performance improv course
An 8 week improv course to gently introduce you into performing improv live on stage for the first time, with an end of course show of short-form games and scenes.
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 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 capital’s best improv. The UK’s first improv comedy club.
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.
The supportive atmosphere ensures that even complete beginners will have the confidence to grow their skills.
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.
Thanks for the workshop. All the feedback has been extremely positive! The team loved it!
next available dates
Every Tuesday for 8 weeks from Tuesday 17th September 2019, plus performance on Sunday 10th November 2019. BOOK NOW
Every Wednesday for 8 weeks from Wednesday 18th September 2019, plus performance on Sunday 10th November 2019. BOOK NOW
Every Thursday for 8 weeks from Thursday 6th June 2019 with Steve Roe (with guest teacher for week 2), plus show on Tuesday 30th July 2019. SOLD OUT
Every Monday for 8 weeks from Monday 3rd June 2019 with Jonah Fazel, plus show on Tuesday 23rd July 2019. SOLD OUT
Every Monday for 8 weeks from Monday 9th September 2019, plus performance on Tuesday 29th October 2019. BOOK NOW
Every Wednesday for 8 weeks from Wed 11th September 2019 with Liam Brennan, plus performance on Sunday 3rd November 2019. BOOK NOW
Every Monday for 8 weeks from Monday 3rd June 2019 with Jenny Rowe, plus performance on Tuesday 23rd July 2019. SOLD OUT
Every Tuesday for 8 weeks from Tuesday 4th June 2019 with James Witt, plus performance on Sunday 28th July 2019. SOLD OUT
Every Tuesday for 8 weeks from Tuesday 10th September 2019, plus performance on Wednesday 30th October 2019. BOOK NOW
Every Tuesday for 8 weeks from Tuesday 10th September 2019 with Liam Brennan, plus performance on Saturday 2nd November 2019. BOOK NOW
Every Monday for 8 weeks from Monday 13th May 2019 with Heather Urquhart, plus performance on Wednesday 10th July 2019. SOLD OUT
Every Wednesday for 8 weeks from Wednesday 5th June 2019 with Chris Mead, plus performance on Sunday 28th July 2019. SOLD OUT
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.
James Witt
James performs in The Dreamweaver Quartet. He trained in Drama and Theatre Arts at The University of Birmingham and Musical Theatre at Guildford School of Acting.
Jenny Rowe
Jenny performs with the award winning Maydays and Impromptu Shakespeare Company, and has also toured with Fluxx. She trained at Second City, Annoyance and IO Chicago.
Steve Roe
Steve is the Director and co-founder of Hoopla and has been teaching improv for over 14 years. He has trained with Keith Johnstone, Charna Halpern from iO, UCB & more.
Chris Mead
Chris has studied improv at iO and The Annoyance Theatre in Chicago and The Hideout in Austin, Texas. He performs with the award winning Maydays and sci-fi group Project2.
Liam Brennan
Liam performs in Science of Living Things, Fright Night & Improv Crystal Maze and directs many of our new shows. He has trained at UCB and iO.
Jonah Fazel
Jonah performs with Bumper Blyton the Improvised Enid Blyton Adventure. He trained at The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama. He also trained with Keith Johnstone.
Heather Urquhart
Heather performs with the award winning Maydays, Olivier award winning Showstoppers and Bumper Blyton. She has trained at iO Chicago.
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
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.