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Premise Pathway
This pathway begins with learning The Armando - a form where scenes are inspired by an opening monologue - and leads into The Harold - a famous improv format that uses an opening to generate the ideas for an entire three-beat show.
Course Overview
Premise improv is any improv show which initiates its scenes with a comedic idea taken from the ‘opening’ to the show - such as a monologue, interview, video etc. etc.
Premise improv tends to get to the comedy quickly by distilling the fun ideas from the opening and initiating scenes with a game ready to go! This pathway begins with learning The Armando - a form where scenes are inspired by an opening monologue - and leads into The Harold - a famous improv format that uses an opening to generate the ideas for an entire three-beat show.
After passing Premise level 2, you can apply for our annual house Harold Team auditions. These courses culminate in a public class show!
The FA’s Level 3 class is a prerequisite for this course. It is not possible to join this improv class with experience from other theatres.
Learning Objectives
Premise Level 1
Learn to perform the improv format The Armando
Learn how to give improvised truthful monologue to open your show
Learn how to initiate a scene with a clear comedic idea pulled from the opening monologue
Learn how to use tags to explore comedic games
Premise Level 2
Learn how to perform the Harold improv form from start to finish
Practise initiating simple premise first beat scenes
Learn how to heighten your first beat game into a second beat
Perform in Group Games with a focus on playing supportively and productively
Learn about connections and reincorporation in improv shows
Our Premise Improv Teachers
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Naomi Petersen
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Luke Healy
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Chris Gau
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Charlie Sturgeon
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Graham Dickson
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Sophia Broido
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Alex Holland
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Laura Riseborough
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Katharine Bennett-Fox
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Jonathan Broke
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Charlie Kemp
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David Elms
Venues
We deliver courses from our own venues, and other spaces across London. Please always check the location of your class when booking! Our most regular class venues are listed below!
Southwark
The Free Association
📍 Arch 26, Old Union Yard Arches, SE1 0LR
Euston
The Old Diorama Arts Centre
Camden
Above The Lord Stanley
People Say Nice Things
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The FA is an incredible hub of vibrancy, talent, imagination and hard work. A place for a great night out with friends or to explore your own creativity.
★★★★★
Sam Hampson
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I had so much fun during the courses at the FA. Brilliant and dedicated teachers combined with lovely people in the classes.
★★★★★
Mariam Osman
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The FA is the best damn place for improv in London. Go see a show, get excited, take a class, get addicted and then spend the rest of your life being silly with people on stage.
★★★★★
Laura Rogers
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Classes are always a highlight of my week! Thoroughly recommend signing up for a taster session if you're interested
★★★★★
Dan White
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Such fun course and dedicated teachers. Go get yourself a treat and learn Improv with the FA!
★★★★★
Alexandre Caillol
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The best improv in London! The training is fantastic - consistent and thorough, and the people are a right laugh and super friendly.
★★★★★
Caroline Amer
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I've loved taking classes at the FA - loads of fun but also a really clear and well-designed programme. Recommend!
★★★★★
Ben Hadley
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Hilarious shows & brilliant classes and teaching staff! If you want to watch or learn improv, the FA is the place to go
★★★★★
Ruby St. Leger
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I've done Level 1 and 2, and will keep going! The teachers are great, the atmosphere is great, and really like the how the classes are structured.
★★★★★
Brian Law
Upcoming Weekly Courses
Upcoming Intensive Courses
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Absolutely. On checkout there will be an option to pay a 25% deposit payment. The remainder of the course fee is due before the start of class.
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Our courses are taught by individuals with a wealth of experience performing in the FA’s unique style.
The Free Association's training is formulated around the FA syllabus - a huge (ever growing) book, meticulously written and structured in order to help you learn everything from the fundamentals of long-form improv through to advanced moves, forms and techniques… all while staying true to the FA’s unique style.
Whilst all our trainers bring unique experience and expertise to their lessons, they all know our style and syllabus inside out, so your improv education will be the same regardless of who is running your class.
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This is an advanced class. We recommend you start with Intro to Long-form Improv. This is our beginners improv class, and doesn’t require any experience.
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The FA’s Level 3 improv training is a pre-requisite for this course. If you have previous experience - please contact us on hello@thefreeassociation.co.uk to check where you should start.
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FA training pushes you to become a better improviser through structured courses, notes and feedback. Our teaching has been developed around a core theory and approach to improv comedy that we build upon through each class of our courses, taking you from fundamentals up to more advanced comedic techniques.
Our teachers are encouraging and supportive of learning new skills but also will give personalised notes to help you identify areas you can work on to develop further.
