SHOWS

Shows take place at The Cultch Theatre (1895 Venables Street)
at Culture Lab or the Historic Theatre.
Tightrope + Guests shows take place at Tightrope Theatre (2343 Main Street)

BABY SYRUP (VANCOUVER)

Karla Monterrosa and Cassie Barradas have been obsessed with each other and Girlboss culture since early 2020. This bond has only been strengthened over the course of the pandemic where they hosted fake work meetings over Instagram Live. 

Between the two of them, they have 14 years of comedy experience, and have performed at such places as: Smash Comedy Festival, Vancouver Queer Improv Festival, Vancouver Improv Festival, Little Mountain Gallery, Tightrope Theatre, The Second City Training Centre, The Sasha Ha Ha Show, Havana Moon Comedy, and more! 

 

Thurs Sept 15, 8PM at The Culture Lab

BROKE GRAVY (PORTLAND, OR)

“Broke Gravy uses improv comedy, storytelling, and podcasting to discover truth between the blurry lines of the daily grind.

As three Black Americans, Chris Williams, Leon Anderson, and Eric Simons utilize their unique voices to spark thoughtful conversations on and off comedy stages. Through a candid dialogue, they’ll exchange their experiences with those of the audience—exploring deeper perspectives on comedy, relationships, and humanity.

Also, they’re funny AF.”

Thurs Sept 15, 7:30PM at The Historic Theatre
Fri Sept 16, 9:45PM at The Historic Theatre

BROKE GRAVY (PORTLAND, OR)

“Broke Gravy uses improv comedy, storytelling, and podcasting to discover truth between the blurry lines of the daily grind.

As three Black Americans, Chris Williams, Leon Anderson, and Eric Simons utilize their unique voices to spark thoughtful conversations on and off comedy stages. Through a candid dialogue, they’ll exchange their experiences with those of the audience—exploring deeper perspectives on comedy, relationships, and humanity.

Also, they’re funny AF.”

Thurs Sept 15, 7:30PM at The Historic Theatre
Fri Sept 16, 9:45PM at The Historic Theatre

DUO POP-UP SHOW

Vancouver Improv Festival is proud to present a closing night show like no other, hosted by the amazing Ese Atawo. Here’s how Duo Pop-Up Show works: we pair up improvisors who have never played with each other from across the festival to create a guaranteed night of comedic magic! And it’s all captured live in stunning drawings! It’s safe to say that this is a once in a lifetime show, ’cause who knows when these duos will be paired up again?

Sat Sept 17, 10:00PM at The Culture Lab

FESTIVAL ENSEMBLE (North America)

We’ve assembled some of the best and brightest improvisers from around North America to form the Festival Ensemble! Under the inspiring direction of Todd Houseman (Edmonton) and Adam Meggido (London, UK), these intrepid performers will create never-before-seen improv shows that will blow your mind.

For more information about the Festival Ensemble, click here

Wed Sept 14, 7:30PM at The Culture Lab
Thurs Sept 15, 8:00PM at The Culture Lab
Fri Sept 16, 7:30PM at The Historic Theatre
Sat Sept 17, 7:30PM at The Historic Theatre

FESTIVAL ENSEMBLE (North America)

We’ve assembled some of the best and brightest improvisers from around North America to form the Festival Ensemble! Under the inspiring direction of Todd Houseman (Edmonton) and Adam Meggido (London, UK), these intrepid performers will create never-before-seen improv shows that will blow your mind.

For more information about the Festival Ensemble, click here

Wed Sept 14, 7:30PM at The Culture Lab
Thurs Sept 15, 8:00PM at The Culture Lab
Fri Sept 16, 7:30PM at The Historic Theatre
Sat Sept 17, 7:30PM at The Historic Theatre

FISTFUL OF KICKS (VANCOUVER)

Fistful of Kicks features Vancouver’s funniest East-Asian improvisers creating epic stories and legends on the spot based on a single word of inspiration from the audience. Drawing on their shared cultural upbringing, the cast weaves together hilarious and Asian-focused stories that kick ass and take names. But wait, there’s more! They also infuse wild and wonderful stage combat into their performances to create an improv show like no other. The group has performed at festivals all over North America, including the Seattle Festival of Improv Theater, the Improvised Play Festival (Austin, TX), Stumptown Improv Festival (Portland, OR), at the Vancouver Improv Festival, and virtually at the Asian&Funny Festival (Toronto). By drawing on tropes from the various genre focuses over the years (including East Asian legends and giant mecha Anime) and writing compelling and wacky stories in real time, Fistful of Kicks delivers a unique and hilarious show you won’t see anywhere else!


Sat Sept 17, 9:45PM at The Historic Theatre

HELLO CITY (HALIFAX)

Hello City is Kjipuktuk, Halifax’s award winning improv company best known for their show HELLO CITY where they invite Haligonians to come tell stories about their life in Halifax which is then used to inspire the scenes. These shows usually take place in their favourite black box, The Bus Stop Theatre. Hello City consists of Liam Fair (he/him), Shahin Sanjari (he/him), Colin McGuire (he/him), Stevey Hunter (they/them), Gil Anderson (she/her), Peter Sarty (he/him), Beth Poulsen (she/her), and Henricus Gielis (he/him). Hello City is known for their work at the Halifax Fringe where they have created multiple “fringe hits”. Their show The Book Club won for Best Ensemble at the Halifax Fringe in 2018 and their show Lords of Fogtown won Outstanding Comedy and (every member!) took home Outstanding Performance in a Supporting Role in 2019. Silver Best Comedian – The Coast, Best of Halifax 2021 Silver Best Comedy Night – The Coast, Best of Halifax 2018, 2019 Best Ensemble, Fringe Hit – Halifax Fringe 2018 Outstanding Comedy, Outstanding Performance in a Supporting Role – Halifax Fringe 2019

Thurs Sept 15, 7:30PM at The Historic Theatre
Fri Sept 16, 10:00PM at The Culture Lab

HELLO CITY (HALIFAX)

Hello City is Kjipuktuk, Halifax’s award winning improv company best known for their show HELLO CITY where they invite Haligonians to come tell stories about their life in Halifax which is then used to inspire the scenes. These shows usually take place in their favourite black box, The Bus Stop Theatre. Hello City consists of Liam Fair (he/him), Shahin Sanjari (he/him), Colin McGuire (he/him), Stevey Hunter (they/them), Gil Anderson (she/her), Peter Sarty (he/him), Beth Poulsen (she/her), and Henricus Gielis (he/him). Hello City is known for their work at the Halifax Fringe where they have created multiple “fringe hits”. Their show The Book Club won for Best Ensemble at the Halifax Fringe in 2018 and their show Lords of Fogtown won Outstanding Comedy and (every member!) took home Outstanding Performance in a Supporting Role in 2019. Silver Best Comedian – The Coast, Best of Halifax 2021 Silver Best Comedy Night – The Coast, Best of Halifax 2018, 2019 Best Ensemble, Fringe Hit – Halifax Fringe 2018 Outstanding Comedy, Outstanding Performance in a Supporting Role – Halifax Fringe 2019

Thurs Sept 15, 7:30PM at The Historic Theatre
Fri Sept 16, 10:00PM at The Culture Lab

HOT SNACK (VANCOUVER)

Hot Snack Comedy is an all femme improv group united by their love of comedy and snacks. Formed in early 2020, they spent their first year and a half rehearsing and performing exclusively online, and loved making each other laugh through these strange and difficult times. In late 2021, they finally made their way to the stage for performances around Vancouver where it has been an absolute joy to share laughter live and in person. They cannot wait to be on stage sharing more laughs (and snacks) at the Vancouver Improv Fest!

Sat Sept 17, 8:00PM at The Culture Lab

MISSED CONNECTIONS (VANCOUVER)

Because sometimes that first impression needs a second chance…

Ever wondered what would have happened if you made that connection on the train with the person across the aisle? If the waiter who winked at you was still there when you got back to the table? If you did make it to the top of the Eiffel Tower by midnight?

Improvisors from Tightrope Impro Theatre read REAL Craigslist “missed connections” and take it from there… if you share YOUR missed connection, you can watch what you always wondered could have happened come to life on stage!

Fri Sept 16, 8:00PM at The Culture Lab

MISSED CONNECTIONS (VANCOUVER)

Because sometimes that first impression needs a second chance…

Ever wondered what would have happened if you made that connection on the train with the person across the aisle? If the waiter who winked at you was still there when you got back to the table? If you did make it to the top of the Eiffel Tower by midnight?

Improvisors from Tightrope Impro Theatre read REAL Craigslist “missed connections” and take it from there… if you share YOUR missed connection, you can watch what you always wondered could have happened come to life on stage!

Fri Sept 16, 8:00PM at The Culture Lab

OPENING NIGHT GALA!

Join us for the opening night of the 24th Vancouver Improv Festival. For the person who likes a little of everything: this show will be a sampling of the amazing acts you can expect at the festival this year!

Tues Sept 13, 7:30PM at The Culture Lab

RÅ POWER (EDMONTON/VANCOUVER)

Rå Power is the rough and tumble improv duo of Amy Shostak and Joleen Ballendine. They are obsessed with chasing joy in their scenework, and doing things that scare them on stage. Amy and Joleen have been performing together since they met at Rapid Fire Theatre in Edmonton, Alberta in 2007, and have been touring as a duo since 2015. They have performed at The Sweden International Improv Festival, The Combustion Festival (Toronto), Det Andre Teatret (Oslo), and The Ratibor Theatre (Berlin). Living in different cities, they spend most of their time together on the road.

Sat Sept 17, 8:00PM at The Culture Lab

RÅ POWER (EDMONTON/VANCOUVER)

Rå Power is the rough and tumble improv duo of Amy Shostak and Joleen Ballendine. They are obsessed with chasing joy in their scenework, and doing things that scare them on stage. Amy and Joleen have been performing together since they met at Rapid Fire Theatre in Edmonton, Alberta in 2007, and have been touring as a duo since 2015. They have performed at The Sweden International Improv Festival, The Combustion Festival (Toronto), Det Andre Teatret (Oslo), and The Ratibor Theatre (Berlin). Living in different cities, they spend most of their time together on the road.

Sat Sept 17, 8:00PM at The Culture Lab

SCHOOL OF NIGHT (London, UK)

The School Of Night is an improvisation company founded by Ken Camppell, under the auspices of Mark Rylance, on the stage of Shakespeare’s Globe London in 2005. Company members improvise in the style of Shakespeare and other writers on the spot, while using lots of esoteric and unusual improvisation exercises, and with help from the audience. Ideally a lot of help. School of Night have appeared at: Shakespeare’s Globe, Royal Court, National Theatre, The British Library, Second City Toronto, Elsinore Castle Denmark, seven Edinburgh Festival Fringe runs, Edmonton’s Improvaganza, Hay Literary Festival, and have an ongoing relationship with The Willow Globe, the only theatre in the UK that is actually alive. In Rhapsodes, two bardic improvisers (Adam Meggido and Sean McCann) take stories from the audience and improvise scenes from a lost Shakespearean masterpiece. Other writers sometimes get channeled. Audience participation is encouraged, and audience members frequently appear, voluntarily, in the show.
Wed Sept 14, 7:30PM at The Culture Lab
Thurs Sept 15, 9:45PM at The Historic Theatre

SOUL DECISION (VANCOUVER/TORONTO)

Soul Decision is made up of best friends Kevin Vidal and Christian Smith. Together these two have performed at Just For Laughs, JFL42,  Zoofest, The Black & Funny Festival and across North America and Europe. They’ve been nominated for a Canadian Comedy Award for their self-titled CBC Web Series “Soul Decision Comedy” and won multiple Canadian Comedy Awards for their parts in the comedic musical The Adventures of Tom Shadow.  They won the Audience Choice award for the Toronto Sketchfest (2019) and were named the “Best of the Fest” for the same festival. Both are alumni of The Second City stages and you can catch these two on screen on shows like Strays, Workin’ Moms, Abroad and BoyCity. They’re actors and writers but most of all they’re nice boys and mortal enemies.

Fri Sept 16, 10PM at The Culture Lab
Sat Sept 17, 9:45PM at The Historic Theatre

SOUL DECISION (VANCOUVER/TORONTO)

Soul Decision is made up of best friends Kevin Vidal and Christian Smith. Together these two have performed at Just For Laughs, JFL42,  Zoofest, The Black & Funny Festival and across North America and Europe. They’ve been nominated for a Canadian Comedy Award for their self-titled CBC Web Series “Soul Decision Comedy” and won multiple Canadian Comedy Awards for their parts in the comedic musical The Adventures of Tom Shadow.  They won the Audience Choice award for the Toronto Sketchfest (2019) and were named the “Best of the Fest” for the same festival. Both are alumni of The Second City stages and you can catch these two on screen on shows like Strays, Workin’ Moms, Abroad and BoyCity. They’re actors and writers but most of all they’re nice boys and mortal enemies.

Fri Sept 16, 10PM at The Culture Lab
Sat Sept 17, 9:45PM at The Historic Theatre

TIGHTROPE THEATRE + GUESTS!

Tightrope Impro Theatre is a company specializing in the art of Improvisation. Vancouver Improv Festival is happy to co-present three special jam shows with Tightrope Theatre, featuring festival guests mixed in with the Tightrope Ensemble. Thursday night catch Maestro, Friday is Gorilla Theatre, and Saturday is Smash Hit.

All shows take place at Tightrope Impro Theatre at 2343 Main Street in Vancouver. Please note, tickets for these shows can be purchased directly through Tightrope Theatre, linked below.

Maestro — Thurs Sept 15, 7:30 PM
Gorilla Theatre — Fri Sept 16, 7:30 PM
Smash Hit — Sat Sept 17, 7:30 PM

TREAT SHOW (Vancouver)

Treat Show is a Vancouver-based improv super group (think Traveling Wilbury’s but if it was a bunch of George Harrisons). They perform a weekly improv show every Saturday at their home at the China Cloud. Treat Show is Allie Entwistle, Devin Mackenzie, Ronald Dario, Alyssa Hirose, Kerri Donaldson and Tom Hill (with Maarten Bayliss as music man improvisor and tech wizard).
Treat Show is 6 pals who love improv bringing their own unique comedy styles together for a blend of short and long form improv that’s high-energy, unexpected and always silly. They love creating experimental short form games, forcing each other to sing whenever possible and creating absurd worlds and unique characters. They also think you deserve a treat!
Fri Sept 16, 9:45PM at The Historic Theatre

TREAT SHOW (Vancouver)

Treat Show is a Vancouver-based improv super group (think Traveling Wilbury’s but if it was a bunch of George Harrisons). They perform a weekly improv show every Saturday at their home at the China Cloud. Treat Show is Allie Entwistle, Devin Mackenzie, Ronald Dario, Alyssa Hirose, Kerri Donaldson and Tom Hill (with Maarten Bayliss as music man improvisor and tech wizard).
Treat Show is 6 pals who love improv bringing their own unique comedy styles together for a blend of short and long form improv that’s high-energy, unexpected and always silly. They love creating experimental short form games, forcing each other to sing whenever possible and creating absurd worlds and unique characters. They also think you deserve a treat!
Fri Sept 16, 9:45PM at The Historic Theatre

VELVET HAMMER (Portland, OR)

Velvet Hammer hails from Portland, Bellingham and LA. They all met in Portland, OR and we are the very best of friends. They focus on rich versatile character work. Velvet Hammer is DK Reinemer (Becoming Magic Mike, Seattle Improv Fest), Dylan Reiff (Kickstand Comedy, Stumptown Improv Fest), Kara Moore (West Side Improv Fest, Kickstand Comedy) and Kristen Schier (Curious Comedy, The Future, Philly Improv Theater).

Fri Sept 16, 8:00PM at The Culture Lab
Sat Sept 17, 7:30PM at The Historic Theatre

Z SAID (Edmonton)

Joleen Ballendine and Todd Houseman are beyond excited to share their show with audiences far and wide. These two Edmonton natives have been performing together since 2009 at Edmonton’s Rapid Fire Theatre. They’ve taken the classic Theatresports game “he said/she said/they said” and expanded it into a full-length show. This endowment format relinquishes control to the other improvisor giving them the reins to their stage directions resulting in an unpredictable balance of trust and mischief. What nonsense will this troupe get up to at the Vancouver Improv festival this year? “Come see these prairie-pukes improvise a full-length show based on a short form classic”, THEY SAID nodding with pride, crushing a third green onion cake into their gapping mouths, high-fiving and closing their laptop.

Thurs Sept 15, 9:45PM at The Historic Theatre
Fri Sept 16, 7:30PM at The Historic Theatre

Z SAID (Edmonton)

Joleen Ballendine and Todd Houseman are beyond excited to share their show with audiences far and wide. These two Edmonton natives have been performing together since 2009 at Edmonton’s Rapid Fire Theatre. They’ve taken the classic Theatresports game “he said/she said/they said” and expanded it into a full-length show. This endowment format relinquishes control to the other improvisor giving them the reins to their stage directions resulting in an unpredictable balance of trust and mischief. What nonsense will this troupe get up to at the Vancouver Improv festival this year? “Come see these prairie-pukes improvise a full-length show based on a short form classic”, THEY SAID nodding with pride, crushing a third green onion cake into their gapping mouths, high-fiving and closing their laptop.

Thurs Sept 15, 9:45PM at The Historic Theatre
Fri Sept 16, 7:30PM at The Historic Theatre