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

Do I need any experience to join?
No. Whatever experience you have, you'll need to learn genuine self-forgiveness. Some very experienced improvisers are still on their way. Some great beginners already know this.

What if I’m shy, nervous, or not naturally funny?
You don’t need to be quick, clever or funny. We work with what is there and try to keep the BS to a minimum.

Will I have to perform in front of others?
You can wait until you feel ready. It’s Open Space. You do what you want with yourself.

What happens in a typical session?
We work with breath, movement, attention and connection, then see where things go. We might move, speak, tell stories, play games or do very little. Silence is allowed. No two sessions are the same; the facilitator is improvising too.

What should I wear or bring?
Wear something comfortable enough to move in. You need a quiet space and a decent internet connection. No props, scripts or preparation.

Can I just come to one session?
Yes. But the work gets more interesting over time. As the group gets to know each other, we can go further and do less.

What’s the main thing people take away from this course?
You can stop trying to be interesting and pay attention instead. Connection, play and stories tend to appear by themselves. What gets in the way is anxiety, not a lack of knowledge.

How many people are in the group?
Maximum eight. Small enough for everyone to see and be seen.

This course is about following the thread. Paying attention to what is happening outside you and what it does inside you. Taking action before you quite know why. Letting simple things develop rather than trying to make something happen.

Sometimes it will be ridiculous. Sometimes unexpectedly moving. Often both.

The aim is not to become better at performing improvisation. It is to become more available to what is already here.

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 classes use original games and formats alongside old favourites. We play a lot. It helps dissolve anxiety and explore group dynamics in a low-stakes way.

Composition

Longer sessions usually have three periods. First we move, breathe and relax together. Then we practise games in pairs or groups, with everyone playing at the same time. Finally, there is space for scenes, stories or other work in front of the group. Taking part is always voluntary.

The balance changes from session to session depending on the people in the room and what seems useful or interesting at the time.

Method

The classes are highly interactive and shaped by the pleasure, energy and attention of the group. We take time to arrive, unwind and warm up properly. We work with space and movement as much as words and music.

Our guiding principles are complicity, pleasure and forgiveness.

Practice

Speaking in front of other people may become easier quite quickly. Moving and singing freely might remain difficult for longer. The same goes for avoiding habits and the tendency to stay with what is known. Listening, adjusting and being available to what is happening can also remain challenging no matter how long you have been improvising.

The work is to keep experimenting, notice what gets in the way, and give yourself permission to fail.

Learning

Each session looks at a particular aspect of improvisation while bringing back things we have already explored.

Some learning happens through repetition. Some happens suddenly. You play, or watch somebody else play, and something becomes obvious that nobody could have explained to you beforehand.

Theory and feedback can help us notice what happened, though most things have to be discovered in the doing.

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