Magical Realism: Improv for Creating Everyday Magic | Matías Avaca

Step out of analysis & into imagination. A playful workshop inviting you to trust your wild-side. Transform everyday moments into adventures

When was the last time you felt infinite possibilities of the universe pumping through your veins?

Magical Realism invites you to see life differently.

Instead of analysing experiences, you learn to meet them with curiosity, imagination, and play.

Inspired by woks in the Latin American literary tradition, this workshop uses Improvisation to connect metaphors, symbolism, and imagination.

Simple creative shifts allow familiar moments, emotions, and challenges to take on new meaning. A feeling might become something you can see or hold. A memory might appear as an object.

By treating the “magical” as something natural, the workshop trains your mind to see optimism, emotional lightness, and allows for fresh perspectives to emerge in a playful environment.

You’ll leave with practical tools to use straight away that spark joy, happiness, and a renewed sense of purpose in daily life.

This workshop is a rare opportunity to work with Matías Avaca, an Argentine improviser living in New Zealand, in Sydney for one weekend only.

He is best known for creating spaces where people feel a genuine sense of belonging. His work bridges cultures and languages, offering a way into story that is thoughtful, generous, and deeply human.

This workshop is ideal for...

This workshop is designed for people who want to feel more hopeful, connected, and alive, both personally and professionally.

It’s especially suited to:

• Introverts and reflective thinkers who prefer depth, listening, and thoughtful participation
• People seek to reframe and redefine their personal stories; strengthening resilience
• Leaders, facilitators, educators, and creative practitioners
• Anyone curious about how to use metaphors and symbolism to simplify complex ideas

What you’ll take with you

Practical tools that can you can use immediately to:

• Communitate better: Use symbolism and metaphors and to simplify complex ideas
• Reframe challenges in a hopeful, creative way (reduce overthinking)
• Listen more deeply and feel more present with others
• Get more comfortable with uncertainty
• Use imagination as a practical tool for insight, communication, and problem-solving

Many people leave feeling lighter, clearer, and more optimistic, with creative renewal!

Who is Matías Avaca? 🧔‍♂️

Bridging linguistic and cultural divides with his improv style, Matías's influence spans 15+ countries, further solidifying his impact on the Improv community.

He is an Argentine improviser living in New Zealand. Matías co-founded Mabel Impro and the Auckland Improv Festival, and helps driving Laenye Productions, a platform for Spanish-speaking artists. Connect with Matías on Insta

“As an immigrant and non-native English speaker, imagination and metaphor became a way for me to stay connected to my roots while learning how to communicate across cultures. Magical realism gave me a language beyond words, one that holds complexity, emotion, and identity with care. That’s the spirit behind this workshop.”

— Matías Avaca

What students have said about this workshop...

“Matías is an excellent instructor! He held a confident and calm space for me to feel safe to explore and understand the topic. He shared clear techniques that bring magical realism to life with ease and meaning.” — NZ Improv Festival participant

“It was delightful to discover that magic can be woven into everyday storytelling while staying rooted in emotional honesty. The activities opened access to new creative possibilities far beyond comedy.” — ITS Comedy Festival participant

“This workshop strengthened my understanding of how imagination and reality already coexist.” — NZIF participant

BOOK NOW - Spots are limited!

Magical experiences unfold best in small circles. To honour the emotional depth of the work, this workshop is intentionally limited. Book now and join the circle!