is “HELPPLAY” to be applied at checkout.
Still have questions?
Reach out and we will fill in the gaps.
Other workshops on offer
Make A Scene
Level / Experience: Intermediate
Deepen your improv skills, build creative confidence, and learn to create scenes and stories in real time. Designed for improvisers who have completed Rediscover Play.
Scenius
Level / Experience: Advanced
Explore collective creativity through advanced improv, longer scenes, and collaborative performance. Designed for players who have completed Make a Scene.
5 stars on Google by over 80 reviews!
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Rediscover Play
Unlock creative confidence in a fun, supportive environment.
Level / Experience: Beginner
Step out of your comfort zone, build confidence, and connect with others in a low-stakes, high-fun environment. Rediscover Play is designed for those completely new to improvisation and more experienced players looking to firm up their confidence and spontaneity.
This course uses games and exercises from improvised theatre to give you practical experience:
🫰 Accepting our own and others’ ideas without judgment.
🫰 Feeling safe enough to be spontaneous with a group.
🫰 Adapting and thriving in uncertain situations.
Our courses are a cohort and term-based experience, so you’ll be part of a supportive and diverse group of people. Courses are offered over an eight weeks, with weekly two-hour classes beginning at 6:00pm.