Longform Course: The Flat by Matthijs Meulblok

#### Level: Advanced

What really happens behind closed doors?

The Flat is an advanced long-form improv course inspired by Rear Window and the quiet drama of everyday lives lived side by side. Set in a shared apartment building, this format invites you to explore the unseen worlds of neighbours who observe each other from a distance, collide unexpectedly, and slowly reveal who they really are.

Across the course, you and your fellow players will build a living, breathing building filled with recognisable characters and intertwined storylines. Windows become frames. Hallways become crossroads. Small details grow into big consequences. Together, you will create a fully improvised performance of forty minutes or more that feels coherent, cinematic, and emotionally grounded.

Is there romance blossoming across balconies? A secret criminal operation hidden behind tidy curtains? Or simply a lonely man whose strongest relationship is with his cat? The Flat thrives on contrast, tension, and quiet observation, allowing humour and drama to sit side by side. The audience becomes a voyeur, peeking into private lives and watching stories unfold over time.

This course focuses on long-form improvisation as collective storytelling. You will work on sustaining narrative over a longer arc, making bold but consistent character choices, and trusting the ensemble to carry the story together. Editing is treated as a creative tool rather than an interruption, helping scenes flow smoothly and keeping the audience oriented and engaged.

Throughout the course, you will deepen your understanding of longform structure and develop the patience and confidence required to let stories emerge naturally. You will practise playing multiple scenes on stage, supporting parallel storylines, and staying true to your characters as they evolve. The emphasis is on emotional truth, recognisability, and commitment, allowing scenes to resonate long after the laugh has faded.
This is a course for players who enjoy subtlety as much as spectacle, and who want to challenge themselves to create something layered, restrained, and powerful.

#### Who this course is for

This course is intended for experienced improvisers who want to deepen their longform work. You should have completed at least four improv courses or have a solid foundation in character building, story spine, and editing. You are comfortable on stage, curious about narrative structure, and ready to invest in slower, more detailed scene work. This course is not suitable for beginners.

The Flat has previously been directed and taught by Matthijs and performed by groups such as Pure Chocolade at the Impro XL Longform Festival in Hoorn, and Liever Veul Bloemen in Wageningen.

#### About the teacher

Matthijs Meulblok studied Media Studies at Utrecht University and runs his own podcast studio at Wolvenplein, where he records podcasts and voice overs and coaches people in voice acting, podcasting, and media performance.

He has performed with multiple improv groups in different countries, trains a variety of ensembles, and regularly teaches specialised workshops. Since 2025, he has also been exploring stand-up comedy as part of his own performance practice. Matthijs is known for creating thoughtful, thematic lessons and for developing innovative formats in both short-form and long-form improvisation. His teaching combines clarity, creativity, and a strong sense of narrative play.

#### Course details

Location: ZIMIHC Wittevrouwen
Bouwstraat 55, Utrecht
Schedule: Mondays 20:00 to 22:00
Nine sessions in total, consisting of eight lessons and one show

##### Dates

19 January
26 January
2 February
9 February
23 February
No lesson during the school holiday unless agreed otherwise with the group
2 March
9 March
16 March
Show date to be confirmed
Price: €240 including 21 percent VAT
Group size: Minimum of seven participants, maximum of ten

Improv Utrecht offers one funded place per course with a twenty percent discount for people with limited financial means. You can contact Marieke van Laar to discuss this option.

Tickets are available via improv-utrecht.weticket.io