Meet The Teacher: Maddy
Fun is looming in the form of the DDG Beginner’s Improv Comedy course! It starts 16 Jan and is taught by the wonderful Madeleine Hunter. Read her Q&A and sign up today.
Who can do this class?
Anyone and everyone is welcome and can do the class, even if you’ve never done anything like this ever before. Don’t be scared – you might just love it!
What can people expect from your Beginner’s Course?
A gentle but enthusiastic introduction to the basic principles of improv interspersed with lessons I’ve learned from improv scenes I’ve played and watched. I’ll also lightly namedrop teachers you’ve never heard of. By the end of the course you’ll have learned how to secretly play a cat in any scene, even if you’re a ‘dog person’.
Everyone is welcome
Don’t worry! You might love it!
What’s your improv background?
In the past half-decade I’ve studied improv comedy with numerous teachers both internationally and here at home. Though I’m not wedded to any school or style, I’m a fan of Chicago-style, game-focussed longform. I joined DDG in June 2016 and I love hosting the weekly jam show and playing in our house team. I’m also in all-female team 20% Less. We’ve played international festivals like NYC’s DCM and Berlin’s Das Improv Festival and we host a monthly improv, sketch and stand-up show in London where all the acts are women or non-binary people. I’m also in the fabulous C3?. I’ll play with anyone who invites me at a time when I’m awake.
What’s your fave game?
I like any game that seems ridiculous for a group of adults to be playing but, when you consider it later as a reasonably experienced improviser, you think: “Oh! That was the important lesson I was tricked into learning!” Also Bunny Bunny.
What might you say to your inner improviser when they aren’t having the best day?
I guess I’d say: “You’re worrying that you aren’t very funny – but it’s OK because your scene partner is.” Be generous to others and focus on them: that’s the key.
What are you enjoying most about the London improv scene?
The growing number of ‘single-angle’ comedy groups and nights such as Comediasians [all-Asian]; Do The Right Scene [all-POC/BAME]; 20% Less’s ‘Word of Muff’ [female-identifying] and the regular shows and annual festival from Zeal [LGBTQIA+]. These acts and nights feature people of a specific identity or background but the humour isn’t derived from or predicated on that. It’s great how people are taking this moment to make a statement and challenge what’s previously been a relatively non-diverse improv identity spectrum here in London.
What’s your ‘thing’ when you’re not talking shop?
Cats and anecdotes about cats I’ve met that allowed me to stroke their soft underbellies.
Describe yourself in three words…
Your new favourite!
Do you have an improv motto or philosophy?
My improv motto is: “Be nice.” My improv philosophy is: “None of this matters, but that doesn’t mean it’s not important.”
Any final message?
I’d like to say to my new students: “Don’t be afraid! I will do everything I can to make you feel welcome and supported. Improv is not scary; it just sometimes looks scary to outsiders. You will soon be on the inside.”
Maddy’s course at Market House, Brixton, starts Thurs 16 Jan for eight weeks. Book here.