Meet Hoopla Teacher Katy Schutte.

Katy's favourite improv quote: 

"If we treat each other as if we are geniuses, poets, and artists, we have a better chance of becoming that on-stage." - Del Close 

•What got you into improv in the first place? 

I didn't realise till years later that I'd done loads of improv at school in my drama class. I imagine it was that. That certainly made me choose Drama as my degree later on. I also found a drop-in class in Brighton years ago that was likely the catalyst to get me doing it all the time. Training at Second City Chicago and watching shows at IO made me get into longform and Baby Wants Candy were my favourites from the first time I saw them in 1999!

•What makes a good improviser? 

Someone that is prepared to listen and support other people on stage to make collaborative art. Someone that is happy to put the truth out there and commit to an idea no matter how good or bad their inner critic tells them it is.

•What’s your favourite exercise and why?

I still love Mind Meld it's a lovely intellectual way of getting to know how other performers are thinking and arriving at a shared vision.

•Who are your favourite improv acts? 

TJ and Dave, Dasariski and the first generation of Baby Wants Candy!

•What does improv training help you with in the real world? 

Being okay with failing in order to get to a better creative and communicative level with other people.

•What advice would you give to people wanting to get into improv?

Try it, it's not as scary as you imagine and you will make a lot of new, lovely friends.

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Katy regularly teaches at Hoopla courses include; Beginners, Performers, Long Form and The Improvisers Way. www.hooplaimpro.com

If you would like to see her perform she is part of improv troupe Project2 and The Maydays. 

And she has also written an improv book called 'The Improvisers Way' which is available to buy from https://www.nickhernbooks.co.uk/the-improvisers-way

Interview with Hoopla teacher Chris Mead

Had a catch up with Chris to find out about the course he created 'Improvised Theatre with Chris Mead' and what else he has been up to recently. 

Hi Chris, can you tell us what is the Improvised Theatre course? 

The improvised theatre course is for improvisers who have gone through all the improv basics and are asking themselves “what next”? Personally, I love improv which is joyful, emotionally-connected, grounded and playful - so that’s the style I’m teaching in this course. It’s nearer to theatre than sketch and although it’s always very funny, it deals with a broader scope of emotions.

What will students be learning over the 8 weeks?

We get through a lot. Group mind, trust, emotional vulnerability, playing from a place of positivity, drawing from your own life to create characters, how to find the story in your relationship, theatricality, slow-burn comedy, intimacy, silence, listening, snack foods…

What improv projects/shows are you currently working on? 

We’re in the process of retooling Project2, my science fiction group, for a couple of really exciting projects (including a run of WEEKLY late shows at Hoopla!). I’m also enjoying visiting international festivals to teach and perform with the Maydays. On top of that, I’m administrating the Originals series for The Nursery Theatre, rehearsing for a new Harry Potter improv show and directing a show with my improv theatre company, Unmade. We’re premiering that in Sweden at the end of March and then we’re performing it for a limited run at The Nursery. I’m also doing a lot of behind the scenes work to get my podcast, YesBot, back up and running. Also sleep and eating.

Thanks Chris, have fun in Sweden!!  

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Next Improvised Theatre with Chris Mead course starts in April - www.hooplaimpro.com/improvised-theatre

Project2 Lates starting Wednesday 4th April - facebook.com/events/355488338263286/

Blogpost created by Angela