Workshops

Holly’s workshops are designed to be of benefit to everyone, from professional performers seeking performance skills training, to the brave and curious seeking self-development and everyone in between. Through skillful holding and carefully paced progressions of games and exercises, Holly creates the ideal conditions that allow creativity, play, insight, wonder and discovery to thrive.

Holly has been devising and delivering workshops for adults since 2007. She draws upon her huge history of training and experience in many areas, including: improvisation, clowning, fooling, dance, physical theatre, voice work, creative writing, dramaturgy, dramatherapy, mindfulness, playwork, group process and nonviolent communication to deliver bespoke, bountiful group experiences. To read more about Holly's experience or see her Bristol TEDx talk, click here.

See below for a full list of Holly's workshops. If you have a company or are an individual artist looking to commission your own bespoke training, have a look at what’s on offer below, check out Holly's services pages and get in touch with Holly to begin co-designing your ideal workshop. Holly’s workshops range from 2-hour play sessions to 10 day residencies.

Upcoming Workshops and Events...

2nd March 2025,

Hello Friends,

Thanks for dropping by!

There's loads of courses available right now! More about all these below, but here is the full range of ways you can work with me in the coming months:

I've just announced two new Fooling 5-day courses in Sheffield (19-23 May) and Bristol (30 June - 4th July).
There's still time to sign up for the 2-day Clown Congress - a gathering for clowns of all disciplines at Bristol University in April. Deadline for bookings: 23rd March.
I will also be co-presenting at Clownvergence - the online clown conference in April.
I'll be co-facilitating another Deep Play retreat with the legendary Briony Greenhill in August, exploring voice, body and nature-connection.
I am in the process of setting up two more Fools courses for August (one more 5-day introduction and an advanced fooling 5-day) I’ll send out a newsletter as soon as they go live! (You can sign up to that at the bottom of this page)
If you’d like to support me to run a workshop in your local area, get in touch!

1.) Fooling 5-day courses in Sheffield and Bristol

The Fool, approaching life with openness and curiosity, walks into the empty space and says, "Wow, look what I found!”

Fooling is a form of solo improvisation where you get to meet and play with the cast of characters who normally live inside your head.

This course is for both performers and people who want to learn more about themselves. It’s for a very small group of 8 participants, so that everyone gets a good amount of supported stage-time.

SHEFFIELD

Dates: 19-23 May 2025

Times: 10-6 pm

Application Deadline: 7th April 2025

More info an application form here.

BRISTOL

Dates: June 30 - July 4 2025

Times: 10-6 pm

Application Deadline: 7th April 2025

More info an application form here.

2.) Clown Congress

Calling all clowns! Come gather with us for 2-days of deep, meaningful, playful and irreverent exploration of the future of our beloved artform. Hosted by Holly Stoppit, Robyn Hambrook and Jan Wozniak

Dates: April 5th and 6th 2025

Location: Bristol university

Deadline for bookings: 23rd March

More info and booking here

3.) Clownvergence

Clownvergence is an online meeting place for clowns from all over the world. Expect workshops, talks, discussions and more! Robyn Hambrook and I will be offering a report from our Clown Congress in Bristol and a workshop inspired by what happened at the Clown Teacher's Lab at Hawkwood.

Dates: April 10-13 2025

Location: Online

For more info and booking click here.

4.) Deep Play

I am overjoyed to announce another collaborative vocal improvisation and PLAY retreat in Embercombe, Devon in late July-early August, co-facilitated with Briony Greenhill for anyone who can sing!

A deep week of singing, self-exploration, improvisation, creative expression, embodiment, nature connection, play, fun, joy, depth and support in the sweet sacred land of Embercombe, Devon UK.

Dates: Tuesday 29 July - Sunday 3 August 2025

Venue: Embercombe, Higher Ashton, Exeter, England, EX6 7QQ, United Kingdom

First come, first served

More info and application here.

5.) Bring Holly To Your Local Community!

Would you like me to hold space for you and a group of your peers / friends / colleagues to play, connect, learn and grow together?

Have workshops, will travel!

Whether you're interested in booking an off-the-peg workshop (see my range of workshops below) or commissioning your very own bespoke programme, I'm up for a chat about it! Get in touch at holly@hollystoppit.com.

Watch this space for updates or sign up to my mailing list at the bottom of this page for monthly updates straight into your inbox.

Love and laughter,

Holly x