V4 Improv Connect 2.0: Stories Without Borders — What, Why, and How
We’re excited to officially share that V4 Improv Connect is back for a 2.0 edition — and this time, we’re diving deeper.
V4 Improv Connect 2.0: Stories Without Borders is an international cultural project connecting improvisational theatre communities in Slovakia, Czechia, Hungary, and Poland through a shared process of training, creation, touring, and outreach. The project runs from 2 March 2026 to 31 May 2027, and it’s built around one big goal:
to create and share a new improv performance format that local audiences can truly enjoy — even if they don’t speak English.
We also want to say a heartfelt thank you to the International Visegrad Fund for supporting this second phase and allowing us to continue the work after the successful completion of V4 Improv Connect (Phase 1).
Why We’re Doing This
Improv theatre across the V4 region is still often underrepresented. In many places, it’s not clearly recognized as its own theatrical discipline — it’s usually grouped under “theatre” in cultural reporting and programming, which makes it less visible and harder to support consistently. Structured improv training also varies widely between countries and cities.
And then there’s another very real barrier: language.
A lot of improv festivals and workshops in our region run primarily in English. That’s understandable in international contexts — but it can also mean local audiences and improvisers are left out. Many people simply don’t attend English-language shows, even when they love theatre. Over time, that limits audience growth, community relevance, and the long-term place improv can have in local cultural life.
So the core question behind V4 Improv Connect 2.0 is simple:
How can we create improv theatre that’s artistically rich, story-driven, and genuinely accessible to local audiences across different languages?
What We Learned from Phase 1
In Phase 1 (2023–2025), we proved the network works.
We connected improv communities across the V4 region and beyond, created new long-form formats, toured, trained, and built real relationships between partner theatres. We also saw clear audience interest and the positive impact of cross-border collaboration — not only artistically, but also in how improv can build confidence, connection, and creativity in diverse communities.
Phase 1 gave us momentum.
Phase 2 is about structure, accessibility, and long-term impact.
What’s Different This Time
1) A format designed for locals — not just international audiences
The biggest difference is the creative focus:
we are developing a multilingual, language-barrier-free improv show format.
This isn’t about “dumbing things down,” or turning improv into mime, or using fake language. It’s about building something that’s story-first, theatrical, and emotionally clear — using tools like:
- music and rhythm
- movement and physical storytelling
- archetypes and strong narrative structure
- non-verbal clarity (without losing depth)
- multilingual elements used intentionally (not accidentally)
The goal is simple: local audiences should be able to follow, feel, and enjoy the show, even if they don’t speak English.
2) A clearer pipeline from creation → performance → sharing
This time, the project is designed like a full journey:
- Labs to develop and test the format
- Tours to perform it for public audiences in each partner country
- Outreach to reach students and marginalized communities
- Open dissemination so the format doesn’t stay “locked” inside the project
3) Open access: we will publish the format under Creative Commons (CC BY)
We want this work to live beyond the grant period.
That means the created format (and selected learning materials) will be shared publicly through our website under a Creative Commons (CC BY) license — so other theatres and artists can learn it, adapt it, and perform it.
We believe this open approach can raise the bar not only in the V4 region, but across Europe. Europe is culturally and linguistically diverse — and improv should be able to thrive in that reality, not be limited by it.
Our Project Partners
V4 Improv Connect 2.0 is built on strong cross-border collaboration between partner organisations in each V4 country:
- Slovakia (Lead Applicant): ISAC / Funnylicious Theater
- Czechia: České národní improvizační divadlo / Joke Division (founded by Lada Karda)
- Hungary: Itt és Most Társulat
- Poland: Teatr Wschodni
Together, we share training methods, artistic approaches, local knowledge, and audiences—so improv grows as a recognised and valued part of cultural life across the region.
How We Will Do It
Improv Labs (in each V4 country)
The Improv Labs are intensive 2–3 day creative sessions hosted in each partner country. Trainers and experienced performers from all four countries come together to research, rehearse, and co-create the new format.
The Labs include a strong “train-the-trainer” element: participants are leaders in their local communities, and they bring the learning back to their home theatres to share the methods and help strengthen their local scenes.
Tours (public performances across the region)
The Tours are where the work meets the public. Each partner country will host performances of the new format in theatre settings, with a clear priority:
to reach local audiences who don’t usually attend English-language shows.
Dates and cities will be announced as schedules are finalized—and we’ll post updates on our website and social media.
Outreach (free access and community collaboration)
Outreach is built into every partner city so the project reaches beyond the theatre bubble. This includes:
- free tickets reserved for outreach audiences
- introductory improv workshops for schools and universities
- collaboration with local NGOs to reach marginalized groups (such as refugees and migrants, Roma communities, LGBTQ+ communities, and others depending on local context)
Improv is not only performance—it’s also a powerful tool for life skills: confidence, communication, teamwork, creativity, and resilience. Outreach helps ensure these benefits reach the people who most deserve access, but often have the fewest opportunities.
Follow Along
We’ll be sharing updates as the project unfolds—behind-the-scenes moments from the Labs, Tour announcements, outreach highlights, photos, and video documentation.
To stay in the loop, follow our updates here on the website—and on our social media.
Contact Information:
hello@isac-eu.org
The project is co-financed by the Governments of Czechia, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia through Visegrad Grants from the International Visegrad Fund. The mission of the fund is to advance ideas for sustainable regional cooperation in Central Europe.
