Gen V is the coming together of two improvisers from Australia and New Zealand- Lindsay Drummond and Ben Zolno. The duo has officially been a duo for over 6 months (as of July 2024) rehearsing every week online. Both Lindsay and Ben have worked together 'in real life' (IRL) in ensembles whilst Ben was in Brisbane but their geographical distance made them need to practice their form online.
Ben is an Improv teacher and performer in New Zealand with his own school Improv Connection in Wellington and has coached several ensembles and performed live in many theatres all around the world. Ben has also featured at improv festivals worldwide.
Lindsay is the owner of Improv Hub- Australia's only online improv school. Lindsay was teaching IRL but pivoted online during the pandemic and has been going from strength to strength with it. She is very passionate about online improv as a great way to connect with international improvisers and hone and share the craft of improv. Lindsay has also been asked to teach at the Brisbane Improv Festival IRL 3 years in a row.
From when they started working together Ben and Lindsay shared a similar sense of humour (a love of the absurd) but equally a love of a more grounded slow burn improv approach. Both are dynamic animated performers who love playing characters who are ultimately flawed in some way. They are very interested in themes and metaphor and finding interesting relationships in scenes and shows whilst still appreciating the game of the scene.
Ben started his improv journey at Second City and Lindsay through Impromafia in Brisbane (a Keith Johnstone style school). Ben and Lindsay are currently experimenting with and perfecting their version of an improvised Deconstruction.
Creating improvised shows featuring grounded deconstruction, leading to feverish and absurd twists.
BEN ZOLNO
Ben has over 20 years of improv experience, starting with training at The Second City and UCB, as well as training and performing at Improv Olympic (now iO). He now performs in Wellington with long form improv duo Doom & Bloom, and short form group The Improvisors. He's hosted workshops at both the NZ Improv Festival and Brisbane Improv Festival. He has performed or directed for Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Jemaine Clement, Ben Stiller, the late great Fred Willard, Charna Helpurn, Armando Diaz, Rebecca Languth, Mike O'Brien (SNL), Peter Gwinn (Colbert Report), John Lutz (30 Rock), Benjamin Bratt, and studied or performed under dozens of legendary talents.
Ben's passion lies in discovering the hidden genius of each player, and watching their magic journeys unfold, for both players and audiences alike.
LINDSAY DRUMMOND
Lindsay is a self confessed 'Improv evangelist' and truly believes if everyone in the world did just one Improv class, the world (maybe even the universe) would be a better place!
Founder of Improv Hub, Lindsay was one of the first in the world to start teaching improv online. As a pioneer of online improv Lindsay teaches games, tools and exercises especially for an online environment. Lindsay teaches a unique selection of ‘in real life’ classes at theatres and festivals locally and overseas. She has a dynamic and fun approach to facilitating improv and students always appreciate her warm and genuine presence.
Lindsay has a Bachelor of Social Science (Behavioural Studies), a Graduate Certificate in Creative and Professional Practice and is a Master Practitioner of NLP. Lindsay has also been a professional musician and entertainer for over 20 years.
Lindsay has trained in Improv with some of the best and most prominent improvisers in the world such as Jill Bernard, David Razowsky, Patti Stiles, Heather Uquart, Joe Bill, Carlo Richie, Liz Peters, Stephen Thornton, Armando Diaz and Andrew Eninger.
Lindsay is also the creator of 'Drummond and Friend', a popular online YouTube show where she improvises scenes with other great improvisers from all around the world.