Where we started…
The Free Association started in 2014 with a small group of hungry Improvisers lead by Graham Dickson, Max Olesker and Ivan Gonzalez (Pictured Right). They approached a new East London Theatre (Now The home of the FA) and it’s owners Jonny Collis and Ryan Dench, looking for a night to showcase their skills.
Shortly after the first show, Mike Orton-Toliver joined the crew to start our school. With early support from LA’s finest Jim Woods - Graham, Mike, Jonny and Ryan built The Free Association from the ground up.
…
Lots of other stuff happened… and a decade later, here we are!
Left to right - Nel Mooney, Max Olesker, Jessica Ransom, Graham Dickson, Freya Parker, Joseph Morpurgo, Ivan Gonzalez - The OG FA players.
Our Mission
The mission has always been the same. Start an improv revolution.
We’ve been building our ranks, opertating above pubs and in the back rooms of theatres. We’ve co-opted your friends, your parents, your bank manager. It’s been happening under your nose for 10 years and now there’s no stopping us. *evil laugh*
(Truthfully though - our goal is to move improv into the mainstream.)
Graham Dickson trying to instigate an improv revolution in 2015 - in hingsight this was a little too early to be effective.
Where we are going?
Over the last decade we’ve taught 1000’s upon 1000’s of individuals, worked with the biggest business in the world, and performed shows on the most prestigious comedy stages. We’ve been trusted to live stage adaptations of famous IP, and worked with the biggest names in comedy.
Our alumni have gone on to win Olivier awards and Baftas, launch and perform west end shows, perform, write and direct for Marvel, Netflix, BBC, and more.
All the while, the FA is stead-fast in it’s course. Join us. Light your creative spark, meet collaborators and peers, do brilliant stuff and let us ride your coat-tails to the top (…please?)
