Who we are | Lightbulb Improv

About Us

You give us a spark of inspiration, we do the rest.

What we do

Since 2016, the Lightbulb Troupe has held a consistent place in Canberra’s comedy hearts. Each show we delight audiences with our unique flavour of warm, funny and surprising unscripted theatre in venues around Canberra.

We are an experienced troupe of improvisers who take our craft seriously. Our shows are inclusive, and queer and First Nations folk friendly.

OUR STORY

Lightbulb Improv was founded in 2016 by three women with a clear vision to deliver professional, playful and committed improvised theatre: Lou Maconachie, Amy Crawford and Merriden Varrall.

The Troupe

Comedy. With. Heart.

You bring the spark of ideas, we'll bring the entertainment and together we make something sublime.

We are Lightbulb Improv, a dedicated troupe who trains tirelessly to bring you playful comedy shows, completely on the spot. We explore all the shades of being human, while jumping off audience suggestions.

You can catch us around Canberra in a range of performances throughout the year. Come to our regular monthly comedy shows at Smiths Alternative, or one of our special one-off performances at the Canberra Theatre Centre. We also perform at local and international festivals.

Lou Maconachie (she/her)

Co-Founder

Lou Maconachie has been making things up in front of audiences for over a decade, and somehow, they keep asking her back.

She’s performed, taught and trained in improv all over Australia, New Zealand, and New York. From snappy comedy games to full-blown musicals made up on the spot. She has a trophy from the Canberra International Challenge (2015) to prove she knows what she’s doing (mostly). She also made it to the finals of the National Theatresports Championships (2016), which definitely still counts.

Lou is a passionate teacher who believes improv makes life better—helping people be braver, bolder, and more brilliantly themselves.

Most likely to break into song on stage.

Amy Crawford (she/her)

Co-Founder

Bio Coming Soon

Most likely to...

Chipz Jin (they/them)

For as long as they can remember, Chipz has been driven to theatre with an incredible passion for storytelling. Since 2013, they’ve devised, developed, improvised, prepared, written, produced, directed, and facilitated experiences in/with the performance arts. Their intersectional experience and intense love for the work has drawn the curtains to a brilliant range of opportunities.

Most recently, Chipz has been on stage for the Actor’s Investigation of The Chalk Pit (2025), the second instalment of Rockspeare: Henry IV Part 2 (2024), Boo! (2024) and performs regularly with Lightbulb Improv and the Rebus Playback Theatre Ensemble.

Most likely to be suspicious of Dean on stage.

Kym Starr (she/her)

Kym Starr is a trained actor, dancer, singer and musician who has been performing in Canberra and surrounds for the past 20 years. Kym has performed in a wide range of improv shows from immersive theatre in Impro ACT’s “The Office” to Lightbulb Improv’s Halloween comedy “Boo”. She has even performed in a show where all cast members were dressed head to toe in Morphsuits.

Apart from improv, another of Kym’s passions is musical theatre. One of her favourite roles was as a dancer/drag queen in Supa Productions “La Cage aux Folles” (2014).

Kym enjoys the camaraderie and spontaneity of improv theatre and loves being part of Lightbulb Improv.

Most likely to to perform interpretive dance on stage.

Luke Atchison (he/him)