sci-fi b-movie!
8 week course plus show, with Chris Mead.
We asked Chris to come up with the most FUN advanced course imaginable, and he created this improvised sci-fi b-movie EXTRAVAGANZA!
Chris will be taking inspiration from classic movies like The Forbidden Planet, Plan 9 from Outer Space, The Day The Earth Stood Still, Quatermass Experiment and Invasion of the Body Snatchers.
Together we’ll be looking at character types like Mutants, Evil Robots, Aliens, Time Travelers, Heroes and Heroines, Mad Professors, Plucky Reporters and more.
There will also be “light touch” narrative skills to help tie scenes together to tell a great story, and popular sci-fi b-movie tropes like discoveries that change the course of human kind, struggling to avert imminent disaster and the big reveal of the menace to humanity.
Channeling the low budget yet ambitious special effects of classic sci-fi b-movies we’ll be making costumes, playing with props and getting creative with lighting and sound to create an immersive sci-fi spectacle.
Then at the end – there’s a big show! A great chance to invite some chums along and have some fun improvising sci-fi b-movies based on audience suggestions!
This is an advanced course designed for people with previous long-form improv experience. You must have completed levels 1-4 before signing up for this course.
available dates
Dates: Every Wednesday for 8 weeks from Wednesday 8th April 2026, plus show on Thursday 28th May 2026. SOLD OUT
Time: 8pm – 10pm.
Price: £255. Either payable all at once or £120 at time of booking and £135 when the course starts.
Teacher: Chris Mead.
Venue: Old Diorama Arts Centre, Regent’s Place, 201 Drummond St, London, NW1 3FE.
Tube: Warren Street or Euston.
Ages: 18+
This is an advanced course designed for people with previous long-form improv experience. You must have completed levels 1-4 before signing up for this course.
teacher Chris Mead
Chris Mead is one of Hoopla’s most experienced teachers and is an influential figure on the international improv scene. He has performed and taught in over 25 countries worldwide.
He has studied improv internationally at iO Chicago, The Annoyance Theatre Chicago and The Hideout in Austin, Texas. Chris also studied theatre at Royal Holloway College and University of London.
Chris is the co-Director of The Pretend Company, a theatrical improv school and production company.
He is also co-founder and Director of The Unmade Theatre Company, specialising in improvised theatre. He previously performed with the award winning Maydays and with sci-fi group Project2.
Chris was also co-founder of The International Improv Station, an online international community of experienced improvisers, and was previously one of the Artistic Directors of The Nursery Theatre.
He has performed at various improv festivals internationally including Austin Texas, Norway, Edinburgh, Dublin, Sweden and Barcelona.
He also hosts YesBot, a podcast dedicated to the theory and craft of improv (but with added exploding robots) featuring leading performers from around the world.
Who is this suitable for?
People with previous long-form improv experience who want to have fun improvising in the style of a Sci-Fi B-Movie.
How much improv or acting should I have done before doing this course?
You should have done at least our level 4 long-form improv course.
What comes after this course?
We have a variety of other advanced improv courses that would be a suitable level.
What if I’m running late?
We’ll be starting each session at 7pm. This is an advanced course and we’re trying to form a team, so please don’t book this course if you are likely to be late on a regular basis.
What’s the class size?
16 people maximum, average of 12-14 per class.
Do I need previous narrative experience?
No, just general long-form improv experience.
Do I need to know much about the genre?
No. That's all covered as part of the course.