Welcome to

ImproCOG

Comedy-powered cognition

ImproCOG

Content

ImproCOG
Services

Workshops

ImproCOG

Story

ImproCOG content

ImproCOG workshops utilise improvised performance games (comedy, drama, music, storytelling) to teach about cognition, divergent thinking and the cognitive verbs embedded in primary-secondary school curriculums.

ImproCOG also focusses on Applied Improvisation techniques which can be utilised in other contexts such as role play simulation in medical, allied health, teaching and other undergraduate degrees.

ImproCOG content supports graduate capabilities such as collaboration, innovation, communication, empathy and creativity.

ImproCOG training model

ImproCOG workshops are generally co-designed with academics, teachers, residential college directors, student leaders and student societies to achieve customised outcomes for specific cohorts.

ImproCOG training can be undertaken before starting with simulation environment learning (such as role play simulation, OSCE exams or viva voce assessment), or after initial experiences with simulated learning environments.

Learning outcomes differ based on variables such as age of students, amount of simulation experience, English language proficiency, group dynamics, current level of engagement and/or confidence within the group.

ImproCOG services

ImproCOG offers bespoke and tailored educational services including:

Workshops for university academics and students
Workshops for primary/secondary students
Workshops for on-campus college students and uni' residential living
Professional development workshops for primary/secondary teachers
Workshops with Arts/Drama focus for performing arts students
Communication/empathy/collaboration training for corporate groups

Workshop prices are available on request.

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Why ImproCOG?

ImproCOG training is needed in today's educational and corporate landscape for a number of reasons incuding:

To address the decline of soft skills (communication, collaboration, creativity etc) amongst younger generations
To build personal relationship networks and social capital which were diminshed during Covid distancing and remote learning/working
To stop the disconnect from person-to-person narrative storytelling by building empathy, personal agency and collaborative understanding
To provide an environment for authentic human creativity during the rise of AI
To show the positive benefits of humour in a climate of anxiety and stress

There are a number of potentially negative mega-trends in post-Covid working & learning environments. ImproCOG seeks to provide outcomes which push back towards the positive.

ImproCOG resources

ImproCOG resources include a range of training games and exercises including:

Games with yes...and. The use of yes...and is fundamental to improvising; ImproCOG uses a range of activities to build an understanding of the collaborative power of this philosophy.
Using The Narrative Generator - this is a hybrid combination of several improvising games developed by ImproCOG and played in pairs, focussing on active listening and personal narrative.
The importance of back story. ImproCOG training has a number of activities to develop back story and given circumstances which also align to applied improvisation setting resources such as medical case files, commercial product timelines and legal disputes.

ImproCOG links and publications

More ImproCOG content can be found on these links :

ADEM_No21_2025 article : Improvised drama and health education – building a role play tool kit for Australian university students
Video : Improvising and Drama skills for primary age students

Hannah L.

Student leader

OT Assoc. Uni' of Qld

“This workshop was an invaluable experience for Undergraduate and Master's Occupational Therapy students, exploring highly relevant practical improv techniques to build confidence and foundational communication skills in preparation for VIVAs, simulations, and clinical placements. Tailored feedback from Alastair further supported students' development of core OT skills in an incredibly supportive and engaging environment. ."

Lynn Martin

President 2026

Communication, Speech & Performance Teachers Inc

"Recently Alastair presented a workshop to 23 members of the Communication, Speech and Performance Teachers Inc. This was a fabulous workshop where Alastair shared a wealth of practical ideas and techniques for teaching mime and improvisation. Throughout the day there were plenty of opportunities to work in pairs and small groups, with lots of laughter, participation and shared learning. It was one of those workshops where everyone left with new ideas and renewed enthusiasm. The response from attendees was overwhelmingly positive, so much so that we've already invited Alastair to present another workshop for us in 2027"

Workshops/BLOG

ImproCOG content has been presented in workshops to students and educators in Australia and internationally since 2012. Workshops include UNSW gifted and talented program, Drama Australia and Drama Queensland conferences, Qld Gifted & Talented Association conferences, Lutheran Education teacher PD, and ACU Allied Health Care Simulation conferences.

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Divergent vs convergent responses in conversations

During this week's SPHY310 workshop with 3rd year speech pathology students the central discussions were around difficult communication scenarios. One student shared some of her personal experience - she was aware that she would try and search for "the perfect response" during simulation role play and also when on placement. This is an almost impossible task, especially when improvising a conversation. It also takes more time to generate a response because the brain is creati

ImproCOG story

ImproCOG is an Australian company speciailising in educational services based on applied improvisation. It is the passion project and brainchild of ImproCOG Director Alastair Tomkins, a performing artist and Arts educator based in Brisbane, Australia.

Alastair has been an improvising performer in Australia and overseas since the early 1990's, and has been involved in Arts Education focussing on improvising/Theatresports since the early 2000's.

Alastair holds a number of degrees including a Masters of Education. He is also a member of the Applied Improvisation Network, and a Fellow of Advance Higher Education.

Alastair Tomkins

B.Comm(UNSW) M.Ed(UTS) ATCL Cert.TESOL(Cambridge) FHEA