Courtyard Playhouse Community - Comedy, Acting and Improv

*This is a paid event. RSVP on Meetup is not enough — to confirm your place, please complete your registration through our website. *

Join us for a high-energy, joyfully challenging 3-day musical improv intensive led by Andrew Gentilli, a veteran performer with London’s renowned musical improv troupe Music Box, where he’s been making up stories in song for over 13 years.

Over the course of the workshop, Andrew will guide you through the essential ingredients of musical improvisation:
• Creating vivid characters your audience connects with
• Building powerful relationships that fuel dramatic and comic tension
• Bursting into memorable songs that feel inevitable and emotionally true
• Staging your scenes dynamically to make the most of the space and moment
• Structuring a musical show to shape your improvisation into a story with heart, stakes and satisfying arcs

This workshop will equip experienced improvisors with with the tools to create spontaneous, emotionally resonant musicals — and have a blast doing it.
No previous singing or musical training required — just a willingness to jump in, listen, and say “yes, and” with gusto.

Class Schedule:
Fri 24 October 7:00pm-10:00pm
Sat 25 October 7:00pm-10:00pm
Sun 26 October 7:00pm-10:00pm

About Andrew Gentilli
Andrew trained as an actor at The Oxford School of Drama and Drama Centre London before going on to study improvisation at iO Chicago, UCB New York, The Hideout in Texas, The Loose Moose Theatre in Canada, Hoopla in London and various masterclasses across Europe. He now teaches and performs improv around the world, including corporate events and private coaching.
He performs in Music Box: The Improvised Comedy Musical, two-prov team BEINGS with Susan Harrison, as well as founding short-form group The Inflatables and Storybag, specialising in long-form plays.
Andrew’s focus is on creating vivid characters and relationships to make engaging scenes and narratives, and bringing a positive spirit to short, long, or freeform improv.
Outside of improv Andrew is an artist, filmmaker and voice actor.

Please note: RSVPing on Meetup does not guarantee entry. To secure your spot, kindly register through our website — priority is given to website sign-ups.

The evening begins with a round of playful improv – quick-fire games and spontaneous scenework fuelled by your suggestions.

Once everyone’s warmed up, the spotlight shifts to something truly magical as magician and stand-up comedian Annanya George teams up with Rushdi Rafeek. Together, they blend illusion, comedy and improvisation to conjure up The Greatest Magic Show Ever.

Expect laughter, surprises, and a touch of wonder as the ordinary is transformed into the extraordinary, live on stage.

Running since 2008, The Desert Monologues has seen countless Dubai actors (and non-actors) step onto our stage and into the spotlight.

The Playhouse’s flagship 6 week acting workshop for adults will explore script-work, improvisation and characterisation. Our experienced instructor will teach you how to get the best out of your voice and improve your stagecraft.

Choose your own monologue piece, design your costume, sound and lighting under the guidance of our instructor and finally step into the spotlight on our stage! This is a diverse course that is designed to be challenging and fun. Whether you are an experienced actor wanting some stage practice in a professional theatre or a beginner wanting to improve your confidence and meet like-minded individuals – this is the course for you!

• Limited participants per class ensuring personalised attention
• Over 16 hours of tuition including one hour individual rehearsal and stage-time in a professional theatre
• A showcase performance at the Courtyard Playhouse open to your friends and family

* Please note: RSVPing on Meetup does not guarantee entry. To secure your spot, kindly register through our website — priority is given to website sign-ups.*

The Playhouse welcomes you to our Month of Magic—join us for a spellbinding October!
A two-act evening of improvised spells, scenes, and songs—conjured live on stage from your suggestions, by some of our most experienced players and their magical guests.
After warming up with some games and scenes, our two Ahmed’s take to the stage for our first ever bilingual Improv format! Arabic and non-Arabic speakers alike will be tickled by the improvised antics of this charming duo.
Join us for a night of mischief, mayhem, and laughter that even a cheering charm couldn’t top. Come chase away those Monday blues… wizarding-style!
This Monday we are joined by international guest performer & instructor Andrew Gentilli from the UK!

★★★★★

‘The best way to spend your Monday night in Dubai! Definitely highly recommended. Warning: Sore cheeks and abdominal cramps might occur. I love feeling the passion of the talented crew. Very warm, welcoming and super funny.’ – Hanan Karim