Brenna Dixon
Ensemble Cast | Teacher
Joined Impro Melbourne: 2015
Skills: Actor, Improvisor, Technician, Stage manager, Teacher.
Performance background:
Brenna is an improvisational actor and director who has performed all over Australia and abroad. She is the Director of the improvised musical Smells Like a Song, an Ensemble player at Impro Melbourne and Artistic Director of the nominated Best Comedy (Melb Fringe 2019) show Soothplayers - Completely Improvised Shakespeare. She is one of the co-creators and performers in the duo I Wish…, improvising songs and stories inspired by anonymous wishes from the audience. Brenna uses her improvisation, musical and clowning skills to entertain children in paediatric hospitals across Australia as part of the Starlight Children’s Foundation.
Brenna completed the Bachelor of Performing Arts at Monash University and currently teaches and performs for schools, corporates and the general public.
Teaching experience:
Brenna is a supportive and enthusiastic teacher, always sharing her passion for art form with students. She has been teaching drama and improvisation since 2012, in Australia and overseas. Brenna has taught adults and children of all ages, and for companies including Brave Studios, The Decent People, New Zealand Improv Festival and Monash University, just to name a few. Brenna teaches workshops on improvised Shakespeare, musicals, scene work and stage craft, but particularly loves introducing newcomers to improvisation.
Student Testimonials:
"Brenna makes everyone feel comfortable and included. She's great!"
“Brenna is such a calm and supportive teacher and created a space where we were all really willing to throw ourselves in and support one another.”
“Brenna holds a room with warmth, calm and compassion. A workshop with Brenna feels like a warm hug and you come out the other side a better improviser!”
“Brenna is an excellent leader and facilitator. She managed to cater to a range of skill levels and abilities, while providing a safe space for everyone to learn and grow as a collective and as individual performers.”
Teaching credits
Impro Melbourne Ensemble
Soothplayers: Completely Improvised Shakespeare
New Zealand Improv Festival
Cornish College
The Decent People
Impro credits
Grand Theft Impro 2017
Theatresports™ 2015 - 2017
Maestro Impro 2015 - 2017
Performed at Improvention 2016 Canberra
Co-directed Smells Like a Song 2016/17 Melbourne
Impro motto or quote:
“There are people who prefer to say 'yes' and there are people who prefer to say 'no'. Those who say 'yes' are rewarded by the adventures they have. Those who say 'no' are rewarded by the safety they attain.” - Keith Johnstone
Impro Mentor:
I’ve been lucky enough to work with many amazing and generous improvisers, and the ones that I look up to most have taught me that you never finish learning.
Favourite IM show or role:
Smells Like a Song, Impro Melbourne's musical format. I love the challenge of improvising songs at the requestion of the audience and weaving them into a satisfying story.
Comic inspirations: Tina Fey, Amy Poehler and Terry Pratchett.
My little secret:
When in doubt, have an emotional reaction. Change emotion first, and then discover why you character reacted that way.
