Swords and Spells: Improvising in High-Fantasy

The magical worlds of Tolkien's novels and D&D campaigns are some of the most fun playgrounds in which to improvise. In this class we'll go over the key elements of playing in this genre, with its characters, stories and worlds. Explore forests and settle frontier towns, showdown with the evil queen and revel in the tavern; let's build a fantasy together.

We'll dig into how to build the world of high fantasy stories by describing the setting of a scene; practising creating and playing the vast range of characters found in the genre, and making sense of any combination of these characters; an introduction to narrative structure and application to high-fantasy.

Juwel Haque is an improvisation teacher, performer and director. He teaches classes and courses for beginners through to professionals. His style is relaxed and encouraging, creating a safe and trusting environment within which to take risks. Juwel is passionate not just about sharing his own expertise but also about cultivating insightful players who can reflect and think for themselves.

Juwel makes improvised plays and shows with The Maydays, Somewhat Theatre, and Comediasians. Since 2014, he's been performing improv of all types in a quest to master the artform, and loves the challenge of joining his castmates to create thematic and human plays. He's done practically everything in improv: director of the Nursery Theatre Originals show United, coach and consultant, festival producer and theatre manager, show and jam host, tech improviser and spreadsheet wizard, photographer and podcaster, fan and friend.

Juwel will be performing with the Maydays in Happily Never After at the Bristol Improv Theatre (together with Rebecca MacMillan, regular Stroud Improv class tutor).