Carpe DM Masterclasses & Intensive
Three workshops. One powerful training series. All levels welcome. Seize the opportunity to learn with Carpe DM (pun intended).
This February, the international unscripted theatre duo Carpe DM, David Christopher (USA) and Maria Kolovou (Greece), are coming to Reykjavík to teach three high‑impact masterclass workshops.
Their approach is simple and practical: Presence first, then the story unfolds.
If you want to strengthen your instincts, deepen your scenes, explore your character arsenal, and learn how to create a story from what’s actually happening in the moment, these workshops are for you.
TL;DR:
Workshop A: Improvised Monologues, Tuesday, February 24th, 18:30–21:30 (3 hours)
Workshop B: From Silence to Story, Thursday, February 26th, 18:30-21:30 (3 hours)
Intensive Duo Workshop C: The Alchemy of Two, Saturday, February 28th, 12:30-17:30 (5 hours)
Take all three for a major discount!
Scroll down for the details.
with David Christopher
Tuesday, February 24th, 18:30–21:30
Learn how to deliver monologues that feel real, grounded, and compelling — without planning or overthinking.
You’ll work on:
- Building characters from emotion and point of view
- Speaking truthfully instead of “performing”
- Finding structure naturally
- Ending with clarity and impact
A great workshop for anyone who wants stronger solo presence and richer characters.
with Maria Kolovou
Thursday, February 26th, 18:30–21:30
Silence is one of the strongest tools in unscripted theatre — if you know how to use it.
This workshop teaches you how to:
- Let silence drive story
- Read and shape relational tension
- Use space, stillness, and proximity
- Re‑enter moments to uncover depth and meaning
Perfect for performers who want scenes that feel grounded, patient, and emotionally alive.
with David Christopher & Maria Kolovou
Saturday, February 28th, 12:30–17:30
A duo‑focused intensive on presence, tension, and shared storytelling.
You’ll explore:
- Attunement and physical listening
- Emotional accuracy between partners
- Letting story emerge instead of forcing plot
- Working with intimacy, contrast, and shared breath
Ideal for improvisers who want to level up their duo work or explore deeper relational performance.
About David & Maria
Carpe DM is the international unscripted theatre duo of David Christopher (USA) and Maria Kolovou (Greece) — two highly experienced performers and educators with more than 40 years of combined training, teaching, and stage work.
Together, they specialize in presence-driven narrative, emergent dramaturgy, and relational performance: practical, embodied tools that help performers create honest, grounded, emotionally rich scenes without relying on tricks, templates, or fast thinking.
David Christopher
Performer • Director • International Instructor
David brings over 30 years of experience in improvisation, unscripted theatre, and sketch comedy. He has taught and performed across the US and Europe, working with leading theatres, festivals, and training centers.
His teaching is known for:
- Fast, precise scene analysis
- Clear, actionable feedback
- A focus on emotional truth and presence
- Supportive but high‑challenge learning environments
David helps performers drop cleverness, trust the moment, and build characters and stories that feel real.
Maria Kolovou
Drama‑in‑Education Practitioner • Playwright • Performer
Maria’s background spans devised theatre, dramaturgy, youth performance, and embodied pedagogy. She has created award‑winning theatre in Greece, taught internationally, and now teaches at the University of Miami.
Her strengths include:
- Fine‑tuned scene diagnosis
- Warm, focused guidance
- Deep work with silence, space, and emotional nuance
- Helping performers uncover meaning rather than invent it
Maria’s approach is grounded, attentive, and highly practical — ideal for performers who want to slow down, listen deeply, and create scenes with weight and clarity.
Registration & Payment
Fill out the application form below to secure your spot.
You’ll receive a confirmation email with payment details and location info after submitting your form.
Limited spots: make sure to seize the days with Carpe DM (pun intended)!
Payment and Discounts
Prices (based on chosen workshop):
Workshop A (Tuesday, 3 hours) = 13,000 ISK
Workshop B (Thursday, 3 hours) = 13,000 ISK
Workshop C (Saturday, 5 hours) = 16,000 ISK
Discounted price for combos:
A and B = 22,360 ISK → 14% discount
A or B and C = 24,940 ISK → 14% discount
A, B, and C = 33,600 ISK → 20% discount (save 8,400 ISK)
Optional Student Showcase
If you join any two of these workshops, you can perform in the Carpe DM Student Showcase on March 1st, a supportive, celebratory performance alongside your fellow improvisers!
Any questions?
E-mail us at improving.playfully@gmail.com and we’ll be glad to help!