Biography
Wade Jackson has been performing, teaching and producing improvised comedy since 1994. He is the founder of The Improv Bandits, NZ's most successful improv troupe, founder of the Covert Theatre, the spiritual home of improvisation in New Zealand and co-founder of the Auckland Improv Festival. No wonder NZ media have called him Mr Improv.
As a teacher
Wade’s deep understanding of the principles of improvisation allow him to positively impact any improv group; whether it’s short form, long form or a narrative style of improv.
Wade designs the Covert Theatre member workshops and has taught at international festivals such as the Chicago Improv Festival (USA), Improvaganza (Hawaii), Brisbane Improv Festival (Australia) and Inspinazie Improv Festival (Belgium).
When not on the improv stage, Wade teaches the science of human behaviour through play to businesses, Militaries, Universities, elite athletes and not-for-profit organisations. Wade is also an author and playwright. His plays include The Covid Response Team (an adult puppet show performed under UV light) and is the author of three books on self-leadership, business storytelling & facilitation. He has worked on four continents and his work is endorsed by world leading thinkers such as Stephen Covey and Edward de Bono.
Wade is a master teacher. With post graduate qualifications in both Drama and Health Science he combines his unique background in the healing, performing and martial arts to create a learning experience quite like no other.
More information: https://www.improvisedcomedy.com/
Wade’s Workshops
2024 Workshop Previews
Ferris Wheel (workshop to show)
Learn the Covert’s audience favourite show set at the top of a Ferris Wheel. This workshop teaches strong character choices, scenic variety, heightened awareness and is wonderful for those improvisers looking to move from short form to long form and narrative improv.
Note: Casting for the show will be done from this workshop but not all participants are guaranteed a performance slot.
The Cinema Game
Learn Jean Louis Barreault’s amazing actor’s exercise. The Cinema Game teaches you everything you need to know about acting. Learn to develop complementary characters, strong needs, powerful transitions, subtlety, physical awareness, team work and create wonderful stories all in silence. The Cinema Game is an advanced form of improvisation as it’s more than ‘Yes And’ – it imparts complementarity and highlights how laughter is a necessary step to take an audience to awe.
The workshop promises to be challenging, refreshing, frustrating and enlightening. It is a must for all serious improvisers and actors and not recommended for beginners.
Testimonials
"Wade Jackson has a brilliant mind for the art of improv. He is a phenomenal performer and one who can elevate new artists through his teaching of the art form.”
Garrick Paikai, Artistic Director at On the SPOT Hawaii
"I've taken part in shows and workshops with Wade Jackson and was simply amazed by his great generosity as a player and teacher. The sense of sharing and transmitting ideas and concepts, are those of a qualified teacher, efficient, full of wisdom and improv skills.
Wade masters and loves his art deeply, that’s for me, the reason why he makes his fellow players or students feel comfortable on stage and in workshops. These qualities combined with experience and open-mindedness enable him to convey his point of view with strength. He has clearly been a turning point in my conception of spontaneous theatre by bringing positivism, the feeling of togetherness and self-confidence to his partners or pupils.
One can only be grateful to have met such a character, capable of sharing rather than only giving. I’d advise having him as a pocket master in life and on stage!"
Flavien Reppert, Artistic Director, Theatre de l’oignon, Strasbourg, France
"Wade is a wonderful teacher. He knows how to get the essence of a story and is very understanding. What I like in particular is his low profile way of teaching. He is a man who finds genuine pleasure in sharing his knowledge, without expecting anything in return. He offers room for dialogue and gets people thinking. He is convincing and at the same time does not impose his ideas. I see similarities with the way he leads The Improv Bandits, a group of competent players. He himself is a very observant player with a lot of insight in stories and a playful touch. And... blessed with incredible Shakespearian poetry skills!"
