Workshops
Holly’s workshops are designed to be of benefit to everyone; from performers and creatives, to therapists and facilitators, to brave and curious seekers, Holly's got something for everyone. Through skilful 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 (MA), IFS (Level 2) and Somatic IFS, 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.
Workshops and Events April - July 2026
15th April 2026,
Dear friends old and new,
Here's a full list what's coming up in the next few months...
***JUST ADDED***
July 4+5 Play Presence and Parts weekend in Bristol
July 27-31 5-day Fools School in Bristol
August 24-28 Fool Meets The World (Advanced Fools Summer School)
To be amongst the first to hear about new courses, scroll to the bottom of this page and sign up to my mailing list.
Love and laughter,
Holly x
1.) Play Presence and Parts Weekend Workshop
What? A new for 2026 weekend introduction to the wonderful world of Holly Stoppit, for those who are longing for more play and connection in their lives!
Who? Anyone over the age of 18. It may be of particular interest to artists, creatives, performers, directors, facilitators, teachers, therapists, counsellors, people in the helping professions, or anyone who works with, lives with or interacts with people. It’s for anyone who is drawn to this work!
Where and when? BRISTOL: 4th and 5th June 2026
Times: 10 - 5.30 both days
Application: first come, first served More info and application forms here.
2.) 5-day Fools School
The Fool, approaching life with openness and curiosity, walks into the empty space and says, "Wow, look what I found!”
***NEW DATES ADDED FOR July 27-31 2026***
Fooling is a form of solo improvisation where you get to meet and play with the cast of characters who normally live inside you. You may find yourself tapping into the freedom of your inner child. Your inner critic may have some things to say about this. Your inner guide or coach may show up to help you manage the situation and so might your inner anarchist, your inner artist or even your inner hermit…
Dates: 27-31 July 2026
Venue: Clifton, Bristol (more details on booking)
Times: 10-6 each day (final day finishes at 6.30)
Application deadline: 2nd June
More info and application form here.
3.) Fool Meets The World (Advanced Fools Summer School)
An advanced Fools training for people who have completed Holly’s 5-day Fooling workshop.
What happens when we meet the world through the eyes, ears, nose, mouth and body of the Fool?
What masks are waiting to be discovered?
What stories are waiting to be told?
Dates: 24-28 August 2026
Venue: Clifton, Bristol (more details on booking)
Times: 10-6 each day (final day finishes at 6.30)
Application deadline: 2nd June
More info and application form here
4.) THE WELL-HELD SPACE; CREATIVE FACILITATION TRAINING
Explore the theory and practice of creative facilitation and develop the confidence, knowledge and skills to facilitate groups in a trauma-informed, safe-enough, responsive and playful way.
WHEN: May 16th and 17th / June 13th and 14th / July 11th and 12th 2026
Times: 10am-5.30pm all days
Venue: St Werburghs, Bristol (more details on booking)
***Waiting list places available: please apply and we'll let you know if a place comes up***
MORE INFO AND BOOKING HERE.
5.) PERFORMANCE AND PARTS FOR VOCAL IMPROVISERS
I will be collaborating with the legendary queen of Vocal Improvisation, Briony Greenhill to offer an exploration of the inner parts that come up during improvised vocal performance.
When: 27th April - 1st May 2026
Where: Buckfastleigh, Devon
You can see a video of me and Briony having a chat about this course here.
6.) Counterplay; International Play Festival
I will be offering a performance lecture and a workshop exploring "What gets in the way of play?" at this incredible play festival in Denmark.
When: 7-9 May
Where: Kolding, Denmark
More info and booking link here.
7.) Commission your own Holly Stoppit Workshop
Bring Holly to your local community!
Who: Theatre companies, health care organisations, businesses, community groups, creative collectives, individual artists.
When: Now booking for 2026/27
Where: Available both in-person and online
More info here.
“100% recommended...I find Holly Stoppit's workshops inspiring and energising, challenging, well held in a safe environment. Better than a holiday!”
Previous workshop participant
“Just expect the unexpected - and be prepared to play.”
Previous workshop participant
“The only trouble with doing a workshop with Holly Stoppit is that all other workshops then pale in comparison.”
Previous workshop participant
