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What is improv?
It’s unscripted theatre where players create stories together on the spot. At Saigon Improv House, we use improv to practice listening, drop our guard, and rediscover simple, carefree joy.
No script!Unscripted theatre
Improv (improvisational theatre) is a form of live performance with no script, no elaborate props, and no prior planning. Performers take a single word or story prompt from the audience and create the dialogue, characters, and situations right on stage.
Because nothing is prepared in advance, the audience and performers discover what happens together second by second. Every scene happens only once and is never repeated the exact same way.
“Improv is a group of people being themselves together.”Vân Possible, on VTV7
Every scene happens only onceTraditional theatre vs. improv
Four common misconceptions
The heart of improv
“Yes, and…” means accepting and building on what’s given. When your scene partner offers an idea, no matter how quirky, you say “Yes” to welcome it instead of shutting it down. Then you add “and” with a new detail so the two of you build the story together.
Outside of class, this mindset helps you judge others less and be gentler with your own mistakes.
“Of course, ‘Yes, and…’ doesn’t mean agreeing to everything, or just nodding along to get things over with. It isn’t about being a pushover—it’s about having the courage to stay open.”Vietcetera, “Improv: The ‘Yes, and…’ philosophy in a world afraid of mistakes” (2025)
Five principles we practice together
Yes, and
Listen, accept your scene partner’s idea, and add new details (learn more about the Yes, and principle). No one’s ideas get rejected on the practice floor.
“The first lesson everyone learns in improv is usually YES AND: listen, welcome the other person’s idea, and build on it.”Vân Possible
Dare to make mistakes
Slipping up or freezing on stage isn’t a disaster—it’s raw material that opens up a new direction. Once you stop fearing being laughed at, you become much more natural and creative.
“In class, mistakes are forgiven—nobody gets mad or annoyed when I freeze up or don’t know what to say...”A Saigon Improv House student
Listen & be present
No phones for the entire 2-hour class, so you can be fully here in the moment. Only when you stop planning your reply in advance can you truly hear what your teammates need.
“Every second in improv, you’re doing both at once: speaking as confidently as if you know everything, while listening as closely as if you know nothing at all.”Saigon Improv House
Play like a kid
Adults often get exhausted from keeping their emotions in check and maintaining an image. Class is where you can let go, be silly, and laugh without worrying about being judged.
Class lets you be a kid again, play carefree, and say what’s on your mind.Saigon Improv House
Make your partner look good
Improvisers don't hog the spotlight—they make their scene partners shine. When everyone has each other's back, the whole group gets a safe space to go all out.
“Vân taught us to protect our scene partners at all costs—by joyfully embracing whatever they offer and making it our own...”A student of Vân Possible
PLAY. LAUGH. LOVE.Saigon's first improv school
Saigon Improv House teaches and performs improv for adults, kids, and companies. Our curriculum was designed by founder Vân Possible after studying improv at UCB and The Second City in the US.
It all began in December 2020, when Vân opened the first two improv classes in Saigon and filled all 32 spots in under 9 hours. On September 16, 2021, the school officially became Saigon Improv House.
Read Vân Possible's storyin under 9 hours
first 9 months
in 2024
Manila & Singapore
Six skills practiced through improv
Focus
Stay fully present in the moment without overthinking.
Creativity
Think on your feet and find fresh perspectives in unexpected situations.
Deep listening
Listen to truly understand the other person, not just waiting for your turn to speak.
Honest reactions
Drop the urge to put up a front or act, and dare to express your honest thoughts and feelings.
Effective communication
Express yourself clearly and confidently, and build on stories together with others.
Collaboration
Trust and support your teammates as you build toward a shared goal together.
From New York to Saigon
- 2019Discovering improv in New YorkVân Possible studied improv at UCB and The Second City, interning unpaid at the theater in exchange for class hours.
- 12/2020First two classes in Saigon32 students signed up, filling every spot in under 9 hours.
- 5/2021Going on Zoom during lockdownOnline classes connected students across Vietnam and abroad, plus free online play sessions for kids.
- 9/2021Officially Saigon Improv HouseAfter 9 months, 5 cohorts, and nearly 200 students.
- 2022Intensive classes and Hanoi showOne-week Level 1 Intensive; The Reunion night; English show in Hanoi.
- 9/2023Manila Improv FestivalAn 8-member team represented Vietnamese improv for the first time in the Philippines.
- 2024Our own studio in District 1, Singapore festivalA 12-member team performed “Singderella” in Singapore; wrapped up the year with 102 events.
- 2025New formats, international guests“ĐÁM” show, guest instructors from South Korea and New York, and a charity show donating proceeds to flood relief.
- 9/2026Heading to Central VietnamAfter 6 years in Saigon, our first workshops in Hue and Da Nang.
The people on stage
Our core House Team and the Advanced Improv Project are made up of students who have completed the full curriculum. They perform in Vietnamese and English, experiment with new formats like “ĐÁM”, and represent Saigon Improv House at international festivals.
Laurette Paix
Over 20 years of improv. Performed “GO!”, “The Trails”, and “The Sisters Duo” with Vân Possible.
Rick Andrews
Intensive workshop and the “Improv & The City” show (2025).
Alfred Chow
English workshop and two nights of “Everyone Has Secrets…” (2026).
Hellena Jang
4 workshops and the duo show “Kimchi & Củ Kiệu” with Vân Possible (2025).
Matt Folliott
The Second City National Touring Company, guest performer at our first English show (2023).
Diana Liu
“Utopias & Dystopia” workshop and an English show in October 2026.
Julieta Zarza
Her “The Tray” format inspired our Improv Movement class.
SML
Three improvisers from Chicago, the “Soft Hearts” Jam night, and a storytelling show (2025).
Spreading kindness together
From the very first Zoom sessions, Vân Possible used improv to raise funds helping people in Cà Mau fight drought and saltwater intrusion. During the 2021 lockdown, Saigon Improv House hosted 7 free online play sessions for kids aged 6–13 and raised funds for Lotus Charity Fund (Quỹ Bông Sen), Help A Teacher, and From Saigon to Saigon.
In 2024 and 2025, we contributed life jackets, food, and all organizer proceeds from two shows, “Tụi Mình” and “Together”, to support communities hit by floods.
Saigon Improv House in the press
Ready to step into an improv class?
No script or acting experience needed. Just bring yourself and come play.