beginners improv classes
A fun & friendly introduction to improvisation! Both online and in-real-life options available.
A fun and friendly one workshop 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.
follow up course
The follow up to these workshops is our 8 week beginners improv course , with online and in-real-life options starting every month.
You can start straight away with our 8 week beginners course, you don’t have to start with these taster days.
in the news!
Our classes have recently been recommended by The Evening Standard, Grazia, Chortle, The Londonist, Broadway World and more!

online dates
Monday 11th January 2021, 7pm – 9pm: SOLD OUT
Wednesday 13th January 2021, 7pm – 9pm: SOLD OUT
Saturday 23rd January 2021, 2pm – 4pm: SOLD OUT
Monday 25th January 2021, 7pm – 9pm: SOLD OUT
Wednesday 3rd February 2021, 7pm – 9pm: BOOK
Saturday 6th February 2021, 2pm – 4pm: BOOK
Monday 8th February 2021, 7pm – 9pm: BOOK
Saturday 20th February 2021, 2pm – 4pm: BOOK
Monday 22nd February 2021, 7pm – 9pm: BOOK
Saturday 27th February 2021, 2pm – 4pm: BOOK
Monday 8th March 2021, 7pm – 9pm: BOOK
Saturday 13th March 2021, 2pm – 4pm: BOOK
Saturday 27th March 2021, 2pm – 4pm: BOOK
Monday 29th March 2021, 7pm – 9pm: BOOK
Saturday 10th April 2021, 2pm – 4pm: BOOK
Price: £20 reduced to £10 for online.
Ages: 18+
Venue: Online using zoom. All details for login for Zoom will be emailed to participants one hour before the workshop.
How the online option works
1. Book your preferred date on this page.
2. On the day of the workshop we will email you log-in for the zoom chat.
3. You then click on the link in the email to join the zoom chat and enter password.
4. You will just need a laptop with camera and internet connection, everything else will be in the link.
5. Don’t worry if you haven’t used Zoom before, we start the first session with an overview of how to use it.
real-life dates
Monday 17th May 2021, 7pm – 9pm: BOOK
Monday 14th June 2021, 7pm – 9pm: BOOK
Monday 5th July 2021, 7pm – 9pm: BOOK
Monday 26th July 2021, 7pm – 9pm: BOOK
Price: £20.
Ages: 18+
Venue: Theatre Delicatessen Studios, 2 Finsbury Avenue (off Whitecross Place), London EC2M 2PA.
Tube: Liverpool Street or Moorgate.
Covid-19 Safety & Flexibility
We have kept class sizes low to ensure 2 metre distancing can stay in place. We have also redesigned games to make sure physically-distanced improv is still fun, friendly and playful! We also offer full flexibility on bookings to give you peace of mind when planning ahead.
our teachers

Maeve Ryan
Maeve performs in and produces Ladyprov, Hoopla's regular show celebrating women in improv. She trained in Acting at The Arts Educational School.

Monica Gaga
Monica hosts Hoopla's main weekend shows and performs improv in Do The Right Scene and Derek's Mojo. She trained in Community Theatre at East 15 Drama School.

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 and is available in both real-life and online formats.
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?
Currently all real-life class sizes are reduced to 12 people or less depending on room size to make sure social distancing can still take place. Online is also 12 people or less.
Is there a break?
Yes there’s a short break halfway.
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.