Ensemble Impro Course

Thursdays from 12 November to 3 December 2026, 19:00 to 21:00 UK time, online. In your current location, that's Thursday, 19:00 to 21:00 UK time.

$150 for the four sessions.
Your donation goes straight to work and cannot be refunded.

The world is your playground.
All classes are taught in English.

8 places in total.

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

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

Ensemble 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 organising our classes by levels, with mixed results, we’ve changed our approach. Improvisation is not a linear process, and there is no reason other than habit to teach it linearly. Consideration, courage and curiosity matter as much as experience; we never stop learning, and everyone progresses differently. We now use three learning frameworks, open to all:

Informal

Exploring togetherness and connection.

Discovery

Exploring self-expression and spontaneity.

Ensemble

Exploring collective expression and storytelling.

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 Impro Course

Remy Bertrand has spent well over 10,000 hours teaching and facilitating improvisation. Based in Monpazier, Dordogne, after 30 years in London, he has been working internationally since 2006 through Imprology, as well as in drama schools, universities, charities, and other organisations.

Over the years, he has directed large-scale improvised performances with Zootrophic, a multidisciplinary improvisation ensemble, and co-directed improvised short films with Peter Snowdon. For more than nine years in London, he also hosted Love Explosion, a monthly open-stage night where anyone could get up with a randomly chosen partner and improvise together for two minutes.

Alongside his public teaching, Remy has worked extensively with improvisation in professional training, including with senior GPs for the NHS, international banks, consultancy firms, utility companies, and the fashion industry. He remains open to challenging work, but left LinkedIn a few years ago and has never regretted it.

His training is ongoing and has included work with John Wright (Improvisation, Clown), Kate Hilder and Sten Rudstrom (Action Theatre), Mary Overlie (Six Viewpoints), Lee Simpson (Improvisation), Lucy Hopkins (Clown), and Punchdrunk (Immersive Theatre).

Remy often says that his greatest teachers have been his students. He is less interested in teaching people how to perform “correctly” than in creating the conditions for curiosity, courage and pleasure, to generate genuine encounters. For him, improvisation is not just a performance technique but a way of exploring how we respond to others, and how we stay available when we do not know what comes next.

Many of the people he has worked with have gone on to become performers, directors, teachers, and facilitators, while others have taken improvisation into psychotherapy, community work, corporate training, film, music, and social projects.

'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 Worker

'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