ACCESSIBILITY

This year the Vancouver Improv Festival will be introducing additional accessibility features.

This is the first step of building more accessibility into our festival. We would love to receive any feedback from you about what worked, what didn’t, and the things you would like to see in the future, in hopes of further developing our accessibility plan.
You can share your feedback by email: info @ vancouverimprovfest.com

Our 2023 Festival includes in-person shows and workshops at The Cultch and Tightrope Theatre. All shows are general admission but priority and reserved seating is available. Ask Front of House staff on the day of your visit, or email info @ vancouverimprovfest.com in advance.

If you require a complimentary ticket for yourself or a support person, please email info @ vancouverimprovfest.com 24 hours in advance. As long as there is space available, we will reserve a free ticket for you. We have barrier-reduced complimentary tickets for shows and workshops reserved for all events.

If you have additional access needs or questions, please contact info @ vancouverimprovfest.com

RELAXED PERFORMANCES

The following two shows will be Relaxed Performances.
● Friday October 13 at 7:30pm in The Historic Theatre, featuring Festival Ensemble + The Wadsworth Constant (Philadelphia/Portland)
● Saturday October 14 at 8pm in The Culture Lab, featuring Queerprov (Vancouver) and The Upfront Theater (Bellingham)

What to expect in a Relaxed Performance environment:
● A max of 70% seats sold – so people can move seats as needed
● House light to remain at half, so no complete “blackouts”
● People may come and go from the the audience as needed
● You are welcome to use your phone during the show
● A relaxation station in the Founders Lounge at The Cultch which will consist of stimming items. People can visit this table if they need a break from the show, want to refocus their anxiety, or simply need a change of environment
● You are welcome to have stimming toys, or knitting while you are in the audience

Seating is general admission, but priority and reserved seating is available by asking your Front of House staff on the day of your visit, or by emailing info @ vancouverimprovfest.com in advance.

INTERACTION BUTTONS

We know that improv shows can be a challenging environment for audience members due to the unpredictable nature of this work, and we want audience members to have agency over their experience. Just inside each of the theatre spaces you will find “Interaction Buttons”. All audience members are invited to wear a button to signal to the improvisors, staff, and other people in the space, what level of interaction you are comfortable
with. You can change your button at any time.

There are three button colour choices:
● Green indicates I feel comfortable interacting
● Yellow indicates I may be open to interacting. Please ask me first
● Red indicates I am not comfortable with interacting at this time.

If you have any access needs, please do not hesitate to contact us, we will do our very best to accommodate you.

VENUE INFORMATION

The Cultch is located at 1895 Venables Street, Vancouver. The Historic Theatre and Culture Lab at The Cultch are wheelchair accessible. There is street parking in front of the building. The venue is accessible by transit (2-5 blocks away) – please note transit service decreases at night. There are two accessible parking stalls that may be reserved for people with mobility considerations.

Support persons accompanying patrons who require assistance to attend a performance or workshop will receive a complimentary ticket.

There are designated wheelchair spots in the front row in The Historic and Culture Lab theatres. Please notify The Cultch box office to reserve by calling 604-251-1363

The Jim Green House Studio (where most in-person workshops take place) is accessed via a gravel path and has a standard double door entrance with a ramp leading into the space. For more information on The Cultch venues, please click here.

The Cultch has multi-stall all-gender washrooms, and one wheelchair accessible all-gender washroom.

A scent-free policy is in place for all Cultch venues.

Tickets to performances at The Cultch may be purchased online, via telephone or in-person at The Cultch box office. Questions? 604-251-1363 or boxoffice @ thecultch.com

Tightrope Theatre is located at 2343 Main Street. The theatre is located on the main floor and there are no stairs to access the space. The washroom is all-gender, but is not wheelchair accessible. There will not be a relaxation station at Tightrope Theatre.

Tickets to performances at Tightrope Theatre may be purchased online through the Tightrope Theatre website, or in-person on the night of the performance.

WORKSHOP CHECK INS

All workshops will begin with a verbal check-in, where you will be invited to share pronouns and any access needs or personal boundaries you may want to with the instructor and other participants. If you would like to share in advance with your workshop instructor, please email
info @ vancouverimprovfest.com.
All performers, instructors, and workshop participants are required to read and sign our Anti-Harrassment Policy.