Hello! Nice to meet you person reading this blog! My name is Phoebe- I am an improviser originally from the US who now teaches and performs with Hoopla. I teach lots of beginners courses and love seeing the way folks transform from the start to end of our 8 weeks together, it’s very exciting and a big privilege to witness. If you are reading this, maybe you are thinking about starting a beginners course soon?!??!? Or maybe you just began one?!?!?!? If that is true…. congratulations to you!!! What an exciting adventure you are about to begin! Here are some of my personal top tips for someone just starting out with improv:
- Be proud of yourself!
You have chosen to commit to spending 2 hours every week doing something that is just for you! Life can be so crazy/busy/overwhelming/scary/stressful, and to actually decide to set aside time each week for an activity where you get to PLAY, be vulnerable, connect with others, and get in touch with your own joyyyy is not something that everyone is willing to do. It is scary to start anything new, especially something that requires getting up in front of other people and being goofy. When you show up to your first improv class, you are subconsciously telling your heart/soul/creative spirit/part of you that wants to feel more alive that you see it and are committed to cherishing and nurturing it. And that is badass and awesome! Every week when you come to class, I encourage you to take some time after to be proud of yourself for showing up that week. Maybe reflect on some moments in class you are proud of! Tell a friend, write them in a journal, or just think about it! Don’t take for granted how awesome it is that you are showing up for yourself by honoring the commitment you made to be in the same place 8 weeks in a row having a lot of fun, but also hopefully developing skills and memories that will last a long time.
- Trust your voice
Whatever you say and do on stage will be awesome because it is uniquely you. Try not to compare yourself to others, and trust that bringing who you authentically are to class is all you have to do. You are fun to watch improvise because you are different from anyone else, and just watching you have fun on stage with confidence will be delightful!
- Let go of expectations
Maybe you get to class and it is different from what you expected. Possibly you had a very stressful day at work and rushed to eat dinner and push through rush hour to be on time, and now someone is telling you run around and act like a chicken or pretend you are delivering an Oscar acceptance speech. Possibly you have not played games where you stand in a circle and made funny noises since you were a child. I encourage you to let go of any expectations, and just have as much fun with what is truly happening in the present moment of class as you can! Lean in!
- Get to know your team
Your improv classmates are your new team! How exciting! The better you get to know everyone, the more rewarding the next weeks together will be. I would encourage you to resist the urge to stare at your phone before class or on the break. Be the person that asks someone else a question, gives someone a compliment, gets everyone talking! Invite everyone else to get a pizza before class one week or go see a show all together on the weekend, even if it feels scary I bet everyone will be really glad you asked. Support your team and celebrate each other’s awesome moments in class.
- Have fun!
Improv is fun! Give yourself permission to let go and play. Relish in the present moment. Make new friends. Be very silly. Enjoy learning something new. But mostly, have sooooo much fun!!!
Hoopla’s next beginners improv courses are starting next month.