The future of long-form Interview by Liam Brennan with Hoopla Steve. I had a sit down interview with Hoopla Steve, to ask him about the future of long-form improvisation for Hoopla’s improv classes and shows. He had some really interesting ideas about the direction it’s going in, taking inspiration from the original zeitgeist that created long-form improv[…]
What is Long-form Improv? So you’ve nearly finished your level three course and learned how to improvise awesome standalone scenes! So what’s next? Total freedom! Welcome to the world of long-form improv! In brief, long-form improv gives the players less restrictions and a lot more freedom to play. Is there a character you like? Keep[…]
Different Areas of the UK Every year we run The Hoopla UK & Ireland Improv Festival to bring together different improv groups and communities from across the UK and Ireland. We pay the acts to help with their travel and accommodation, and put on free workshops so improvisers from different areas get the chance to[…]
Hoopla teacher Conor Jatter shares his insight into how clowning can help you be a better improviser! Hi Conor, thanks for taking the time to tell us what clowning is? To me, clown is a whole new world of discovery, perhaps to someone that’s even more freeing than improv. It’s about feeling what the audience[…]
8 things we love about the UK and Ireland Improv Scene! 1. Welcome to the Family! ‘No matter where I have been in the UK, when I find the improv scene, I feel at home.’ Monica Gaga, Hoopla Teacher Even putting aside the stuff we do on stage, improvisers are pretty awesome people. Any time[…]
Tips for improv auditions How auditions work Improv auditions vary from show to show but all tend to have some group warm games first to create a supportive environment and then lots of 2-3 people scenes. The number of scenes you get to do depends on the number of applications for the show. Auditions mainly[…]
I spend ages thinking about writing blogs and never write them. Sometimes the best time to write them is late at night and not think about them. Much like improv, don’t think about it just do it. So here goes a ramble… I’ve got to admit I’ve been confused about things. Recently as a company[…]
Hoopla is excited to announce that we are going to be organising a UK & Ireland Improv Festival!! We will be gathering the best groups in the UK & Ireland in one place, Hoopla Impro! From Friday 26th – Saturday 27th April 2019. The weekend will be a mix of headline acts and new groups from[…]
Hi everyone, We usually write these sort of blogs at the end of the year but we just thought why not now. We’re just in a natural break between teaching seasons and want to take the time to say thanks to everyone involved with Hoopla. If we miss you don’t worry you’ll be in the[…]
Hey there future long-formers! Upon finishing the level 2 and level 3 course and having done your first ever Hoopla improv shows (congratulations!) there’s a good chance you’re thinking about what comes next when you move onto the Long-form course. In brief, long-form gives a lot more freedom to an improviser and more possibilities for[…]
Hoopla teacher Phil Lunn shares his favourite warm up exercises for musical improvisers and how they are helpful. Diddly dum. The phrase is “Diddly dum diddly dum diddly diddly diddly dum”, and we pass it around the circle, one person saying a word at a time. Once that’s sorted, we walk around the room and pass[…]
We caught up with Susan Harrison to find out about her Character Course at Hoopla. Hi Susan, what can people expect to be doing on your course? The character course is a fun and energetic opportunity to improvise numerous characters and to explore the various routes in to characterisation. Students will be on their feet[…]