WORKSHOPS

BIG BREATHS AND BEING BRAVE with Liam Fair
Halifax, Nova Scotia

This workshop focuses on what we can do internally, and externally in a scene to set ourselves up for the most success on stage. We will focus on ways to stay grounded, engaged and confident in your scene work while exploring the unique ways that we individually prepare to play. Whether it’s a new long form set, or short form games at a rowdy bar- this workshop will set you up to let go, take chances and have the best time with your scene partners on stage. 

Date: Wednesday September 14, 7-9:30 PM
Location: In-person at Jim Green House Studio at the Cultch (1895 Venables Street). Masks optional.

Instructor Bio:

Liam Fair is an improviser from and based in Halifax. His improv journey began with the CIG, and over the last decade Liam has performed and trained with companies like FLiNT Improv, Bad Dog Theatre, Instant Theatre, Blind Tiger Comedy, and Improv College. Liam is part of the improv troupe, Hello City, which just turned 5 years old.

WELL ENDOWED
with Joleen Ballendine
Edmonton, AB

To endow and to be endowed, this is the name of the game. Endowment is attributing other players with physical, emotional or other characteristics, it can also be getting them to do something or behave in a particular way. When used well it can lead to detail, specificity and bold offers; but it only ever works if there is trust built between you and the others on stage. In this workshop, we will explore how endowment can improve your prov. This workshop will be unpredictable and thrilling. Join me and relinquish all control! Meet the challenge of making sense of others’ offers and see where your offers land in return. Come prepared with trust and mischief. Let’s go Vancouver, let’s party!

Date: Thursday September 15, 5-7:30pm
Location: In-person at Jim Green House Studio at the Cultch (1895 Venables Street). Masks optional.

Instructor Bio:

Joleen Ballendine is an actor, improviser, writer, mother, and creator based in Edmonton, Treaty 6 Territories.  She’s a two-time Canadian Screen Award nominee for her performance/writing in the canadian sketch comedy Caution May Contain Nuts on APTN. She’s a main stage cast member and the Director of Education at Rapid Fire Theatre. Joleen has toured all over Canada, and Europe performing, teaching, and directing international students and ensembles. In 2020 Joleen and her writing partners Gordie & Joey Lucius were finalists for the (National Screen Insitute’s) Totally Television Award for their half-hour comedy Lupita. The three hope to share the comedy with audiences soon. When Joleen isn’t doing all the above she loves taking pictures of her gorgeous son, road trips, and karaoke.

WELL ENDOWED
with Joleen Ballendine
Edmonton, AB

To endow and to be endowed, this is the name of the game. Endowment is attributing other players with physical, emotional or other characteristics, it can also be getting them to do something or behave in a particular way. When used well it can lead to detail, specificity and bold offers; but it only ever works if there is trust built between you and the others on stage. In this workshop, we will explore how endowment can improve your prov. This workshop will be unpredictable and thrilling. Join me and relinquish all control! Meet the challenge of making sense of others’ offers and see where your offers land in return. Come prepared with trust and mischief. Let’s go Vancouver, let’s party!

Date: Thursday September 15, 5-7:30pm
Location: In-person at Jim Green House Studio at the Cultch (1895 Venables Street). Masks optional.

Instructor Bio:

Joleen is an actor, improviser, writer, mother, and creator based in Edmonton, Treaty 6 Territories.  She’s a two-time Canadian Screen Award nominee for her performance/writing in the canadian sketch comedy Caution May Contain Nuts on APTN. She’s a main stage cast member and the Director of Education at Rapid Fire Theatre. Joleen has toured all over Canada, and Europe performing, teaching, and directing international students and ensembles. In 2020 Joleen and her writing partners Gordie & Joey Lucius were finalists for the (National Screen Insitute’s) Totally Television Award for their half-hour comedy Lupita. The three hope to share the comedy with audiences soon. When Joleen isn’t doing all the above she loves taking pictures of her gorgeous son, road trips, and karaoke.

IMPROV FOR ABSOLUTE BEGINNERS
with Christian Smith + Kevin Vidal
Toronto, ON

Join Christian and Kevin for a toe-dip into the world of improvisation! This workshop is for anyone who has always wanted to try improv, or for anyone who didn’t know they wanted to until now. Using simple group and paired exercises, this workshop will explore the basic concepts of improv – agreement, happy failure and making your partner look good. We promise it will be a lot of fun! Zero improv experience encouraged.

This workshop is Pay What You Wish – pay zero, five, ten, 800 dollars – it’s up to you! Registration is required.
Date: Friday September 16, 5-7:30pm
Location: In-person at Jim Green House Studio at the Cultch (1895 Venables Street). Masks optional.

Instructor Bios:

Christian Smith is an Actor, Writer, Director Sketch Comedian and Improviser from Toronto, Canada. Christian is a part of two comedy YouTube channels that started during the pandemic; Christian & Nat as well as Pulp Comedy. Both have become very popular in a short time while showcasing Canadian Comedic talent. Christian has toured across Europe and North American with his sketch comedy/improv duo “Soul Decision” alongside his comedic partner, Kevin Vidal.  They’ve performed at Just For Laughs, JFL42, ZooFest as well as partnered with CBC Comedy to create a web series entitled “Soul Decision Comedy” that premiered in 2018. Soul Decision was named one of Mark Breslin’s Comedians to watch. On top of being a contributor for the animated show “Gary and his Demons”; Christian is a Second City National Touring Company alumni and a multiple Canadian Comedy Award winner with the Comedic Musical The Adventures of Tom Shadow. Selected Film/Television: BoyCity, Abroad, True Dating Stories, The Other Half, Alias Grace, Reign, Mayday, In Return (Audience Choice award, Sudbury Cinefest), Portrait of a Serial Monogamist (Closing Gala, LGBT FlimFest).

Kevin Vidal is a Canadian Screen Award and Canadian Comedy Award winning actor for his work in Canadian television and theater. He wrote and performed in two Second City Toronto mainstage revues, was a regular performer at Bad Dog comedy theater and most recently finished a two year run in Mirvish’s hit musical Come From Away. Kevin has also been improvising and performing sketch with his comedy partner/best friend, Christian Smith, since 2014 as Soul Decision Comedy. Born and raised in Toronto, Kevin now calls Vancouver home. Kevin’s recent television credits include Strays (CBC), Workin’ Moms (CBC), Sunnyside (CityTV), But I’m Chris Jericho (CBC), Soul Decision Comedy (CBC) and Kim’s Convenience (CBC).

INTRODUCTION TO SHAKESPEAREAN IMPROVISATION
with Sean McCann
London, UK

Join Sean McCann (London, UK) for a fun workshop exploring the style of The Bard. Some of the games that Shakespeare plays, that can help us find ways of using Shakespeare’s language and images in our improvisation. This workshop is designed to be enjoyable at whatever level of skill – no knowledge of Shakespeare necessary.
Date: Saturday September 17 – 10am-12:30pm
Location: In-person at Jim Green House Studio at the Cultch (1895 Venables Street). Masks optional.

Instructor Bio:

Sean McCann has been improvising since 2005. He is a founding member of the Olivier Award-winnng Showstopper The Improvised Musical, which has had a run in London’s West End, and has toured internationally to Toronto, Hong Kong, Singapore, Brussels, Rome, Mo- I -Rana, Norway, Dublin and Belfast, as well as completed thirteen runs at Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Sean is also a founding member of The School Of Night, where he has been touring and devising Shakespearean and esoteric improvisation since April 23rd 2005. Sean teaches improvisation at Mountview Theatre School, London, and Guildford School Of Acting. Sean was the Head of Improvisation at Oxford School Of Drama (2006-2010 / 2012-2019). Sean has been collaborating on a long term research project with Mary Walsh and Memorial University / University of Toronto, using improvisation in therapeutic story-telling. He is also with Birmingham Shakespeare Library and The Shakespeare Institute on a project exploring mediumship, improvisation, and summoning the spirits of the Elizabethans. 

INTRODUCTION TO SHAKESPEAREAN IMPROVISATION
with Sean McCann
London, UK

Join Sean McCann (London, UK) for a fun workshop exploring the style of The Bard. Some of the games that Shakespeare plays, that can help us find ways of using Shakespeare’s language and images in our improvisation. This workshop is designed to be enjoyable at whatever level of skill – no knowledge of Shakespeare necessary.
Date: Saturday September 17 – 10am-12:30pm
Location: In-person at Jim Green House Studio at the Cultch (1895 Venables Street). Masks optional.

Instructor Bio:

Sean McCann has been improvising since 2005. He is a founding member of the Olivier Award-winnng Showstopper The Improvised Musical, which has had a run in London’s West End, and has toured internationally to Toronto, Hong Kong, Singapore, Brussels, Rome, Mo- I -Rana, Norway, Dublin and Belfast, as well as completed thirteen runs at Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Sean is also a founding member of The School Of Night, where he has been touring and devising Shakespearean and esoteric improvisation since April 23rd 2005. Sean teaches improvisation at Mountview Theatre School, London, and Guildford School Of Acting. Sean was the Head of Improvisation at Oxford School Of Drama (2006-2010 / 2012-2019). Sean has been collaborating on a long term research project with Mary Walsh and Memorial University / University of Toronto, using improvisation in therapeutic story-telling. He is also with Birmingham Shakespeare Library and The Shakespeare Institute on a project exploring mediumship, improvisation, and summoning the spirits of the Elizabethans. 

INTRO TO IMPROVISED MUSICALS
with Adam Meggido
London, UK

This workshop uses games and exercises to explore the ways to improvise songs, and scenes, using some of the language of musical theatre. These games are all designed to be playful and low-stress, while addressing the particular challenges to improvising songs either together or with others.

Date: Saturday September 17, 10am-12:30pm

Location: In-person at Tightrope Theatre (2343 Main Street). Masks optional.

Instructor Bio:
Adam Meggido is an English writer, performer and director based in London. He is perhaps best known for his work in improvised theatre, being the co-creator and director of Showstopper! The Improvised Musical, the first improvised show ever to win an Olivier Award (Best Entertainment and Family 2016). With fellow Showstopper Sean McCann he created Rhapsodes, a two-man development of the work originated with Ken Campbell, which has played extensively internationally. He directed Peter Pan Goes Wrong (Mischief Theatre) for London’s West End (Apollo Theatre 2015-16 and 2016–2017) and national tour, which was nominated for Best New Comedy, Olivier Awards 2016 and filmed by the BBC for broadcast Christmas 2016. It toured New Zealand and Australia in 2018-2019, returned to the UK in 2019-2020, and in 2022, has toured Canada. His book – Improv Beyond Rules: A Practical Guide to Narrative Improvisation – was published by Nick Hern Books in 2019.

IMPROV: ACTS OF CHANGE
with Todd Houseman
Edmonton, AB

What place does improv have in your community? What is your community? Can your artistic/comedic career enhance the world around you? These are some of the questions that will be explored in this workshop. This is an opportunity to gain language around community care and explore tools for becoming more intentional with your improv in relation to your community. Can improv change the world? Probably not… but everything we do has an effect on the world around us. Join Todd in discovering pathways between improv and change, or die trying! Just kidding. This workshop will involve sitting down discussions, playing games on our feet, doing exercises, and sharing personal stories.

Date: Saturday September 17 – 3:30-6pm
Location: In-person at Jim Green House Studio at the Cultch (1895 Venables Street). Masks optional.

Instructor Bio:

Todd Houseman (aka Kaskitew Asiniy) is a cree mixed-blood actor, improviser, and writer from Amiskwaciy (Edmonton). He is a senior member of Edmonton’s Rapid Fire Theatre where he has been performing and teaching since 2009. Todd is also a graduate of the acting program and current teacher at the National Theatre School of canada in Montreal. He is the co-creator of the cultural comedy duo Folk Lordz (with Ben Gorodetsky) which has delighted audiences across the country both live and digitally. In 2021 Todd was awarded a position on the Alberta Council for Global Cooperation’s Top 30 Under 30 list for his work in cultural facilitation and artistic achievement. In recent years, Todd has been developing his written work, with the award winning play Whiteface under his belt and the new play The Children of the Bear in development as a large-scale immersive theatre production. When he’s not writing, improvising or acting Todd can be found on the land, in the mountains and forests of western alberta.

IMPROV: ACTS OF CHANGE
with Todd Houseman
Edmonton, AB

What place does improv have in your community? What is your community? Can your artistic/comedic career enhance the world around you? These are some of the questions that will be explored in this workshop. This is an opportunity to gain language around community care and explore tools for becoming more intentional with your improv in relation to your community. Can improv change the world? Probably not… but everything we do has an effect on the world around us. Join Todd in discovering pathways between improv and change, or die trying! Just kidding. This workshop will involve sitting down discussions, playing games on our feet, doing exercises, and sharing personal stories.

Date: Saturday September 17 – 3:30-6pm
Location: In-person at Jim Green House Studio at the Cultch (1895 Venables Street). Masks optional.

Instructor Bio:

Todd Houseman (aka Kaskitew Asiniy) is a cree mixed-blood actor, improviser, and writer from Amiskwaciy (Edmonton). He is a senior member of Edmonton’s Rapid Fire Theatre where he has been performing and teaching since 2009. Todd is also a graduate of the acting program and current teacher at the National Theatre School of canada in Montreal. He is the co-creator of the cultural comedy duo Folk Lordz (with Ben Gorodetsky) which has delighted audiences across the country both live and digitally. In 2021 Todd was awarded a position on the Alberta Council for Global Cooperation’s Top 30 Under 30 list for his work in cultural facilitation and artistic achievement. In recent years, Todd has been developing his written work, with the award winning play Whiteface under his belt and the new play The Children of the Bear in development as a large-scale immersive theatre production. When he’s not writing, improvising or acting Todd can be found on the land, in the mountains and forests of western alberta.

IMPROV EXPANSION PACK
with Billy Soco
New York, NY

    Like board games, improv scenes are always more fun with expansions! Whether you’re looking for ways to move beyond just talking about what your characters are doing in scenes or just want more variation in the choices you make and reasons why, this workshop is for you! In this workshop, we’ll explore

    • Environmental factors that give purpose to our movement on stage and inspire the choices we make for our characters
    • Gifting character history and experiences to inform our characters’ behaviors and beliefs 
    • Playing with vulnerability and emotional discoveries that enhance our characters’ relationships and how they respond to one another

    These expansions come jam-packed with reps making it the perfect workshop for you and/or the special improviser in your life who wants more options. Fun for the whole team, available while supplies last. 

    Please note: this is a 5-hour long workshop. Please bring a snack and a water bottle.

    Date: Sunday September 18, 10am-3pm
    Location: In-person at Jim Green House Studio (1895 Venables Street). Masks optional.

    Instructor Bio:

    Billy Soco is a first generation Latinx and AAPI actor and improviser. He’s performed on house teams with UCBTNY and Magnet Theater as well as Comedysportz NYC and the nationally recognized Story Pirates. He has performed with Baby Wants Candy, The Armando Diaz Experience, and in festivals across North America with all-Latinx improv ensemble CHUCHO and Kittyhawk Musical Improv. Billy regularly performs with the premier Hip Hop improv comedy team, North Coast, and at Magnet Theater with Big Whoop and The Little Big Show. Billy is an improv coach and instructor and currently teaches improv comedy in NYC at Magnet Theater and Hip Hop improv with North Coast. He delivers non-musical and musical workshops focused on vulnerability and authenticity.

    SUPPORT with Kevin Vidal
    Vancouver, BC

      Learn to be an improviser who can support their fellow players on and off stage. In this workshop, Second City Alum Kevin Vidal, will lead you through exercises and games to help discover how best we can be supporting each other in our scenes. Get out of your head, get out of the “what if”, stop hesitating, let’s stay focused on being present and lifting each other up.

      Date: Sunday September 18, 4-6:30pm
      Location: In-person at Jim Green House Studio (1895 Venables Street). Masks optional.

      Instructor Bio:

      Kevin Vidal is a Canadian Screen Award and Canadian Comedy Award winning actor for his work in Canadian television and theater. He wrote and performed in two Second City Toronto mainstage revues, was a regular performer at Bad Dog comedy theater and most recently finished a two year run in Mirvish’s hit musical Come From Away. Kevin has also been improvising and performing sketch with his comedy partner/best friend, Christian Smith, since 2014 as Soul Decision Comedy. Born and raised in Toronto, Kevin now calls Vancouver home and is excited to be starting a whole new journey of learning, exploration and comedy with Blind Tiger Comedy. Kevin’s recent television credits include Strays (CBC), Workin’ Moms (CBC), Sunnyside (CityTV), But I’m Chris Jericho (CBC), Soul Decision Comedy (CBC) and Kim’s Convenience (CBC).

      BOLDNESS 101
      with Cassie Barradas
      Vancouver, BC

      So much of living is to make yourself smaller, to fear failing so much that you apologize even when you have the right answer. This improv workshop is all about taking up space, being assertive in your first choice, and removing the ‘sorry’ from your posture. Through drills, movement exercises, and copious amounts of encouragement, you will walk – nay, strut – away from the experience feeling so much more BOLD. Intro to Improv or equivalent experience required. This workshop is open to women, queer, trans and non-binary improvisers only.

      Date: Sunday September 18 – 7-9:30pm
      Location: In-person at Jim Green House Studio (1895 Venables Street). Masks optional.
      This workshop is open to women, queer, trans and non-binary improvisers only.

      Instructor Bio:

      Cassie Barradas recently returned to the West Coast after a 6 year stint in Toronto. While there, they taught improv for kids, teens, and adults of all levels and abilities (including specialty courses for those with anxiety, and teens with autism) at The Second City Training Centre. They’ve written for CBC comedy, and at some point developed a fondness for pigeons. Now they’re back where the air is clean and everyone says ‘Thank you’ to the bus driver. Twice published in Reader’s Digest (with a third piece on the way), Cassie is an accomplished maker of mischief, a member of both Queerprov and The Fictionals, and – most importantly – a parent of two beautiful cats.

      BOLDNESS 101
      with Cassie Barradas
      Vancouver, BC

      So much of living is to make yourself smaller, to fear failing so much that you apologize even when you have the right answer. This improv workshop is all about taking up space, being assertive in your first choice, and removing the ‘sorry’ from your posture. Through drills, movement exercises, and copious amounts of encouragement, you will walk – nay, strut – away from the experience feeling so much more BOLD. Intro to Improv or equivalent experience required. This workshop is open to women, queer, trans and non-binary improvisers only.

      Date: Sunday September 18 – 7-9:30pm
      Location: In-person at Jim Green House Studio (1895 Venables Street). Masks optional.
      This workshop is open to women, queer, trans and non-binary improvisers only.

      Instructor Bio:

      Cassie Barradas recently returned to the West Coast after a 6 year stint in Toronto. While there, they taught improv for kids, teens, and adults of all levels and abilities (including specialty courses for those with anxiety, and teens with autism) at The Second City Training Centre. They’ve written for CBC comedy, and at some point developed a fondness for pigeons. Now they’re back where the air is clean and everyone says ‘Thank you’ to the bus driver. Twice published in Reader’s Digest (with a third piece on the way), Cassie is an accomplished maker of mischief, a member of both Queerprov and The Fictionals, and – most importantly – a parent of two beautiful cats.

      COVID-19 PROTOCOLS FOR IN-PERSON WORKSHOPS

      All workshops are mask-optional. Please respect the choice to wear a mask.
      If you are feeling sick or test positive for COVID-19, please do not attend in-person workshops or shows. Questions? info @ vancouverimprovfest.com

      FOR ALL WORKSHOPS

      Workshops open to improvisors aged 19+. All participants will be required to sign our Anti-Harassment Policy prior to the workshop. Please note, we will not be able to offer refunds for workshops.

      If finances are a barrier to your participation in a workshop, please email info @ vancouverimprovfest.com.