carla keen.
theatre-maker.
carla keen.
theatre-maker.
'It’s an incredibly inspiring trait, to be able to take a bad situation and
use it to thrive, and one that theatre maker Carla Keen has in bundles.'
- A Younger Theatre on // SEED, created in lockdown 2020
Photo: Fay Roberts
theatre.
teaching.
I have been teaching improvisation for over ten years, from eight-week beginners courses to masterclasses in improvised dramaturgy and character. I also run workshops for groups who want to work on their communication and presentation skills.
Before I taught improvisation, I worked as a CELTA-qualified English as a Foreign Language teacher, and I have taught people from a wide-variety of backgrounds and ages throughout my career.
I enjoy holding space for people to feel safe and creative, and this care for participants can often also be seen in the work I make as a theatre practitioner.
'Our students loved working with Carla...it really helped our group of students from diverse backgrounds get to know each other and set the tone of acceptance and support for the week. Carla exceeded our expectations and our students cited her improv session as one of the highlights of the week.'
- Rachel Gil, Associate Director, Cresset Capital
'If you want somewhere to learn improv, this is a safe, fun, and encouraging environment in which to do it... I thoroughly recommend it.'
- Simone, Student in an adult beginners class
Photo: Shutterstock
about.
I am a theatre-maker based in Cambridge, UK.
I make work with an interest in form(at) and structure, and how to explore in what is happening in the space at any given time. I am fascinated by the present; the uniqueness of an instance, and how we attempt to capture, save and retain moments. I call this 'moment-specific' theatre.
Primarily, I am a theatrical improviser; I have also trained in clown, movement, and game making, in addition to working for several years as a lighting technician in a large regional theatre.
I am the artistic director of The Ministry of Unplanned Occurrences, a theatre company who make unscripted live shows. We produce around three shows a year, and typically each will have three to four unique performances in a show week. Occasionally, we tour these shows to festivals and venues around the UK.
I have an MA in Advanced Theatre Practice from the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama and a BA in English Studies from Oxford Brookes University.