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[…]
Word at a Time Story Description Two improvisers stood opposite each other make up a story together by saying a word at a time each. One player says the first word, the next says the second word etc. At first you can start with “Once, Upon, A, Time…” or “One, Day..” and then move on[…]
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[…]
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 exerices 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[…]
Character Course with Susan Harrison – What to expect and her favourite exercises.
Blog Jul 06, 2018
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[…]
Hoopla Teacher Liam Brennan shares his favourite games for first time performers and why they are good to play. Story Director Story Director is a good shout for first-time performers as they can focus on the pure act of improvising. The performers simply have to listen to the ongoing story and take over when it’s their[…]
Fun Short Form Games for Beginners Oracle Oracle involves four people, set behind each other. One at the front sitting on the floor, one behind sat on a chair, the one behind that standing and the last one stood on a chair. That way we can see all their faces. Oracle is a brilliant low[…]
You know the score. You’re due on stage in about 20 minutes, but there’s a show already going on the, cupboard at the back is full of people singing, and the bar downstairs is full. You and your team need a space to warm up, FAST! Bright idea, you go outside, oh no this is[…]
James Witt shares his favourite exercises from his beginners improv course. Shared Holiday Talking about a shared holiday in pairs and starting every new sentence with ‘Yes And’. This really gets the players on the same page in a fun and inventive low-pressure way. I find it a good bonding exercise too and often my[…]