beginners improv classes
A fun and friendly one day introduction to improv with topics including Listening, Yes And, Confidence, Spontaneity, Character, Scenes, Games and most of all having fun improvising!
No experience in acting, comedy or improv needed whatsoever. You don’t need to be clever or funny!
Hoopla offer one of the most fun and friendly environments to learn improvisation in the UK. Hoopla create a friendly, fun and supportive atmosphere in workshops where people are free to play and be themselves.
These are our one session taster classes for beginners. The follow up to these workshops is our 8 week beginners improv course. You can also start straight away with our 8 week beginners course, you don’t have to do this taster day first.
The supportive atmosphere ensures that even complete beginners will have the confidence to grow their skills.
Hoopla's workshops are supportive and collaborative.
Epic epic epic place. Crazy fun. Took an improv course with Hoopla and it was the best ever. Don't hesitate to go there, just go!!!
If improvisation floats your boat you should head to Hoopla. There’s fewer better ways to see what spur-of-the-moment comedy London has to offer.
Hoopla’s teachers are warm and welcoming and playing in workshops is one of the most joyful, creative things a person can do.
I laughed so hard that I cried, full-on shaking with laughter, as tears streamed down my face.
The workshop really helps you internalise some of the skills we all know are important, like really listening, not dismissing others’ ideas out of hand and allowing yourself to speak up.
As a newcomer to improv, I feel so lucky to have discovered Hoopla. What a fantastic company. I just can't recommend them highly enough!! You'll genuinely laugh till you cry and stretch yourself in ways you never thought possible.
Great to instantly connect with people, drop barriers and have fun for a few hours. I felt like I was developing personally in a supportive, fun environment and that felt great. What a blast!
Everywhere you look, huge grins suggest an enthusiasm and an attentiveness that is rarely seen in a class.
I now regularly try to make room for improv and play time in my life. It is a bright spot when I am feeling beaten down by the everyday. The three hours of laughter do wonders for my stress levels, and afterwards I sleep without a care.
This introduction to improvisation will teach the skills you'll need to master scenes, stories and sketches in a relaxed environment.
Hoopla Impro is awesome. I’ve done a number of courses with them. They were fantastic and really helpful in building my love of improv and comedy as well as improving my confidence.
The capital’s best improv. The UK’s first improv comedy club.
My anxiety evaporated in that room. My stage fright transformed into excitement, and I became dynamic, more spontaneous. Happier.
dates, time, location
Monday 19th Aug 2019, 7pm – 9:30pm, London Bridge: BOOK
Monday 2nd Sept 2019, 7pm – 9:30pm, London Bridge: BOOK
Thursday 12th Sept 2019, 7pm – 9:30pm, King’s Cross: BOOK
Saturday 14th Sept 2019, 1:30pm – 4pm, Liverpool Street: BOOK
Monday 23rd Sept 2019, 7pm – 9:30pm, Liverpool Street: BOOK
Saturday 28th Sept 2019, 1:30pm – 4pm, Liverpool Street: BOOK
Thursday 3rd Oct 2019, 7pm – 9:30pm, King’s Cross: BOOK
Saturday 12th Oct 2019, 1:30pm – 4pm, Liverpool Street: BOOK
Monday 14th Oct 2019, 7pm – 9:30pm, Liverpool Street: BOOK
Thursday 24th Oct 2019, 7pm – 9:30pm, King’s Cross: BOOK
Saturday 26th Oct 2019, 1:30pm – 4pm, Liverpool Street: BOOK
Saturday 16th Nov 2019, 1:30pm – 4pm, Liverpool Street: BOOK
Saturday 7th Dec 2019, 1:30pm – 4pm, Liverpool Street: BOOK
Saturday 14th Dec 2019, 1:30pm – 4pm, Liverpool Street: BOOK
Price: £20.
Maximum Class Size: 14.
Ages: 18+
Liverpool Street Venue: Theatre Delicatessen Studios, 1st Floor, 2 Finsbury Avenue (off Whitecross Place), London, EC2M 2PP.
King’s Cross Venue: PQA Studios, 242 Pentonville Rd, King’s Cross, London N1 9JY.
London Bridge Venue: The Nursery Training Centre, 6th Floor, Capital House, 42 Weston Street, London, SE1 3QD.
our teachers
Chris Mead
Chris has studied improv internationally at iO Chicago, The Annoyance Theater, The Magnet, Baby Wants Candy and The Hideout in Austin, TX. He regularly performs, coaches and is involved with cult Doctor Who comedy podcast The Ood Cast.
Susan Harrison
Susan performs in the Olivier award winning Showstoppers The Improvised Musical, performing on the West End and their international tours. She has taken four Character shows to International Festivals and been involved in several TV shows.
Liam Brennan
Liam performs with The Science of Living Things, Fright Night and The Improvised Crystal Maze and directs many of our new shows. He has trained at UCB and iO.
Steve Roe
Steve is the director and co-founder of Hoopla. He performs with Music Box the improvised musical and has trained with Keith Johnstone, Charna Halpern from iO, UCB and more. He also teaches improv at East 15 drama school and Imperial College.
faqs
Who is this suitable for?
People with no previous experience of improv, or limited experience. You don’t need any improv, acting or comedy experience whatsoever to do this class. You don’t have to be clever or funny either! Everyone is welcome.
What’s the best follow up to this workshop?
Our Level 1: Beginners Improv Course is the best follow up, it’s a longer 8 week course that goes into greater depth.
Can I just start straight away with the 8 week beginners course?
Yes. You don't have to do this taster day first, you can start straight away with our Level 1: Beginners Improv Course, which is our most popular course.
How much improv should I have done before doing this class?
You don’t need to have done anything at all before starting this class.
I’ve never done any impro, comedy or acting before, I’ve never been on stage in my life, is that OK?
Yes that’s perfect, this class has been designed for total beginners so you’d be very welcome.
Will you be doing it again?
Yes, please see dates above for confirmed dates and we’ll also announce future dates on our twitter, facebook and email list.
How big is the class size?
Maximum of 14 people, we find this works as it’s big enough to create a fun atmosphere but small enough that you get lots of time to play with each exercises.
Is there a break?
Yes there’s a lunch break around 1:30pm and also a few smaller breaks over the day.
What makes this different from other classes?
It’s very welcoming and supportive to total beginners with no pressure, and lots of fun. There are loads of laughs and it’s hugely enjoyable.
topics
- Having fun improvising.
- Fun and friendly warm ups.
- Confidence on stage.
- Active Listening. Putting your attention on the other actor.
- Yes And. Yes Let’s.
- Accepting and Building on Offers.
- Being Obvious.
- Being present in the moment.
- Spontaneity.
- Letting yourself go, going for it, playing.
- Having fun with incorporating mistakes.
- Platforms. Location, Character, Relationship.
- Physical Improv.
- Introduction to Characters.
- Improvising Games.
- Introduction to Improvising Scenes.
- Introduction to Improvising Stories.
- Working together as a team.
Most of all having tonnes of fun improvising in a friendly, safe and supportive environment.