National groups:
International groups:
Local Shows:
Live, Improvised Art
BASSPROV : Chicago
BASSPROV is a two–person longform improvisational comedy show. The main characters, Donny Weaver (Mark Sutton) and Earl Hinkle (Joe Bill), are middle-aged central Indiana blue–collar guys that spend their free time fishing and talking about sports. The show begins with an audience suggestion of a current event and "something you can stick your fingers in." From there, a completely improvised dialogue is created while interconnecting events from the characters' lives and the suggestions, all while the two men fish. BASSPROV is a Hook in Mouth production.
The show has been performed throughout the United States and internationally at festivals, clubs, and colleges and have been awarded the Nichols & May Award for Comedy Duo of the Year from the Chicago Improv Festival and Chicago's Best Comedy Group by Bass Ale.
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CRUSH : New York City
Fun and energetic, the eight-member ensemble CRUSH takes your one word suggestion and presents a world of improvised scenes, characters, and comedy that will break your hearts. CRUSH presents an original long–form loosely based on the Harold, which we present weekly in NYC. Directed by Christian Capozzoli, CRUSH's individual players are Brandon Lisy, Brian Bockrath, Steve Horak, Chet Siegel, Nick Kanellis, Frank Bonomo, Lauren Olson, and Taylor White.
WEBSITE : [www.magnettheatre.com]
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Die Gorillas : Berlin
Founded in 1997, Die Gorillas are Berlin's biggest impro ensemble. With four regular shows per week they are the most–seen impro group in Berlin. With more than 14.000 annual visitors, their shows are traditionally sold out every weekend.
The professional ensemble consists of six actors, four actresses and two musicians. In their impro school, Die Gorillas teach regular workshops in improvisational theatre.
In 2001, Die Gorillas started their international festival "IMPRO" which is now known as the biggest of its kind in Europe. Every spring almost 30 international impro guests further the art of improvisational theatre in more than 20 performances over one week.
Die Gorillas have also been guests at many international festivals all around the globe, including Seattle, Oslo, Vancouver, Riga, Antwerp, Ljubljana and many others.
WEBSITE : [www.die-gorillas.de]
Ghost Jail Theatre : Toronto
Ghost Jail Theatre, first launched in October 2007 by co–artistic directors Ian Rowe (co–producer, The Tournament of Wonders) and Caitlin Howden (current Second City Mainstage cast member), is a weekly comedy show, performed for a live audience. The show features monologues and scenes created in the moment without notes or forethought. Each week we randomly select a theme from a piece of writing provided by our audience, and perform our improvised take on that theme.
WEBSITE [www.ghostjail.com]
Improv Monologue Project : Everywhere
The Improv Monologue Project is a weekly video podcast that features a spontaneous monologue performed by an improviser without any preparation! You can find out more at www.ImprovMonologueProject.com or subscribe by searching "improv" in the iTunes Store.
The Improv Monologue Project has been seen 55,000 times and has 1000 subscribers. The IMP has released over 55 videos (including submissions) and has been part of the following festivals: Toronto's Combustion Festival, Regina's General Fools Festival, Edmonton's Improvaganza, Atlanta's Black Box Festival and Austin's comedy festival, Out of Bounds.
The IMP will feature new monologues, shot on location at VIIF, throughout the festival.
WEBSITE [www.improvmonologueproject.com]
WDWMKR : Toronto
Fueled by some of the best and brightest up–and–coming female improvisers in Toronto, this femme squad (pronounced "widowmaker") is anything but dainty. Based on a single suggestion at the top of the show, WDWMKR takes on subjects both racy and mundane, straddles worlds both glaringly realistic and blatantly insane, leaving the audience breathless.
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The Bobbers
The Bobbers, based out of Vancouver, BC, are one of the first queer comedy improv troupes to form in Canada. They have been making people laugh with their unique comedy shows, like the acclaimed Tops and Bottoms, for over 3 years. The Bobbers have appeared at festivals and events and are now starring in their very own series, Tops & Bottoms, on OUT TV this fall!
WEBSITE [www.bobloblawqct.ca]
Stretch (VTSL)
STRETCH is the world renowned Vancouver TheatreSports League's non-stop improv show that squeezes every drop of comedy out of a single suggestion. Just sit back and watch VTSL’s finest as they weave a comedic web of hilarious scenes, games and monologues without stopping!
Pump Trolley
A rain water-fresh addition to the Vancouver comedy scene, Pump Trolley is Tom Hill, Devin Mackenzie, and Nicole Passmore. Combining impulses, absurdity, and hard-fought courage they tear up their improv sets with instantaneous hilarity.
Collectively they are 3/13ths of Pump Trolley Comedy, a weekly Thursday night showcase of the best improv, sketch, and stand-up that Vancouver has to offer. Nicole is also a member of the all-female improv juggernaut Rosa Parks, while Tom and Devin together perform as the duo Hip.Bang! The three of them all coincidentally happen to have had a lot of fun coaching some real great friends to the National Tournament of the Canadian Improv Games, whilst also having spent time together with !nstant Theatre's Conservatory, and the illustrious UBC improv.
Get Pumped.
WEBSITE [www.pumptrolleycomedy.com]
Meags Fitzgerald: CALGARY
Meags Fitzgerald has been involved with the performing and visual arts scenes in Edmonton, Calgary, and Toronto. As an improviser, she has performed most often with Rapid Fire Theatre and Loose Moose Theatre. For many summers she has been an instructor at the Improv Camp, including the ;aunch of Australia's first ever improv camp this past summer. Meags also is a practicing artist with her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Drawing and she has her own publishing and craft line, Go Eat Some Poison Productions. In addition to designing the festival t-shirts, Meags will also be making Improv Art (quick drawings based on audience suggestions) that will be available for purchase throughout the festival.