Workshop & rehearsal notes, new games and exercises, impro tips and musings at our regular improv blog.
31st May 2013: Edinburgh Fringe Festival 2013 Show Recommendations.
24th May 2013: New Character Exercise: Clichéd Characters Instant Depth.
19th May 2013: Reasons why I loved last night’s Impro Jam so much.
13th May 2013: Improv is Real Life Backwards.
1st May 2013: Improv Tips.
1st May 2013: Historical Influences on Impro. Chapter 6. Future.
1st May 2013: Historical Influences on Impro. Chapter 5. Collective Joy.
1st May 2013: Historical Influences on Impro. Chapter 4. Education.
>> Hoopla Improv Blog
31st May 2013: Edinburgh Fringe Festival 2013 Show Recommendations.
24th May 2013: New Character Exercise: Clichéd Characters Instant Depth.
19th May 2013: Reasons why I loved last night’s Impro Jam so much.
13th May 2013: Improv is Real Life Backwards.
1st May 2013: Improv Tips.
1st May 2013: Historical Influences on Impro. Chapter 6. Future.
1st May 2013: Historical Influences on Impro. Chapter 5. Collective Joy.
1st May 2013: Historical Influences on Impro. Chapter 4. Education.
>> Hoopla Improv Blog
Improv Comedy Club, Shows, Classes and Workshops. Website designed by Steve Roe © Hoopla Improv 2012. Sitemap
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Hoopla Impro Newsletter
An 8 week improv course to train improvisers to performance standard, with showcase performance at the end, and ongoing support and performance mentoring after the course.
Taught by the director of our Improv Comedy Club, recently recommended as the best place to see improv in London by both The Daily Telegraph and The Londonist.
Over a course of regular weekly workshops you’ll learn how to perform a show of improvised games, scenes, stories and sketches, using a mix of scene work, short-form, and game of the scene improv techniques.
You’ll progress each week with your team of fellow improvisers, before performing in shows together at our Improv Comedy Club, and launching yourself onto the UK improv scene.
>> BOOK NOW
Taught by the director of our Improv Comedy Club, recently recommended as the best place to see improv in London by both The Daily Telegraph and The Londonist.
Over a course of regular weekly workshops you’ll learn how to perform a show of improvised games, scenes, stories and sketches, using a mix of scene work, short-
You’ll progress each week with your team of fellow improvisers, before performing in shows together at our Improv Comedy Club, and launching yourself onto the UK improv scene.
>> BOOK NOW
Performance Improv Course
Fringe Guru
Remote Goat
Reviews for Improv Shows
Produced by Hoopla:
Produced by Hoopla:
“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.” The Londonist
“A quick paced, inventive and witty show.”
The Edinburgh Guide
“Chemistry between cast meant it was like funniest night amongst friends.”Camden New Journal
“A Comedy Masterclass.” The Post
“Lively, sharp, superior improvised fun!”
Remote Goat
“A hilarious, high energy show full of great songs, clever plot twists, and weird and wonderful characters.”
Accidental Festival
“Inventive improvisation and clever comedy!” Three Weeks
“A lovely, funny and slick night of improvised comedy by a talented group.”
Earl's Court Festival
“Left me helpless with laughter”
Fringe Guru
“This contemporary off-the-cuff comedy will make you laugh your heart out!” Three Weeks
“I was really impressed by the show.” Improv America
“Poetic and contemporary, the hour of entertainment flies by.”
The New Current
“A quick paced, inventive and witty show.”
The Edinburgh Guide
“Chemistry between cast meant it was like funniest night amongst friends.”Camden New Journal
“A Comedy Masterclass.” The Post
“Lively, sharp, superior improvised fun!”
Remote Goat
“A hilarious, high energy show full of great songs, clever plot twists, and weird and wonderful characters.”
Accidental Festival
“Inventive improvisation and clever comedy!” Three Weeks
“A lovely, funny and slick night of improvised comedy by a talented group.”
Earl's Court Festival
“Left me helpless with laughter”
Fringe Guru
“This contemporary off-
“I was really impressed by the show.” Improv America
“Poetic and contemporary, the hour of entertainment flies by.”
The New Current
Next Dates:
Every Thursday, 7pm-
Price: £120. Either payable all at once or with an initial payment of £60 followed by the remaining £60 once the course starts.
Workshops Location: The Rag Factory, 16-
Tube/Train: Liverpool Street, Bank, Aldgate East or Shoreditch.
Ages: 18+
You’ll be rehearsing with the same people regularly every week, so you progress each week, getting to know each other and building up a relationship with your team-mates and the director. As a committed team you’ll be helping each other to perform in your first ever improv show.
We’ll be teaching you how to perform a show of improvised games, scenes, stories and sketches, using a mix of short-form, scene work, narrative, and game of the scene techniques.
The focus will be on performing as a team, with us teaching using our huge experience of performing, producing and directing improv and running our own venue. At each rehearsal you’ll be doing some fun warm ups, some core improv exercises, and then lots of performance style games and scenes with lots of hints and tips from us. We even supply drinks and biscuits!
We’ll be helping and encouraging you all the way to your first show.
The group size is going to be limited to 16 people - small enough that you get lots and lots of practice and stage time, but big enough that there’s still a lively atmosphere in the workshop. It’ll be fun as we get to know each other and build a team together.
We’ll be doing performances at The Miller with two shows per evening - there will be a maximum of 7 people acting in each show half so they don’t get overcrowded and you can get a large amount of stage time. Invite all your friends and family and share your love of improv.
Hoopla first taught this course back in 2009 and many of the participants went on to successfully perform with various groups including Music Box, Arthur, Hoopla, The Inflatables, Fat Kitten, Fingers on Buzzards, Shotgun and various other groups and stand-up across London’s improv scene and Edinburgh.
In addition to the classes we’ll give some further advice and have a chat to the group about future performing possibilities. We’ll be able to advise people on things like starting their own groups, places to perform, show formats, promoting, starting their own improv nights, and taking a show to Edinburgh. We’re also available on an ongoing basis after the course to help give support to performing improvisers, and have lots of performance slots at our Improv Comedy Club for teams that form from the course.
Overall we hope to give you everything you need to get out into the world of performing for yourself, and will help kick-start you into whatever you want to do.
FAQ
Q: Who is this suitable for?
A: People who’ve done some improv or acting workshops and are looking to perform in their first ever improv show.
Q: How much improv should I have done before doing this course?
A: Our beginners improv course, or a similar level of experience somewhere else in improv or acting. If you’re not sure please contact us to ask.
Q: Is there a follow on after this course?
A: Our Long Form Course would be a natural follow on. You might also be interested in our Improv Classes to focus on a specific area.
Q: What if I can’t make every week?
A: As we’re forming a team over the course to do performances at the end it’s best not to miss more than two sessions over the course. If you think you’ll miss more than two sessions over the course please wait until another time to do the course.
Q: What if I’m running late?
A: We’ll be starting each session at 7pm, but if you’re held up at work or whatnot please come along anyway, we’d rather you turned up late than miss a session.
Q: Do I have to perform in the show at the end?
A: No. The show is optional, and you’ll still get loads out of the course without doing the shows.
Q: Can I pay by instalments?
A: Yes. You can book and pay the £60 first instalment (non-refundable) and pay the remaining £60 once the course starts.
Q: What makes this different from other courses?
A: Awesome showcase performance at the end, more performance opportunities after that, ongoing support and mentoring, taught by the director of London’s leading improv comedy club with huge amounts of experience of performing, producing and directing successful shows.
>> BOOK NOW
We’ll be teaching you how to perform a show of improvised games, scenes, stories and sketches, using a mix of short-
The focus will be on performing as a team, with us teaching using our huge experience of performing, producing and directing improv and running our own venue. At each rehearsal you’ll be doing some fun warm ups, some core improv exercises, and then lots of performance style games and scenes with lots of hints and tips from us. We even supply drinks and biscuits!
We’ll be helping and encouraging you all the way to your first show.
The group size is going to be limited to 16 people -
We’ll be doing performances at The Miller with two shows per evening -
Hoopla first taught this course back in 2009 and many of the participants went on to successfully perform with various groups including Music Box, Arthur, Hoopla, The Inflatables, Fat Kitten, Fingers on Buzzards, Shotgun and various other groups and stand-
In addition to the classes we’ll give some further advice and have a chat to the group about future performing possibilities. We’ll be able to advise people on things like starting their own groups, places to perform, show formats, promoting, starting their own improv nights, and taking a show to Edinburgh. We’re also available on an ongoing basis after the course to help give support to performing improvisers, and have lots of performance slots at our Improv Comedy Club for teams that form from the course.
Overall we hope to give you everything you need to get out into the world of performing for yourself, and will help kick-
FAQ
Q: Who is this suitable for?
A: People who’ve done some improv or acting workshops and are looking to perform in their first ever improv show.
Q: How much improv should I have done before doing this course?
A: Our beginners improv course, or a similar level of experience somewhere else in improv or acting. If you’re not sure please contact us to ask.
Q: Is there a follow on after this course?
A: Our Long Form Course would be a natural follow on. You might also be interested in our Improv Classes to focus on a specific area.
Q: What if I can’t make every week?
A: As we’re forming a team over the course to do performances at the end it’s best not to miss more than two sessions over the course. If you think you’ll miss more than two sessions over the course please wait until another time to do the course.
Q: What if I’m running late?
A: We’ll be starting each session at 7pm, but if you’re held up at work or whatnot please come along anyway, we’d rather you turned up late than miss a session.
Q: Do I have to perform in the show at the end?
A: No. The show is optional, and you’ll still get loads out of the course without doing the shows.
Q: Can I pay by instalments?
A: Yes. You can book and pay the £60 first instalment (non-
Q: What makes this different from other courses?
A: Awesome showcase performance at the end, more performance opportunities after that, ongoing support and mentoring, taught by the director of London’s leading improv comedy club with huge amounts of experience of performing, producing and directing successful shows.
>> BOOK NOW
Taught by Steve Roe, Hoopla
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 around the UK. 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.
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, 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.
Steve currently performs with Music Box the Improvised Musical (5 Stars – Fringe Guru, 5 Stars – Remote Goat). He has previously performed with The Maydays (5 Stars – Three Weeks) and 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.
Steve Roe is the co-
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-
Steve has studied improv with Keith Johnstone, Patti Styles from Improv Melbourne, Shawn Kinley from Loose Moose Theatre, 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.
Steve currently performs with Music Box the Improvised Musical (5 Stars – Fringe Guru, 5 Stars – Remote Goat). He has previously performed with The Maydays (5 Stars – Three Weeks) and 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.
Course Contents
Each session consists of some fun and friendly warm ups, then some exercises on some of the core skills of improvisation, followed by having some fun with performance games & scenes.
We’ll be covering loads of improv topics as part of the course including:
- Improv essentials
- Active Listening and Awareness
- Offers
- Accepting, Expanding, Deepening
- Yes And
- Emotional Reactions to bring it to life
- Being Altered
- Being Obvious
- Spontaneity
- Confidence and Commitment
- Mistakes
- Justification
- Reincorporation
- Teamwork
- Play
- Building captivating life-like platforms
- Building a physical environment
- Building believable relationships
- Actions, Activities, Entrances
- Creating Instant Characters
- Emotional commitment
- Status
- Narrative
- Performance Games
- Exciting Scene Work
- Game of the Scene
- Staging
- Putting a Show Together
- Show Rehearsals
- Performance Confidence
- Having Fun in Front of an Audience.
- Playing about and having fun!
>> BOOK NOW
Each session consists of some fun and friendly warm ups, then some exercises on some of the core skills of improvisation, followed by having some fun with performance games & scenes.
We’ll be covering loads of improv topics as part of the course including:
-
>> BOOK NOW