Ensemble Online Impro Course

This course is on Thursday from 7:00 to 9:00 pm UK time. In your current location, that's Thursday, 7 to 9pm UK time

All proceeds from this course go to Improv 4.5.0, a therapeutic community in Ukraine founded by combat veteran Serhii Velychanskyi. Learn more.

Please note that your donation goes straight to work and cannot be refunded.

Schedule a video call with us if you still have questions.

Ensemble Online Impro Course

1. Do I need any experience to join?
Not at all. Whether you're new to improvisation or have been at it for years, you're welcome exactly as you are.

2. What if I’m shy, nervous, or not naturally funny?
That’s perfect. This course isn’t about being quick or clever—it’s about being present and working with what’s there. If you’re shy or nervous, we’ll use that too. Nothing needs to be fixed.

3. Will I have to perform in front of others?
You’ll be seen and heard, but we’re not putting on a show—we’re exploring together. Everything’s voluntary. It’s Open Space: you take part in the way that feels right for you.

4. What happens in a typical session?
We warm up breath and body, practise shared attention, and play. Sometimes we move, sometimes we speak, sometimes we fall quiet. Every session is different. The facilitator is improvising too.

5. What should I wear or bring?
Wear something comfortable you can move in. Bring yourself, a quiet space, and a decent internet connection. No props, no scripts, no need to prepare anything in advance.

6. Can I just come to one session?
Yes, but it’s best as a journey. Trust builds, things deepen.

7. What’s the main thing people take away from this course?
That it’s a relief to stop pretending. That connection can be playful. That something real happens when we show up, just as we are.

8. How many people are in the group?
It’s an intimate group—maximum 8 participants—so there’s space for everyone to be seen, heard, and included.

This course is a space to follow the thread, to trust what emerges, to let yourself be moved. We’ll play with attention, adjustment, timing, rhythm. We’ll laugh—not because we’re trying to be funny, but because something true just bubbled up. It’s light, deep, ridiculous and real, all at once.

Level

After years of teaching improv, we stopped using levels in our classes. Improvisation is not a linear process, so there is no reason to teach it linearly. Levels also say very little about a person’s capacity to work with others. We all know highly experienced improvisers who struggle to give space and time, and beginners who listen, adapt, and support with great care. We can learn from one another regardless of experience. What is required to take our classes is not background, but courage, consideration, and curiosity.

Instead of levels, we work with the following approaches, all open to beginners and experienced improvisers alike:

Informal

Exploring connection and togetherness.

Essential

Exploring spontaneity and self-expression.

Ensemble

Exploring storytelling and collective expression.

You will find aspects of all these approaches in everything we do, but each improv learning event places the emphasis on one of them.

Content

Our improv classes, for both beginner and advanced improvisers, feature original games and formats as well as revisited old favourites. We spend a lot of time playing to dissolve performance anxiety.

Composition

Our longest improv class sessions usually consist of three periods. First we move, breathe, and relax with the entire group. Then we practice games, in pairs or groups, with everyone taking part at the same time. In the end, we practise scenes, with performers playing in front of the other participants voluntarily. A beginner improv class will concentrate on the two first periods, while an advanced class will make more space for scene work and story-telling.

Method

Our improv classes are highly interactive and conditioned by the level of pleasure and energy in the group. We take the time to unwind and warm up properly and focus on space and movement as much as dialogue. Our guiding principles are cooperation, pleasure, and forgiveness.

Pace

The speed at which beginner improv students acquire the necessary skills depends on each individual. The confidence to speak with ease in front of an audience manifests sooner or later through practice and exploration. The capacity to listen and adjust in real-time to any given situation is harder to master. Participants will need to provide themselves with the freedom to experiment and permission to fail.

Learning

Each improv class session relates to a particular aspect of improvisation and solidifies previous training. Learning also happens in breakthroughs. As you play or watch other people play, you suddenly realise something about yourself or how you do things, a moment of clarity that must be experienced and cannot be imparted. Receiving feedback will help you make sense of it all.

Ensemble Online Impro Course

Remy Bertrand is part of a select group of improvisation facilitators with over 10,000 hours of teaching experience. Based in London, UK, Remy has been teaching and training people in improvisation internationally since 2006 through Imprology, as well as in drama schools, universities, charities, and other institutions. He has directed several large-scale improvised performances with Zootrophic, a multi-disciplinary improvisation ensemble, and has co-directed improvised short films with Peter Snowdon. Remy also hosts Love Explosion, an improvised open-stage show.

His recent training includes work with John Wright (Impro, Clown), Kate Hilder and Sten Rudstrom (Action Theatre), Mary Overlie (Six Viewpoints), Lee Simpson (Open Space, Impro), Lucy Hopkins (Clown), and Punchdrunk (Immersive Theatre).

Remy believes his greatest teachers have been his students. He approaches improvisation as a transformational process, emphasising pleasure, curiosity, and courage. Many of his students have gone on to become professional performers, directors, and educators, while others have applied improvisation skills in fields such as psychotherapy, corporate training, and community engagement. Alumni of his workshops have created their own theatre companies, toured internationally, and developed innovative projects that blend improvisation with film, music, and social activism.

'Attending this workshop was truly transformative. It ignited a fire within me to break through the barriers that have been hindering my growth and embrace a more authentic version of myself. Remy's unwavering encouragement, genuine honesty, and profound insights created a nurturing and empowering space where I could fully embrace my true self. Beyond just an improv workshop, it was a journey towards conquering our fears and limitations, and unlocking our fullest potential.' Sarah Kent artist,critic, performer

'I'm a full time stand up comedian these days and your course helped me massively.' Jonny Awsum, Comedian

'I felt really supported and safe even though I was really scared on my first lesson.' Zita Konyari, Hospitality Executive

'Social anxiety was my main concern. Your course helped me much beyond my expectations.' Xavier P, Risk Management

'A great mix of silliness and discovery, whatever your aims. There are skills here for daily life and on stage.' Niall Hill, VR Producer at BBC

'The most liberating fun I have had in years!' Emma Callow, Creative Lab Manager

'I have had so many zoom-meetings this year and none of them have been as much fun as this zoom event! Great to know the zoom functions can be used and played with in such an amazing, interactive and fun way! Thank you!' Theresa Rhino, Online Participant

'Always lots of laughter, questions, baffling metaphors, surprising, deep listening, connection, acceptance, movement, failing and getting back up again. All the best things!' Sophie Tidman, Senior Advisor

'An incredible, touching, and fun experience. I cannot recommend this highly enough. Joshua Brostoff, Clinical Study Director

'I have frequented Imprology courses for several years. There are always new discoveries to be made and fresh games in which to engage.' Paul Barber, Mathematician

'A very unique and positive experience. Challenging, fun, interesting and ultimately transformative.' Ben Weatherill, Mental Health Workwer

'Through Imprology I have experienced myself and others in ways that are both fun and developmental. I find the classes extremely thought-provoking and above all entertaining.' Ned Brown, Health Executive

'Every class is different and I believe this is testament to the teacher being someone who is constantly curious - always learning and exploring. I've found his classes powerfully healing as well as playful and life-affirming. They incorporate many skills which have been so useful to my own development as a therapist: anxiety regulation, presence, authenticity, vulnerability as strength, opening into the unconscious. The perfect antidote to all that we are normally encouraged to do; a beautiful retrieval of our most human selves.' Lucy Smart, Therapist

'Imprology has helped me immensely to enjoy myself more, connect with others, and stay focused.' Lucas Szczesiak, Software Engineer and Stand-Up Comedian

'A great way to relax, learn to listen and free yourself. The teaching is really inspiring, and it's really good fun!' Benjamin Kerridge, Vicar

'A space to play, reflect, challenge yourself, be present and have fun. I could not recommend enough.' Michelle Borda, Consultant in Children's Creativity

'I had a great deal of fun and felt I learnt a lot in such a short time. I felt challenged and nourished.' Hannah Nicholas, Actor

'I found out more about myself in one day than I did with one term of my interpersonal communications course.' Rachel Melinek, Student

'The facilitator strikes a perfect balance between pushing his students out of their comfort zone and making sure everyone is thoroughly enjoying themselves. The results are transformative.' Valerie Peake, Life Coach/Musician

'Learning about improvisation was like taking the handbrake off my life.' Simon Bell, Training Consultant

'Encouraged you to step out of your comfort zone in a way which was stretching but not scary.' Sarah Woodthorpe, Accountant

'The facilitator was clearly very experienced and truly excellent.' Ruth Whaling, Psychologist

'Brilliantly delivered, suitable for all levels, built in many layers of skills, and was huge fun!' Emma Smallman, Groupworker

'Highly recommended.' Jonathan Chappell, GP

'Great facilitation, great atmosphere, you'll learn a great deal about yourself, and have a laugh a minute.' Jemma Gray, Executive Assistant

'I had a great time laughing with a fantastic bunch of fun creative people every week.' Frankie Hardy, Nurse

'The Quality of teaching is extraordinary!' Benni Lehne, PhD student

'I thoroughly enjoyed myself and learnt skills which have greatly impacted upon my life.' Eve Macdonald, Youth Development

'Thanks again for such a fabulous weekend.' Deborah Rothenberg, Drama & Movement Therapist

'Amazing, wise, enlightening, excellent actor training and just great fun! Geraldine Curtis, Actor

'You were a joy to learn with.' Ola Aralepo, Comedian

'Magnificent course, I'm so glad I took it.' Jenny Glanville, Hypnotherapist

'Many classes I come in after work feeling a little drained and every night I leave feeling excited and refreshed.' Andrew Dowe, Consultant

'It really gives you a confidence boost and it is great fun!' Andlib Mohsin, Criminal Lawyer

'The knowledge and flexibility gained have proven especially useful to me in auditioning.' Liis Mikk, Actor