Ferran Luengo

Nice to meet you! I'm Ferran. I am a Spanish actor, improviser, storyteller, and applied theatre facilitator based in London. Since transitioning from scripted theatre to improvisation in 2006, I have remained a constant presence in the scene. My practice is inspired by my training with a wide range of international practitioners, including intensive studies at The Annoyance Theatre in Chicago. In Spain, I was part of the organising committee of the Quart de Poblet improv league and co-founded the English-speaking group, Valencia Improv Playground. Now based in London, I perform with the a cappella musical improv troupe Acaprov, as well as Not GCSE Drama and Shuffle.

I am deeply passionate about Playback Theatre, a community-oriented art form I have practised since 2013. As an accredited trainer through The Centre for Playback Theatre (USA), I have delivered workshops across several continents, and I perform and facilitate regularly with London Playback and True Heart Theatre. As an applied theatre specialist, I am committed to Theatre in Education (TiE), having facilitated workshops and performed in over a hundred schools and colleges throughout London and the surrounding areas.

That’s me in a nutshell professionally, but if you have a moment, you can get to know me better by listening to this interview on the Improvly Speaking podcast.

About me personally

Hi, I'm Ferran, and I’m doing my best to navigate life with autism with the help of my partner and my adorable cats. I have a few things that help me cope with the world, like getting lost in different universes through gaming, reading, and watching horror, sci-fi, or fantasy films. I could easily spend hours talking about all that geeky stuff.

To give you a better idea who I am…

• Music.love alternative Spanish music (anything on the Elefant Records label), but the bands that truly shaped me were Pulp, Weezer, and The Smiths—it’s just a shame Morrissey turned into an old man yelling at clouds! Currently, I’m really enjoying Billie Eilish and Chappell Roan.
• Movies. Horror is my comfort genre, with The Shining being my personal favourite. Of course, I don’t settle for just one genre when it comes to good storytelling. However, a movie and musical that really helps you get to know me is The Rocky Horror Picture Show. You can always check my Letterboxd profile.
• Books. I grew up reading Stephen King and classic sci-fi by authors such as Arthur C. Clarke. I was eventually introduced to J.R.R. Tolkien and became completely lost in the lore of Middle-earth. There were also a lot of comic books. As an adult, I still lean towards 'geeky' literature, though I enjoy exploring most genres. Oh, and I tend to read a lot of threatre. If your curious about my reads, here's my Hardcover App profile.
• Games. I mostly play narrative single player experiences. Some titles I keep returning to are Bioshock, Assassin's Creed II, The Last of Us and The Elder Scrolls: Skyrim. I'm quite eclectic and not tied to a particular platform. You can check my activity on Backloggd or my Steam profile.

I am a multidisciplinary performer and applied theatre practitioner with over two decades of experience spanning stage acting, improv, Playback Theatre and storytelling. I've always been quite keen in learning, and I've travelled a lot with that purpose, having trained and performed across Europe, North America, Africa and Asia.

Artistic Foundation & Training

My journey began in university, where I fell in love with theatre, and evolved into a deep academic pursuit, including a Master’s Degree in Applied Theatre and a Postgraduate degree in Theatre in Education. I have sought out world-class training to sharpen my craft, from physical theatre and Commedia dell'Arte to specialized intensives at The Annoyance Theatre in Chicago. As a musical theatre lover, I love to sing so I´m constantly working on my vocal technique, added to two years of formal training in voice over.

Stage & Improv Performance

Between 2002 and 2018, I performed in over 20 professional productions in Spain, working in both Spanish and Catalan under directors such as Joan Comes, Cesca Salazar, Pep Sanchis, Eva Zapico and Paco Zarzoso. In the last years, I have fully immersed myself in the improv scene. I co-founded the Valencia Improv Playground in 2019 to establish English-language improv in the city before moving to London, where I am currently active in the UK, performing with musical and long-form troupes like Acaprov and Not GCSE Drama, and Shuffle in London.

Playback Theatre

In 2013 I discovered Playback Theatre, and that led me to specialize on it, becoming an accredited trainer. I’ve been using this artform as a tool for social awareness and community building. I started as a co-founding member of Teatro Playback Inestable in València, Spain, and quickly I reached out to other communities within the country and beyond. Nowadays, I perform with London-based companies True Heart Theatre and London Playback, where we portray real stories to foster connection, and empathy.

Applied Theatre & Storytelling

Although Playback Theatre is my main tool, I work closely with theatre companies focused on a pedagogical approach to theatre through the art of storytelling. I perform regularly with Freshwater Theatre Company, having performed in dozens of schools across London and beyond since 2023.

Holding a Postgraduate in Theatre in Education and an MA in Applied Theatre, I have dedicated my career to sharing the joy of theatre in every possible setting. I’ve already facilitated hundreds of hours and am well on my way to thousands. My experience with diverse groups means that the workshops listed below are proven, adaptable, and ready for your community.

Playback Theatre Workshops

Playback Theatre is a prominent form of applied theatre and my primary tool. Every session relies on a few key ingredients: a conductor, music, actors, and the real-life stories shared by the audience. Typically tailored to specific social collectives, these sessions involve improvising from the stories told, always treating them with deep respect and striving to honour the teller.

As a trainer accredited by the Centre for Playback Theatre, and with over a decade of experience, I have practised Playback Theatre across diverse environments, including education, corporate settings, mental health services, and various community groups.

From Europe and Asia to North America and Africa, I’ve facilitated Playback Theatre practitioners across the world. There are many countries where I’ve had the pleasure of working with both new and experienced performers.

Currently these are the workshops on my portfolio

• LEVEL 1 – Core training. Introduction to Playback Theatre.
• LEVEL 2 – Embracing long-form stories. (12 Hours Intensive)
• LEVEL 2 – Music and song to honour stories. (12 Hours Intensive)
• Targeted coaching for Playback Theatre companies. (All Levels)

Improv Workshops

With a career in improvisation spanning twenty years and tapping several countries, I have facilitated at international festivals and gatherings. My training with so many professionals, including an itensive at The Annoyance Theatre in Chicago, deeply shaped my approach towards grounded, truthful play. My style focus on the nuance of on-stage relationships, using social awareness as a tool to create performances that are as inclusive as they are compelling. And, of course, leaving room for humour.

Maybe one, or some, of these workshop might proof helpul to you

• Improv Basics: Yes, and… what? (Novice)
• Perspective and Magical Realism. (Intermediate)
• Improv for social awerenss: a Playback Theatre approach. (Intermediate)
• Introduction to Impro Match. (Intermediate)
• Empty Space, Immediate Theatre. (Advanced)
• Improvisación en Español. (All levels)
• Improvisació en Català. (All levels)
• Targeted coaching for improvisers. (All levels)

Applied Theatre Workshops

In response to growing global social and economic pressures, there is an increasing movement toward community-focused applied theatre. My workshops are designed to activate the social role of theatre, addressing the urgent demand for projects that create a meaningful impact within our communities.

These are some of the tools that I can provide for that purpose

• Collective Creation in Community Spaces
• El Workshoppo: Improv for language learning.
• Theatre in Education. Meaningful learning, learning meaning fun.

If you are interested in a quote or want more information, feel free to contact me.

Playback Theatre is one of the many forms of applied theatre and my main tool. There are many ingredients for a Playback Theatre session: a conductor, music, actors… and real stories brought up from the audience. Those sessions typically are oriented to a specific social collective. We work and improvise from the stories, always treating them with respect and trying to honour the teller.

With over a decade of experience, I’ve worked with Playback Theatre. in several environments. Education, corporate, mental health and different types of communities. I’ve facilitated both new and experienced Playback Theatre practitioners around the world. Spain, Portugal, England, Northern Ireland, Japan, United States, Hungary, and South Africa are some of the countries I’ve had the pleasure to facilitate in.

• LEVEL 1 – Improv for social change: Introduction to Playback Theatre.
• LEVEL 2 – Embracing long-form stories. (12 hours intensive)
• LEVEL 2 – Acaplayback: The music within. (3-6 hours intensive)

Ways to reach out to me

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In this newsletter, I’ll bring you updates on actual and future projects. I'll invite you to reflect with me on improv, Playback Theatre, applied theatre, other kinds of theatre and more. Plus, a dose of the geeky things that bring me joy.