Testing Grounds

TESTING GROUNDS is where improv ideas come to play. Got a new format you're dying to try? A cool concept that needs an audience? This is a laboratory – a supportive space to experiment, refine, and discover what works.

Whether you're a fresh new improv team or a group of seasoned performers testing a bold new concept, TESTING GROUNDS gives you the stage. You'll present your work to a live audience while two Improv Experts share constructive insights to help you hone your show format and improv skills. It's also a unique opportunity for the Cornershop Comedy community: successful concepts will be considered for a spot on Cornershop's Friday night line-up, making this a genuine pathway to further performance opportunities.

If you've ever wondered how the sausage of improv gets made, this is for you.

Interested in pitching? We're particularly keen to hear from producers and ensembles who train together regularly and are working toward staging their idea – whether as part of Cornershop's Friday night lineup or as an independent Festival run.