Chris Grimes

Chris is a trained actor, drama & voice teacher, and comedy improvisation performer with a passion for helping leaders project themselves with energy, clarity and authenticity. Highly sought after by corporate clients around the world as a communications skills consultant and personal impact coach, Chris is also the Artistic Director of the highly acclaimed comedy improvisation company “Instant Wit”.

MORE ABOUT CHRIS

Chris is a graduate both of the Central School of Speech & Drama in London and of the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School. He is passionate about story telling and comedic improvisation, and frequently runs comedy improvisation masterclasses to explore how the underlying techniques and mindset can transform communication, unlock creativity and galvanise fresh levels of collaboration.

ALL TIME COMIC HERO?

Stan Laurel! He was the first comic actor and ‘vaudevillian’ that really made me laugh. I was 7 years old and living in Uganda at the time – and I’ve been grateful to him for the positive influence that he brings ever since. He reminds me to keep it funny and engaging – to keep it clear and accessible – and above all else, to keep it kind, underpinned by generosity, humility and warmth.

TWO EARS AND ONE MOUTH?

Yes, absolutely. Some people behave the other way around! Comedy improvisation has helped me to develop an acute listening ability, which translates directly into my work as a coach. In a comedy show context, for example with “Instant Wit“, I listen intently to the other performers around me, as we shape and build together a completely improvised show. We base this entirely on audience suggestions and work together using a ‘positive build’ technique based on “Yes, and…” rather than, “No, but…” So, lots of listening and positivity with encouraging ‘hand-offs’ to one another. Teamwork: happy, high energy, creative teamwork.

FAVOURITE INDOOR AND OUTDOOR SPACES

Indoors you’ll always find me in 1 of 3 places: under a duvet, in front of the cooker making my own hand-made pizzas (with lots of chaos and extra chilli), or behind a ping pong table. Sleep, eat, ping pong, repeat!

Outdoors its Daymar Bay, by the seascapes of the Camel Estuary in the big skies of Cornwall.

FAVOURITE COFFEE SHOP

Hart’s Bakery, under the arches at Bristol Temple Meads station. Big long tables inside the bakery itself, and cakes and pastries to die for! The aroma! The communal atmosphere! The cinammon buns!

WHAT IS THE BISH-BASH-BOSH OF WHAT YOU DO?

I help people communicate better. And I make people laugh 🙂

“Chris helped me with a really tricky people problem. He showed me how to see it from a different angle and we practiced what I needed to say to make myself heard. Made all the difference.”

A Leadership Trek client