beginners improv classes
A fun and friendly one day introduction to improv including Listening, Yes And, Spontaneity, Character, Scenes, Games and 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. If you want to do more please have a look at our 6-8 week beginners improv courses.
dates, time, location
Price: £16.
Maximum Class Size: 14.
Venue: Theatre Delicatessen Studios, 1st Floor, 2 Finsbury Avenue (off Whitecross Place), London, EC2M 2PP.
Tube: Liverpool Street, Moorgate or Bank.
Ages: 18+.
who runs the workshop
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.
Sally Hodgkiss
Sally is a trained actor and theatre facilitator. She has been improvising for several years having trained with teachers from IO Chicago, UCB New York and Second City. Sally is co-founder and joint Artistic Director of Sonder, a new theatre company.
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.
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.