Do I need prior experience with stage combat?

No — the workshop is designed for improvisors of all levels and starts with foundational timing and safety drills.

Is there any weapons training?

No — this session focuses on unarmed stage combat and choreographed partner spots, not weapon handling.

Wear comfortable, flexible clothing and flat shoes to move freely and practice safe falls.

How can I find the meeting point?

Meeting point details aren’t listed in the summary; check your booking confirmation or use the referral link to contact the host for arrival info.

Will injuries be covered?

The instructor emphasizes safety-first mechanics and low-speed practice, but participants should disclose any injuries and avoid movements that cause pain.

Who benefits most from this workshop?

Improv actors, physical comedians, theatre students, and performers wanting reliable, scene-friendly choreography will find the class especially useful.

Missed It By That Much! Stage Combat Workshop for Improvisors in Amsterdam

[Academy] Missed It By That Much! (Stage Violence for Improvisors) is a hands-on three-hour workshop in Amsterdam, Noord-Holland, Netherlands that teaches safe, unarmed stage combat tailored for improvisors. Held Sunday, October 11th from 2–5PM, this session blends theatrical choreography with improv instincts so you can commit to a scene without risking teammates or the moment.

The class centers on practical, low-tech moves—slaps, pulls, falls, and choreographed "spots"—that read as real violence while keeping performers and audiences secure. The format is intentionally accessible: no prior stage combat experience required, and exercises scale from simple timing drills to brief partnered sequences you can slip into an improv set. Emphasis is on rhythm, intention, and comedic timing so the action supports, rather than overwhelms, the scene.

Instructor Jon van Luling brings two decades of stage experience and an unerring sense of theatrical logic. An American comedian and actor who has worked across theaters in Chicago and the U.S. East Coast, Jon’s resume includes Master Puppeteer work with Puppets in Education, choreography for Vermont Stage productions, and long-form improv at venues like iO and The Annoyance Theater. His background in puppetry and physical theater informs a practical teaching style: clear cues, safety-first mechanics, and an appetite for playful chaos that helps students experiment without fear.

What makes this workshop stand out in Amsterdam’s lively performance scene is its focus on improv-specific combat: sequences are short, repeatable, and written to enhance character beats rather than stage spectacle. That makes it equally useful for improv actors, physical comedians, theatre students, and anyone who wants to expand stagecraft skills. The session emphasizes partner communication, safe falls, and sightlines so that your hits sell onstage but don’t injure backstage.

Practical details are straightforward: bring comfortable clothes that allow movement; there’s no weapons training, and the class is suitable for performers of varied backgrounds. Because the meeting point and group-size specifics aren’t listed, participants should check booking confirmation or contact the host via the provided referral link for arrival logistics.

Expect a warm, collaborative room where play and precision share equal billing. Exercises progress deliberately: solo warm-ups, partnered timing drills, and short choreographed "spots" practiced at low speed before their comic framing. Instructors break down each action into clear beats so students internalize safety cues and eye contact patterns; those beats translate directly to better comedy and clearer stage pictures. Whether you’re a newcomer curious about physicality or an experienced improviser polishing stagecraft, the session supplies usable tools and immediate feedback. Book early; spaces can fill quickly.

About Boom Chicago

Boom Chicago is an improv theatre and comedy venue based in Amsterdam, Noord‑Holland. The company programs a wide range of live entertainment, including short-form and long-form improv shows, stand-up comedy nights, special events, and workshops through its Academy.

Boom Chicago's calendar features headline performances such as The Famous Boom Chicago Comedy Show, Improv Spectacular, Sunday Night Live, and rotating guest acts including Ed Gamble, Fábio Porchat, Laureano Márquez, and international tours like Comedy Link Up featuring Jordan Rock.

The venue offers structured training with multiple Academy levels and electives: Intro to Improv, Level 2 (The 2‑Person Scene), Level 3 (Building Character), Level 4 (Advanced Scenework and The Joy Of Short‑Form Games), and Level 5 classes focused on long‑form play and hosting. Additional Academy programming includes musical improv intensives, comedy writing electives, student shows, and public jams and community nights such as Indie Night and Sketch Comedy Night.

Special events and collaborations are part of the program lineup — examples include Magic Bingo Brunch, Boom Gone Country monthly nights, Pro Wrestling Holland Live x Boom Chicago, and themed meet-and-greets with figures like Sjaak Swart. Premier seasonal and ticketed events range from Slide Slam PowerPoint Karaoke to holiday dinner-and-comedy shows.

Located in Amsterdam, Boom Chicago presents both local community nights and international touring acts, serving audiences and students seeking live comedy, improv training, and curated entertainment in Noord‑Holland. Show dates, times, and ticket information are listed per event to help visitors plan attendance and choose performances or classes in advance online easily.