Improv Comedy Club, Shows, Classes and Workshops. Website designed by Steve Roe © Hoopla Improv 2012. Sitemap
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Hoopla Impro Newsletter
Hoopla offer one of the most fun places to learn and play with improv in the UK.
We create a friendly, fun, sociable and supportive atmosphere in all our improv classes where people are free to play and be themselves.
All of our improv comedy classes are based at The Rag Factory, 16-18 Heneage Street, Off Brick Lane, London, E1 5LJ, near Liverpool Street and Aldgate East.
We offer Beginners Improv Classes, Scenes Improv Classes, Character Improv Classes, Narrative Improv Classes and Improv for Stand Up Classes. We also run longer improv courses.
We create a friendly, fun, sociable and supportive atmosphere in all our improv classes where people are free to play and be themselves.
All of our improv comedy classes are based at The Rag Factory, 16-
We offer Beginners Improv Classes, Scenes Improv Classes, Character Improv Classes, Narrative Improv Classes and Improv for Stand Up Classes. We also run longer improv courses.
Improv Comedy Classes
In 2012 Hoopla’s Improv Comedy Club was recommended as the best place to see improvised comedy in London by both The Daily Telegraph AND The Londonist.
“If improvisation floats your boat you should head to The Miller by London Bridge for Hoopla. There’s fewer better ways to see what spur-of-the-moment comedy London has to offer.”
Londonist
“This contemporary off-the-cuff comedy will make you laugh your heart out!”
Three Weeks
“Lively, sharp, superior improvised
fun!” Remote Goat
“A Comedy Masterclass.” The Post
“A quick paced, inventive and witty show.” Edinburgh Guide
“If improvisation floats your boat you should head to The Miller by London Bridge for Hoopla. There’s fewer better ways to see what spur-
“This contemporary off-
Three Weeks
“Lively, sharp, superior improvised
fun!” Remote Goat
“A Comedy Masterclass.” The Post
“A quick paced, inventive and witty show.” Edinburgh Guide
Fringe Guru
Remote Goat
Edinburgh Guide
Our Improv Classes
Our classes are incredibly fun, sociable and enjoyable. We create a really safe, trusting, supportive and playful atmosphere and there is a lot of laughter in the room!
Our Beginners Improv Class is a fun and friendly one day introduction to improv. No experience of improv, comedy or acting needed whatsoever. Open to everyone.
Our Scenes Scenes Scenes Improv Class is an intensive two day full weekend class for experienced improvisers to get more practice improvising scenes. Focussing on scenework, staging and game of the scene.
Our Character Improv Class is an intensive one day class on improvising commedic characters.
Our Narrative Improv Class is an intense two day class on improvising stories.
Our Improv for Stand Up Class is an intensive two day full weekend class on improvising solo in front of an audience and with the audience.
We also do a UK Improv Tour and Europe Improv Tour where we tour classes outside of London.
We also have occasional Guest Improv Teachers visiting from across the globe.
Our Beginners Improv Class is a fun and friendly one day introduction to improv. No experience of improv, comedy or acting needed whatsoever. Open to everyone.
Our Scenes Scenes Scenes Improv Class is an intensive two day full weekend class for experienced improvisers to get more practice improvising scenes. Focussing on scenework, staging and game of the scene.
Our Character Improv Class is an intensive one day class on improvising commedic characters.
Our Narrative Improv Class is an intense two day class on improvising stories.
Our Improv for Stand Up Class is an intensive two day full weekend class on improvising solo in front of an audience and with the audience.
We also do a UK Improv Tour and Europe Improv Tour where we tour classes outside of London.
We also have occasional Guest Improv Teachers visiting from across the globe.
Steve Roe is the co-founder of Hoopla and has been teaching improv for over eight years. He teaches improvisation full-time five days a week in London, and tours around the UK and Europe. He has experience of teaching beginners, experienced improvisers, stand up comics, drama school students and professional actors. Steve creates a friendly, fun and supportive atmosphere in workshops where people are free to play and be themselves.
He has also taught improvisation to students at Imperial College London, and various Colleges, Secondary Schools and Primary Schools. Steve has also taught improvisation to corporate clients including Apple, ITV, EF Tours, Teva, The Eleven, Unum and Ignite.
He has also taught improvisation to students at Imperial College London, and various Colleges, Secondary Schools and Primary Schools. Steve has also taught improvisation to corporate clients including Apple, ITV, EF Tours, Teva, The Eleven, Unum and Ignite.
Main Teacher: Steve Roe from Hoopla
Suitable for Everyone
Our classes are open to all. Our improv classes are suitable for everyone from beginners to experienced improvisers.
We’ve worked with total beginners, experienced improvisers, drama school students, stand-ups and professional actors.
We get people from all backgrounds as it's a great place to relax outside of work and do all the fun bits of drama and impro without the commitment of regular rehearsals or learning lines. Our classes are a great introduction to the world of impro, comedy and drama.
You don’t need any drama, acting, comedy or impro experience whatsoever. You don’t have to be clever, fast or funny.
We’ve worked with total beginners, experienced improvisers, drama school students, stand-
We get people from all backgrounds as it's a great place to relax outside of work and do all the fun bits of drama and impro without the commitment of regular rehearsals or learning lines. Our classes are a great introduction to the world of impro, comedy and drama.
You don’t need any drama, acting, comedy or impro experience whatsoever. You don’t have to be clever, fast or funny.
Topics
Topics vary from class to class, including:
- Beginners Improv.
- Core Improv Skills.
- Listening and Awareness.
- Yes And & Yes Let’s.
- Spontaneity.
- Confidence and Commitment on Stage.
- Presence, Being in the Moment.
- Platform, Character, Relationship, Location.
- Being Obvious.
- Games, Scenes, Long-Form and Narrative. - Character and Status.
- Commedia dell’Arte and Mask.
- Game of the Scene.
- Having fun improvising!
-
FAQs
People from Hoopla workshops have gone on to perform with loads of groups across the UK improv scene including Music Box, Arthur, Imagine If You Will, Improperly, The Maydays, Shotgun, Cannonball, RH & Friends, Grand Theft Impro, Joystick, Glitch, Red Lorry Yellow Lorry, The Inflatables, The Oxford Imps, Hoopla, Fingers on Buzzards, Fat Kitten, Friendly Fire, My Show My Rules, 8bit, The Ministry, Iron Actor, The Faux Pas, Do Not Adjust Your Stage, Fun Stuff, Curt Hatred, Improv Film Challenge, The Couch, Indoor Fireworks and loads more.
We run a Performance Improv Course and Narrative Long Form Course in order to put all our performance experience into action by training others to perform in shows.
Hoopla are passionate about supporting performers, and we are constantly connecting improvisers to groups and helping to grow the flourishing UK impro scene.
Many shows and groups have formed from people meeting at workshops, chatting together in the bar afterwards, or hanging out at The Miller.
Hoopla host regular free improv networking events to connect people together and help improvisers meet people with similar interests and possibly form new shows.
Hoopla also regularly cast and direct shows, with all details at performance opportunities.
Steve from Hoopla also programmes Tuesdays at The Miller in London Bridge. This has become the UK’s first ever improvised comedy club.
Shows produced or directed by Hoopla have received 5 star reviews from Fringe Guru, The Edinburgh Guide and Remote Goat at The Edinburgh Fringe, Brighton Fringe and various London venues.
We run a Performance Improv Course and Narrative Long Form Course in order to put all our performance experience into action by training others to perform in shows.
Hoopla are passionate about supporting performers, and we are constantly connecting improvisers to groups and helping to grow the flourishing UK impro scene.
Many shows and groups have formed from people meeting at workshops, chatting together in the bar afterwards, or hanging out at The Miller.
Hoopla host regular free improv networking events to connect people together and help improvisers meet people with similar interests and possibly form new shows.
Hoopla also regularly cast and direct shows, with all details at performance opportunities.
Steve from Hoopla also programmes Tuesdays at The Miller in London Bridge. This has become the UK’s first ever improvised comedy club.
Shows produced or directed by Hoopla have received 5 star reviews from Fringe Guru, The Edinburgh Guide and Remote Goat at The Edinburgh Fringe, Brighton Fringe and various London venues.
Hoopla - Supporting Performers
In 2010 Steve founded London’s first improvised comedy club at The Miller in London Bridge, creating a vibrant community of performers and a large repeat audience. He now books, produces and promotes improvised comedy shows every Tuesday and is currently planning a new West End venue.
In 2012 Hoopla’s Improv Comedy Club was recommended as the best place to see improvised comedy in London by both The Daily Telegraph AND The Londonist.
“If improvisation floats your boat you should head to The Miller by London Bridge every Tuesday (and Wednesday) for Hoopla. There’s fewer better ways to see what spur-of-the-moment comedy London has to offer.” - The Londonist, November 2012.
Steve has studied improv with Keith Johnstone, Patti Styles from Improv Melbourne, Shawn Kinley from Loose Moose Theatre, John Cremer from The Maydays, Kevin Tomlinson, Rob Broderick from Abandoman, The Penny Dreadfuls, Jay Rhoderick from The Upright Citizens Brigade, Fooling with Jonathan Kay and Clown with Mick Barnfather, and many others.
Steve currently performs with Music Box the Improvised Musical (5 Stars – Fringe Guru, 5 Stars – Remote Goat) and regularly hosts Hoopla’s Improv Comedy Club. He has previously performed with various other shows across the UK’s improv scene. He continues to support countless other shows that have popped up from Hoopla workshops and is influential in growing the UK’s improv scene.
>> More about us
In 2012 Hoopla’s Improv Comedy Club was recommended as the best place to see improvised comedy in London by both The Daily Telegraph AND The Londonist.
“If improvisation floats your boat you should head to The Miller by London Bridge every Tuesday (and Wednesday) for Hoopla. There’s fewer better ways to see what spur-
Steve has studied improv with Keith Johnstone, Patti Styles from Improv Melbourne, Shawn Kinley from Loose Moose Theatre, John Cremer from The Maydays, Kevin Tomlinson, Rob Broderick from Abandoman, The Penny Dreadfuls, Jay Rhoderick from The Upright Citizens Brigade, Fooling with Jonathan Kay and Clown with Mick Barnfather, and many others.
Steve currently performs with Music Box the Improvised Musical (5 Stars – Fringe Guru, 5 Stars – Remote Goat) and regularly hosts Hoopla’s Improv Comedy Club. He has previously performed with various other shows across the UK’s improv scene. He continues to support countless other shows that have popped up from Hoopla workshops and is influential in growing the UK’s improv scene.
>> More about us
Impro is based upon people being present, playful and spontaneous in the moment, listening to each other, saying yes, adding to each other’s ideas, and going for it and having some fun.
Improvisers don’t have to be individually clever, fast or funny. Impro is more about collaboratively working and playing together to build a greater whole. It’s a team game.
From these foundations improvisers work together to create exciting and captivating scenes, sketches and stories.
The improv scene in the UK is growing rapidly, with more and more shows forming each year.
>> More about improv
Improvisers don’t have to be individually clever, fast or funny. Impro is more about collaboratively working and playing together to build a greater whole. It’s a team game.
From these foundations improvisers work together to create exciting and captivating scenes, sketches and stories.
The improv scene in the UK is growing rapidly, with more and more shows forming each year.
>> More about improv
About Improv
Q. What class is best for me if I haven’t done anything before?
A. The Beginners Improv Class or the the Beginners Improv Course is the best option if you haven’t done anything before.
Q. What class is best for me if I’ve done some improv or acting before?
A. The Scenes Improv Class, Character Improv Class and Mask & Commedia dell’Arte Class are all suitable for people with previous improv or acting experience. Our Performance Improv Course and Narrative Long-Form Course would also be suitable.
Q. Should I do a course or a class?
A. If you can commit to a number of sessions it’s better to do a course, as you get to progress each week and bond together as a team and learn at a faster rate. If you want something more flexible though then the one-day and two-day classes are a good idea, as these can fit around other performing, work and play commitments.
Q. What kind of people do your classes?
A. All manner of backgrounds, all ages and all levels of performing experience depending on each class. We get everyone from never been on a stage before and doing it for the challenge or just for fun, to professional actors and comedians. Everyone’s welcome.
Q. I’ve never done any acting or comedy before, is that ok?
A. Yes, that’s definitely OK. Our Beginners Improv Class or Beginners Improv Course is really suited to people who haven’t had any experience before and you’ll be enjoying it in no time.
Q. I’m shy and quiet, is that ok?
A. Yes, that’s definitely OK and our Beginners Improv Class or Beginners Improv Course would be best. You’d be surprised how many people got involved in this kind of thing for the same reason, us included. If you’re feeling shy and quiet at one of our workshops, you can be a shy and quiet character on stage. You don’t have to be anything you don’t want to be.
Q. Who teaches the classes?
A. Steve Roe teaches all the improv classes unless described otherwise.
Q. What are the class sizes?
A. We limit the class sizes to 14 people, so that the class is small enough that you get lots of time on stage with a fun atmosphere.
Q. What do you actually do in the classes?
A. It depends on the class but in general it goes - brief chat from us, get to know you, physical warm ups, exercises and games, playing with it and putting it together to improvise lots of scenes, games and stories. There are more details on each class page.
Q. How do I get to perform?
A. Please see our Performance Improv Course, Narrative Long Form Course or Improv Performance Opportunities. We run our own Improv Comedy Club, recommended by both The Daily Telegraph and The Londonist, so we have a lot of ongoing performance opportunities and actively encourage performing improvisers. We also host regular Improv Networking Events to get improvisers meeting groups.
Q. Is it quite sociable?
A. Yes, improv is probably the most sociable hobby going. We usually stay for a drink after all our workshops, conveniently located near pubs, and The Miller is also a great place to hang out after shows. There’s a massive and rapidly growing scene to get involved in.
A. The Beginners Improv Class or the the Beginners Improv Course is the best option if you haven’t done anything before.
Q. What class is best for me if I’ve done some improv or acting before?
A. The Scenes Improv Class, Character Improv Class and Mask & Commedia dell’Arte Class are all suitable for people with previous improv or acting experience. Our Performance Improv Course and Narrative Long-
Q. Should I do a course or a class?
A. If you can commit to a number of sessions it’s better to do a course, as you get to progress each week and bond together as a team and learn at a faster rate. If you want something more flexible though then the one-
Q. What kind of people do your classes?
A. All manner of backgrounds, all ages and all levels of performing experience depending on each class. We get everyone from never been on a stage before and doing it for the challenge or just for fun, to professional actors and comedians. Everyone’s welcome.
Q. I’ve never done any acting or comedy before, is that ok?
A. Yes, that’s definitely OK. Our Beginners Improv Class or Beginners Improv Course is really suited to people who haven’t had any experience before and you’ll be enjoying it in no time.
Q. I’m shy and quiet, is that ok?
A. Yes, that’s definitely OK and our Beginners Improv Class or Beginners Improv Course would be best. You’d be surprised how many people got involved in this kind of thing for the same reason, us included. If you’re feeling shy and quiet at one of our workshops, you can be a shy and quiet character on stage. You don’t have to be anything you don’t want to be.
Q. Who teaches the classes?
A. Steve Roe teaches all the improv classes unless described otherwise.
Q. What are the class sizes?
A. We limit the class sizes to 14 people, so that the class is small enough that you get lots of time on stage with a fun atmosphere.
Q. What do you actually do in the classes?
A. It depends on the class but in general it goes -
Q. How do I get to perform?
A. Please see our Performance Improv Course, Narrative Long Form Course or Improv Performance Opportunities. We run our own Improv Comedy Club, recommended by both The Daily Telegraph and The Londonist, so we have a lot of ongoing performance opportunities and actively encourage performing improvisers. We also host regular Improv Networking Events to get improvisers meeting groups.
Q. Is it quite sociable?
A. Yes, improv is probably the most sociable hobby going. We usually stay for a drink after all our workshops, conveniently located near pubs, and The Miller is also a great place to hang out after shows. There’s a massive and rapidly growing scene to get involved in.
Saturday 7th Sept 2013. Fun and friendly one day introduction to improv. No experience necessary.
Sat 14th -
Sat 6th July 2013. Intensive one day class on improvising comedic characters. FULLY BOOKED.
Sunday 7th July 2013. Full Mask, Half Mask, Commedia dell’Arte Characters and Scenarios.
Sat 26th -
Sat 28th -
Beginners Improv Course, Performance Improv Course, Narrative Long-
UK and Europe improv tour with classes in Brussels, Edinburgh, Exeter, Cambridge and more.
