performance improv course
A 6-8 week improv course to gently introduce you into performing improv live on stage for the first time (or online during lockdown), with an end of course show of short-form games and scenes.
Currently running online.
This course is designed to follow on from our Level 1: Beginners Improv Course so isn’t a massive leap, and many of the people on it will have come directly from our beginners course.
Over the course you’ll learn how to perform a show of improvised games & scenes using a mix of short-form and scene based improv techniques.
You’ll progress each week with your team of fellow improvisers, before performing in a show together at our Improv Comedy Club (or online during lockdown) in front of a friendly audience.
Taught by regular performers at our Improv Comedy Club, recently recommended by Time Out, The Daily Telegraph, The Londonist and The Evening Standard.
The online version of this course also now includes a bonus “back to real life workshop and jam” – when our theatre opens again in real life you will be welcomed to a free bonus workshop to do some improv in real life and also put on an optional real life show!
On stage after level 2, gotta say we smashed it! Really recommend their courses ❤️ Our teacher created a safe environment for us to really gel and feel at ease and support each other.
I've now taken 2 classes with Hoopla, and have had the best experience in both. The Level 2 class with James was incredibly supportive and welcoming, and really helped to solidify performance techniques, stage craft, and just having loads of fun whilst improvising.
The capital’s best improv. The UK’s first improv comedy club.
Being completely new to the performing arts, the Hoopla courses & teachers did an excellent preparing me for my improv stage performance. My group and I all felt comfortable, confident, and well prepared for the show and the audience feedback was amazing!
If improvisation floats your boat you should head to Hoopla. There’s fewer better ways to see what spur-of-the-moment comedy London has to offer.
If you're looking for a place to push yourself out of your comfort zone in a way that's supportive, fun and outright hilarious then this is the place to do it! You'll form lifelong friends, and the skills you learn are transferable to the rest of life. Highly recommended.
The supportive atmosphere ensures that even complete beginners will have the confidence to grow their skills.
I loved the two courses I did with Hoopla - beginner and performance, both taught by James Witt, who is incredible at creating a safe and fun atmosphere to work in. If you're wondering whether you should sign up to a course: DO IT!! Thanks Hoopla!
Hoopla's workshops are supportive and collaborative.
Everywhere you look, huge grins suggest an enthusiasm and an attentiveness that is rarely seen in a course.
online dates
Every Tuesday for 6 weeks from Tuesday 25th August 2020 with Maeve Ryan, plus optional online show. BOOK NOW
Every Monday for 6 weeks from Monday 26th October 2020, plus optional online show. BOOK NOW
Every Monday for 6 weeks from Monday 17th August 2020 with Maeve Ryan, plus optional online show. SOLD OUT
Every Tuesday for 6 weeks from Tuesday 7th July 2020 with Maeve Ryan, plus optional online show. SOLD OUT
Every Monday for 6 weeks from Monday 13th July 2020 with James Witt, plus optional online show. SOLD OUT
The above courses are online
1. Book your preferred date on this page.
2. On the day of the first 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
New dates coming soon.
New dates coming soon.
New dates coming soon.
New dates coming soon.
New dates coming soon.
Covid-19 Safety & Flexibility
We have followed government guidance to make sure all of our classes and shows are covid-secure, while also working hard to make sure socially-distanced improv is still fun, friendly and playful!
We also offer full flexibility on bookings to give you peace of mind when planning ahead.
who runs the course
Sally Hodgkiss
Sally performs with Bumper Blyton, The Committee, Actor's Nightmare and Stephen Frost's Impro All Stars. She has trained at iO, UCB and Second City.
Stephen Davidson
Stephen is the Artistic Director of Improvable, QI: Queer Improv and of Zeal: The Pride Improv Festival. He is the author of two books about improv: Play Like an Ally, and Improvising Gender.
James Irving
James performs in Dreamweaver Quartet, one of Hoopla's most popular improv shows. He also tours nationwide with The Impromptu Shakespeare Company and Bumper Blyton.
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.
Conor Jatter
Conor has performed improv for over 10 years with The RH Experience including multiple runs at The Edinburgh Fringe. He has trained with Philippe Gaulier.
Liam Brennan
Liam performs in Science of Living Things, Fright Club & Improv Crystal Maze and directs many of our new shows. He has trained at UCB and iO.
what's included
Each session consists of some fun and friendly warm ups, then some exercises on some of the core skills of improvisation, followed by having some fun with performance games & scenes gradually building up to a show.
You’ll be rehearsing with the same people regularly every week so you progress together. As a committed supportive team you’ll be helping each other to perform in your first ever improv show.
The focus will be on performing as a team, with us teaching using our experience of performing and directing improv at our venue.
We’ll be helping and encouraging you all the way to your first show. Invite your friends and family and share your love of improv.
In addition to the classes we’re always available to give further advice and have a chat about future performing possibilities. We’ll be able to advise people on things like starting their own groups, places to perform, show formats, promoting, and starting their own improv nights.
We’re even available on an ongoing basis after the course to help give support to performing improvisers and have loads of great ongoing performance opportunities for people who have done our courses.
Overall we hope to give you everything you need to get out into the world of performing for yourself, and will help kick-start you into whatever you want to do.
Improv Basics Recap
- Teamwork and support
- Active listening
- Offers and agreement
- Yes And
- Spontaneity
- Commitment
Establishing Location
- Building a physical environment
- Object work
- Activities, actions, entrances
- Staging to make scenes look cool
Establishing Relationship & Character
- Identifying each other in scenes
- Building believable relationships
- Emotional reactions and commitment
- Being altered
- Talking to each other about each other
- Being obvious and responding realistically
- Being truthful and honest on stage
- Fun ways to create instant character
Scene Structure
- Performing scenes from simple suggestions
- Who, what, where
- Justifying and incorporating mistakes
- Spotting what a scene is about
- Game of the scene and patterns
- Escalating emotions and other fun things in a scene
- Reincorporating to find an ending
Show Games and Performance Skills
- Performing a variety of great short-form games
- Physical, verbal, character and story games
- How to get out of pre-show nerves
- Show rehearsals
- Confidence and having fun with performing in front of an audience
Most of all…….
Playing and having lots of fun with improv!
faqs
We have followed government guidance to make sure all of our classes are covid-secure, while also working hard to make sure socially-distanced improv is still fun, friendly and playful! We also offer full flexibility on bookings to give you peace of mind when planning ahead.
For additional FAQs please see list below:
Is there a follow on after this course?
Yes. Our Level 3: Scenes Improv Course is the follow on to this course.
What comes before this course?
It’s best to do our Beginners Improv Course first if you haven’t done any improv before.
Who is this suitable for?
People who’ve done our Level 1: Beginners Improv Course already, or some other similar improv or acting workshops.
How much improv should I have done before doing this course?
Our Level 1: Beginners Improv Course, or a similar level of experience somewhere else in improv or acting. If you’re not sure please contact us to ask.
Do I have to start at level 1 if I have previous improv experience?
No, you are welcome to start at level 2 if you have previous improv experience, we don't force people to start from scratch if they have previous experience.
What if I can’t make every week?
As we’re forming a team over the course to do performances at the end it’s best not to miss more than one session over the course. If you think you’ll miss more than one session over the course please wait until another time to do the course. You may not be able to do the show if you miss more than one session.
What if I’m running late?
You’ll get the most from the course if you’re there each week at 7pm, and it helps us to form a team together. If you’re likely to be late regularly please don’t book the course.
Can I pay by instalments?
Yes. You can book and pay the £95 first instalment and pay the remaining £100 once the course starts.
Does it matter what teacher I have?
No. We all come from similar performing and training backgrounds. We train and plan the courses together to make sure it’s the same experience and we are covering the same topics.
What is the class size?
The group size is going to be limited to 16 people and is usually about 12-14 people - small enough that you get lots and lots of practice and stage time, but big enough that there’s still a lively atmosphere in the workshop. It’ll be fun as we get to know each other and build a team together.
Do I have to perform in the show at the end?
No. The show is optional, and you’ll still get loads out of the course without doing the show.
How long is the show?
Around 35-40 minutes per half, with half the group performing in one half and half in the other. We split the group in half to make sure people get lots of stage time.
Can I invite people to the show?
Yes. It's free for the audience and they don't have to book in advance they just turn up on the night.
Where is the performance?
Shows are usually at Hoopla at The Miller, 96 Snowsfields Road, London Bridge, SE1 3SS but on busy seasons are sometimes at other venues like The Horse in Waterloo.
What ages is the course for?
We are open to all ages over 18. Impro is suitable for all ages, we’ve had everyone from 18 to over 80. It’s physical but not more physical than normal every day life, and you are welcome to take a break whenever you want or sit out of exercises you don’t think would be suitable.
Are the courses accessible to people who use a wheelchair?
Yes. If you use a wheelchair please email us at time of booking and we will make sure your course is an accessible venue. We are happy to work with you to make all the games we play accessible.
Do you do prices for concessions?
Yes. We want to make improv available to everyone so don't want price to be a barrier. If you are a student, unemployed or on low income please contact us and we will be able to arrange something.
Is this course suitable for people who have English as a second language?
Our courses are very international so we do have many students who have English as a second language, but you will have to be fluent in English as we do a lot of improvised dialogue. If you’re not sure please contact us and we will advise the best course.
What makes this different from other courses?
Awesome showcase performance at the end, ongoing support and mentoring, taught by the performers at London’s leading improv comedy club with huge amounts of experience of performing, producing and directing successful shows.