Bristol Improv Theatre is at risk of closing and are in the process of trying to raise funds to save the theatre and the community. In the past we used to have the BIT write for us on a regular basis and from this is was apparent the strong impact it has on the community of Bristol. Today, I hand the writing reigns over to Amy Iles to explain more about it and how you can help out.

The Bristol Improv Theatre have announced that they are under threat of closure within the next three months and have launched a fundraising campaign – ‘Save the Bristol Improv Theatre’ – with the goal of raising £20,000.

This campaign will ensure they can keep their doors open, transition to a sustainable business model and continue to empower, educate and entertain Bristol audiences through the art of improv. They are promoting three key ways for people to support them: donate to the campaign; buy tickets for their events; and tell others about their work.

“Through their Theatre School, they provide a safe and supportive space for adults to explore their creative identities, which has been described as ‘transformative’ and ‘life-changing’ by many of their students...”

The Bristol Improv Theatre, which has recently become a charity, is the UK’s first dedicated venue for improvised theatre. They create, teach and perform spontaneous theatre that is welcoming, creatively ambitious and unapologetically entertaining. They host renowned improv and comedy acts from all over the UK and overseas, as well as being a hub for talented local troupes. Their venue in Clifton is a home for Bristol’s amazing improv community and has been described as the friendliest place in Bristol.

The closure of this Bristol grassroots venue would be a devastating loss for Bristol’s Arts scene. Their work brings connection, creativity and joy to people across Bristol and beyond. Not only does the theatre provide an exciting array of alternative theatre shows and high-quality improv training, but a strong sense of community is at the heart of everything the organisation does.

Through the promotion of improv, the theatre helps increase confidence and well-being of its audiences and students as well as helping them find connection. Through their Theatre School, they provide a safe and supportive space for adults to explore their creative identities, which has been described as ‘transformative’ and ‘life-changing’ by many of their students.

If they are successful in securing the £20,000 needed to keep their doors open, their long term plans include making their building’s public spaces fully accessible, expanding their community work across Bristol and becoming a hub for developing new improvised theatre performances. But their first step is to fundraise and restructure to keep the organisation running in a way that is financially stable.

“The closure of this Bristol grassroots venue would be a devastating loss for Bristol’s Arts scene. Their work brings connection, creativity and joy to people across Bristol and beyond.“

The ‘Save the Bristol Improv Theatre’ campaign will be running from now until late September. The theatre is hosting a charity fundraiser event on Friday 26th July as part of their Improv Appreciation weekend.

As part of the ‘Save the Bristol Improv Theatre’ campaign, the organisation is promoting three key ways that people can support their work.

These are:
Donate to the campaign
Buy Tickets
Tell a friend

For more information about the campaign and how to donate, head to the ‘Save the Bristol Improv Theatre’ campaign homepage.