Blog from Steve Roe, Director of Hoopla Impro.
Hi everyone, this is a blog! That’s right, old school! I should probably be doing this as a video on Tik Tok holding the camera at arms length as I walk around or while I’m sat down eating food, but I’m 45 and also feel pretty weird just being myself on video so you’ve got a blog instead like it’s 2006. I am eating food though, got some ready salted crinkle cut crisps on the go.
I’ve been cold turkey from improv over the whole of August and coming back into things again from early September. I had some thoughts about getting back into things again that I thought may be helpful for others returning after a break.
From taking a break from improv I’m now happy to say that I really really miss it and can’t wait to get back into things. Taking a break makes me appreciate it more than ever. There’s nothing quite like it is there? I do enjoy “normal” life too, but to get back on stage with friends and have fun making up characters and stories is the most exciting thing in the world. I think the Stoic philosophers of Ancient Greece suggested deliberately taking breaks from even the things that bring you joy, so you could appreciate them even more when you come back to them. I wish I could say I took a break for such reasons, but actually it’s because I was a bit tired and too lazy to do Edinburgh.
So here’s my top tips for getting back into improv after a break:
1. Go back to basics. These are great things to go back to all the time really, but especially after returning after a break. Listening, Agreement, Yes And, Commitment, Play. For more details have a look at our back to basics improv guide.
2. Be average. This is from Keith Johnstone (teacher and director) and so helpful when coming back to things. Relax, don’t try your best, be average and things will come to you moment by moment without you having to force it.
3. You don’t have to start where you left of, and that’s ok, but you will catch up again. Last time you did improv might have been to a sold out weekend crowd at the Hoopla theatre, but that might have been after a run of workshops and rehearsals. It’s ok to start from scratch again, and you’ll find you will get back to where you were quicker as each step along the way will refresh and revitalise you.
4. One thing at a time. You don’t have to come back to something and immediately be brilliant. Just choose one thing per rehearsal or show and work on that, then moment by moment it will all come together. Trying to do all of improv all at once can be overwhelming and take us out of relaxed spontaneity (nothing feels good enough if we are trying to do everything). So just one thing at a time and just focus on that one thing.
5. Play and have fun!
Hoopla’s classes and shows are back from early September.