Ferran Luengo
Playing Back an Improvised Life
Explore my weekly newsletter and fortnightly podcast on Playback Theatre, improv, and other things that allow us to express ourselves →
Explore my weekly newsletter and fortnightly podcast on Playback Theatre, improv, and other things that allow us to express ourselves →
I am a multidisciplinary performer and applied theatre practitioner with over two decades of experience spanning stage acting, improv, Playback Theatre, and storytelling. Driven by a love of continuous learning, I have travelled extensively to train and perform across Europe, North America, Africa, and Asia.
My journey began at 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 international 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 enthusiast, I am constantly working on my vocal technique, complemented by two years of formal training in voiceover.
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 recent 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 relocating to London, where I perform with musical and long-form troupes including Acaprov, Not GCSE Drama, and Shuffle.
In 2013 I discovered Playback Theatre, leading me to specialize in the form and become an accredited trainer. I use this art form as a vehicle for social awareness and community building. Starting as a co-founding member of Teatro Playback Inestable in València, Spain, I quickly connected with communities across the country and internationally. Today, I perform in London with True Heart Theatre and London Playback, portraying real-life stories on the spot to foster connection and empathy.
Alongside Playback Theatre, I work closely with companies dedicated to pedagogical theatre through the art of interactive storytelling. I perform regularly with Freshwater Theatre Company, delivering sessions in dozens of primary and secondary schools across London and beyond since 2023.
Trained by leading voiceover professionals in València, Spain, I have experience recording for commercial advertising and educational media. Watch and listen to a sample of my voiceover work below:
Holding a Postgraduate in Theatre in Education and an MA in Applied Theatre, I have dedicated my career to sharing the transformative power of theatre in every possible setting. Having facilitated across Spain, Portugal, the UK, Ireland, Germany, Bulgaria, Georgia, China, Japan, the United States, Hungary, and South Africa, my workshops are proven, adaptable, and ready for your ensemble, school, or community.
Playback Theatre: As a trainer accredited by the Centre for Playback Theatre with over a decade of experience, I facilitate sessions built on a conductor, music, actors, and real-life stories shared by participants—honouring every teller across education, corporate, mental health, and community spaces.
Improvisation & Applied Theatre: Shaped by twenty years of international play and training at Chicago's Annoyance Theatre, my improv facilitation focuses on grounded, truthful relationships, social awareness, and joyful humour. My Applied Theatre sessions activate collective creation and language learning to make a tangible community impact.
Select a category below to filter my training modules, intensives, and troupe coaching sessions:
Foundational training in ritual, short forms, active listening, and improvising from real personal stories for social change.
Deepen ensemble structure, narrative arc, and theatricality when honouring complex, full-length teller stories.
Learn vocal harmony, rhythm, and spontaneous song building as emotional tools to elevate Playback Theatre performances thorugh original forms.
Bespoke diagnostics, conducting mentorship, and artistic coaching tailored to the needs of established or emerging troupes.
A welcoming, supportive introduction to spontaneity, agreement, and building scenes together from scratch.
Blend grounded emotional truth with heightened, poetic stage worlds where the extraordinary meets everyday life.
Bridge comedic/dramatic improv with deep attunement to create inclusive, resonant, and socially conscious stage work.
Learn the mechanics, theatricality, rules, and high-energy play of the classic competitive Impro Match format.
Physicality, stage picture, bold character choices, and fearless dramatic presence in unscripted performance.
Dedicated improvisation workshops and ensemble coaching delivered natively in Spanish or Catalan.
Practical methodologies for devising original, participant-led theatre that amplifies local voices and community stories.
Overcome speaking anxiety and unlock conversational fluency through playful, low-stakes theatrical games.
Interactive drama strategies and storytelling tools for teachers, facilitators, and educational settings.
Interested in a quote, festival booking, or custom training package? Get in touch with me directly →
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 training with a wide range of international practitioners, including intensive studies at The Annoyance Theatre in Chicago. In Spain, I served on 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—if you have a moment, you can get to know me even better by listening to this in-depth conversation on the Improvly Speaking podcast:
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 recharge and make sense of 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.
Whether you're looking to book a Playback Theatre or improv workshop, collaborate on an educational or stage production, or simply say hello, here are the best ways to reach me:
Click here to check out my weekly newsletter and fortnightly podcast. Join me to reflect on improv, Playback Theatre, applied theatre, and the geeky things that bring me joy →