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Classes

Learn how to improv!

Want to learn how to improvise as well as our ensemble members do?

The Improv Centre has been teaching the art of improvisation in Vancouver and the Lower Mainland for over 40 years. We want to give YOU that same improv training!

Our education programs will give you a firm grasp of the improv basics, confidence at the intermediate level, and a mastery of advanced techniques. We have 3 main types of courses: Core Classes, Workshops, and Specialty Workshops

Core Classes are eight (8) hours over two days. Workshops are a shorter commitment, at just two (2) hours long. 

Specialty workshops may vary based on the subject, scope, and time required. 

We’re lucky that many of our talented performer are also incredibly capable teachers. We also host visiting teachers whenever we get the chance!

We ask that students complete our Core Classes in a linear order. All courses of a level must be completed for students to advance to the next. Classes are not graded, but we’ll recommend repeats for those who should have more practice. 

For all classes unless explicitly stated, all students must be 19 years or older to participate. 

Our classes are a place for our students to learn and have fun! Nobody is born being a great improviser – we understand that people have different skill sets, and that’s a good thing! You should come to class with that understanding too.

Core Classes

The Fun-damentals!

January 10th & 11th
  • Instructors:  Maddy Rafter & Mark Savoie
January 24th & 25th
  • Instructors: Jeff Cooper & Rachel Kent
February 21st & 22nd
  • Instructors: Cam Grant & Mary Saunders
March 14th & 15th
  • Instructors: John Voth & Caitlin Maira

Day & Time: Saturdays & Sundays
at 11:00am-3:00pm (8 hours)
Age: 19+
Level Required:
no improv experience is required! Cost: $195

Improv 101 offers actors and new performers a peek behind the improv curtain. We go over improv fundamentals, good improv habits, and show you how to build a scene from nothing but a simple suggestion. Come and dip your toes in, or jump off the deep end! Every answer is the right answer!

The Funner-damentals!

February 7th & 8th
  • Instructors: Riley Hardwick & Jenny Rubé

Day & Time: Saturdays & Sundays at
11:00am-3:00pm (8 hours)
Age: 19+
Level Required: Improv 101
Cost:
$195

This course builds on the basics of story from Improv 101 and uses it to create short scenes with a focus on characters and settings. We want to explore what creates a strong narrative while learning tips and tricks of what makes scenes more successful and rewarding for both the improviser and the audience. Must have successfully completed Improv 101.

Short Form Scene-Work

February 14th & 15th
  • Instructors: John Voth & Taylor Palmer
March 7th & 8th
    • Instructors: Mary Saunders  & Raf Rogers

Day & Time: Saturdays & Sundays at
11:00am-3:00pm (8 hours)
Age: 19+
Level Required: Improv 101 & 102
Cost: $195

To continue education in simple short form games and scenes, incorporating the lessons and take-aways from Improv 101/102. We will build on the ability to “make a scene matter” as well as explore simple game handles that can add fun twists to regular scenes!

Games on Games on Games

March 28th & 29th
  • Instructors: Will Vaughan & Maddy Rafter

Day & Time: Saturdays & Sundays at 11:00am-3:00pm (8 hours)
Age: 19+
Level Required: Improv 101 & 102 & 103
Cost:
$195

Here at TIC, we play a LOT of short form games – IN FACT, Theatresports™, a staple of our programming for the last 40+ years, consists of entirely short form games! This course is a chance to learn how to play some our most beloved and celebrated games while telling a great story! Come learn how to handle the handles of games!

Advanced Scene-Work

Day & Time: Saturdays & Sundays at 11:00am-3:00pm (8 hours)
Age: 19+
Level Required: Improv 101 & 102 & 103
Cost:
$195

Consistency is cool. In this 8 hour course, we will learn how to consistently bring in strong offers and advance scenes in a helpful way! With a focus on short form, open scenes that raise the stakes, tug the heartstrings AND tickle the funny bone, this course is exactly what an improvisor needs to level up their skills!

200 Level Improv

300 Level Improv

This class is for actors and improvisers to prove themselves as true storytellers.

We explore character archetypes, story archetypes, storytelling beats, as well as study different genres, moods and tones.

It’s not just a scene, it’s the whole movie!

Cost: $195
8 hours
Ages 19+
Next Class:

In Improv 302, we continue to explore different genres from Improv 301, and how to tell full complete stories, using classic storytelling tropes.

It’s so fun, you may even sing…

Cost: $195
8 hours
Ages 19+
Next Class:

Workshops

Musical Improv: From Scene to Song

With Rachel Kent

Date: Saturday & Sunday, November 15th & 16th
Time: 11:00am-3:00pm (8 hours in total)

Ages 19+

So you know what makes an improv scene great. Want to make your improv scenes even greater? In this high-energy workshop, you’ll practice the basics of musical improv — from song structures, to rhyming, to embodying the *pizzazz* that brings it all together! Featuring live piano accompaniment by mainstage performer Cam Grant, you’ll leave with an understanding of musical techniques and the confidence to bring musical improv into any scene moving forwards.

Level Required: Improv 103 or equivalent improv experience (reach out to education@theimprovcentre.ca if you’re not sure!)

Piano Accompaniment by Cam Grant

Capacity: 16 people

Cost: $195

Teacher Bio

Teacher bio:

Rachel Kent is a trained theatre actor and singer, with over 10 years of experience in Improvised Comedy. She started out with “The 11 O’Clock Number!: The Improvised Musical” with Grindstone Theatre in Edmonton, and is in her 3rd season with The Improv Center on Granville Island, where she performs and teaches weekly. She has trained at The Annoyance in Chicago, taken Magnet Theatre’s musical improv intensive in New York, and taught workshops in far off places like Germany. Her passion is narrative long form and genre parody, but she loves showing people how to reconnect with their sense of play, remove their fear of failure, and take their skills to the next level. Her dream musical role is Miss Hannigan in Annie and please don’t ask her to dance.
Saturday, January 17th
    • Instructors:  Jalen Saip & Alex Gullason

Time: 3:30pm – 5:30pm
Age: 19+
Level Required: some improv experience is required
Workshop Capacity: 14 people
Cost: $30

Explore a series of classic shortform games, giving you the space to play, play and play some more. Get key tips and tricks on how to be even more successful in your scene work as you learn about the different types of games and the “motors” that make them so much fun to play!

Saturday, January 10th
  • Instructors:  Raf Rogers & Jacki Gunn
Saturday, March 21st
  • Instructors:  Jeff Cooper & Rachel Kent

Time: 3:30pm – 5:30pm
Age: 19+
Level Required: no improv experience is required!
Workshop Capacity:
20 people
Cost:
$20

Are you interested in the art of improvisation? Come learn with us! You’ll be taught the basics of improv in this two-hour workshop that’s geared toward beginners. Come enjoy a fun, friendly and supportive environment to learn the magic of “Yes, And!”

We also offer a limited amount of free spots for folks who identify as BIPOC, LGBTQIA2S+, or any other marginalized group. Please email boxoffice@theimprovcentre.ca to inquire.

Saturday, December 13rd
  • Instructors: Will Vaughan & Taylor Palmer
Saturday, January 31st
  • Instructors: Helen Camisa & Cam Grant
Saturday, February 21st
  • Instructors: Riley Hardwick & Alex Gullason
Saturday, March 28th
  • Instructors: TBD

Time: 3:30pm – 5:30pm
Age: 19+
Level Required: all levels welcome
Cost: Free!

Have a craving for the stage? Come and improvise with professionally trained performers at our free community jam session where you can sign up and play with pros, ams, and everyone in between! If you’ve been itching to get involved in the improv community, this is for you.

Registration is free!

Saturday, February 7th
    • Instructors: Caitlin Maira & Raf Rogers

Time: 3:30pm – 5:30pm
Age: 19+
Level Required: no improv experience is required! 
Workshop Capacity: 22 people
Cost: FREE!

This free workshop for BIPOC identifying folks requires no experience to join! Looking to explore the world of improvisation? Join us for an engaging workshop for BIPOC participants, regardless of prior experience! Dive into the fundamentals of improv during this two-hour session designed specifically for beginners. Experience the joy of “Yes, And!” in a welcoming and supportive atmosphere. This workshop is for people who identify as Black, Indigenous, and/or People of Colour.

Saturday, March 7th
  • Instructors: Jalen Saip & Helen Camisa

Time: 3:30pm – 5:30pm
Age: 19+
Level Required: no improv experience is required!
Workshop Capacity:
22 people
Cost:
FREE!

This two-hour workshop is designed for femme-identifying participants who want to dip their toes into the world of improvisation—and celebrate International Women’s Day in style! Guided by our hilarious mainstage performers, you’ll explore the basics of “Yes, And!” in a warm, supportive space created to champion, uplift, and celebrate women. No experience needed—just bring your curiosity, your boldness, and your sense of fun!

Saturday, February 14th
  • Instructors: Jacki Gunn & Will Vaughan

Time: 3:30pm – 5:30pm
Age: 19+
Level Required: no improv experience required! 
Workshop Capacity: 11 duos
Cost: $60 per pair.Only 1 ticket is required per two people!

Do you and your partner want to try something new and fun on Valentine’s Day? Have you always wanted to try improv, but don’t want to try it alone? Already love improv, and want to get your friend into it? This is the perfect workshop for all of those things!

This is a Valentine’s Special Workshop for two people to try improv together! Through many fun partner exercises, come enjoy a fun, friendly, and supportive environment to learn the magic of “Yes, And!”

Couples, situationships, friends, pals, duos, or some person you met off the street are all welcome. We will not exclude you if you aren’t dating the person you’re learning with. But do keep in mind we will not be pairing up strangers for this event.

School Bookings

Are you looking to book a fieldtrip for your class?

House Teams Program

Are you looking to find more info and how to get involved in The Improv Centre’s House Teams program?

The Improv Centre House Teams Program is a 6-month mentorship program consisting of both training and performance. The goal of the program is to build upon the improvisational skills of developing players in the community, and to create an accessible, professional, concentrated training program that focuses on the story-based short and mid-form style of our company.

House Teams are created by the Artistic Team and consist of 6-8 performers who work together for the duration of their 6-month program. This enables the team to have consistency in their lesson plans, note sessions, and format-work. During this time the team is also welcomed to perform together, or with other improvisers, at other venues.

House Teams are assigned a Mainstage Coach who is responsible for the training and performance formatting of their House Team.

House Team members are expected to fully commit and attend all weekly rehearsals/performances. In order to participate in performances, House Team members must attend their team’s rehearsals. They can expect to spend 2 hours a week in either rehearsal or performance. The Coach will lead each rehearsal, as well as attend the performances, providing notes afterwards.

We are proud to be a company of working actors – if you book a role and it requires you to be unavailable for an extended period, let us know! We encourage outside work. If a Team member is unavailable for rehearsals on a regular basis for unexplained reasons, their position may be forfeited without refund.

*Please note: Although TIC hopes that the House Team Program will give many performers the skills and experience needed to become a Mainstage performer, being a member of House Teams DOES NOT guarantee the eventual graduation to Mainstage.

Applications for House Teams are currently closed. Check back for information about the next season!

About House Teams:

The Improv Centre House Teams Program is a 6-month mentorship program consisting of both training and performance. The goal of the program is to build upon the improvisational skills of developing players in the community, and to create an accessible, professional, concentrated training program that focuses on the story-based short and mid-form style of our company. 

House Teams are created by the Artistic Team and consist of 6-8 performers who work together for the duration of their 6-month program. This enables the team to have consistency in their lesson plans, note sessions, and format-work. During this time the team is also welcomed to perform together, or with other improvisers, at other venues.

House Teams are assigned a Mainstage Coach who is responsible for the training and performance formatting of their House Team. A fee of $65/month per performer is required in order to pay their Coach. The fee will be collected monthly. If this hinders your ability to participate, please include this in your application and we will determine how to make the program accessible.

House Team members are expected to fully commit and attend all weekly rehearsals/performances. In order to participate in performances, House Team members must attend their team’s rehearsals. They can expect to spend 2 hours a week in either rehearsal or performance. The Coach will lead each rehearsal, as well as attend the performances, providing notes afterwards.

We are proud to be a company of working actors – if you book a role and it requires you to be unavailable for an extended period, let us know! We encourage outside work. If a Team member is unavailable for rehearsals on a regular basis for unexplained reasons, their position may be forfeited without refund.

*Please note: Although TIC hopes that the House Team Program will give many performers the skills and experience needed to become a Mainstage performer, being a member of House Teams DOES NOT guarantee the eventual graduation to Mainstage.

 

TIC Diversity Scholarship

The Improv Centre welcomes and supports people of all backgrounds and identities, and we are committed to increasing diversity and representation in our classrooms and on our stage. Creating space for diversity on stage allows for diverse stories to be told, reaching audiences in different ways and attracting new audiences who see themselves represented on stage.

TIC Diversity Scholarship is available for folks who identify as BIPOC, LGBTQIA2S+, people with disabilities or any other marginalized group. Our community needs performers like you – we want to support you on your journey in comedy!

Please note that priority is given to students who have not yet received a scholarship. Students who have previously received a scholarship are welcome to apply again and we ask that you fill out an application for each and every class that you would like to attend. 

To apply for the diversity scholarship, please fill out the following form and we will respond within three business days.

Financial Aid

Financial Aid is Available!

If you’re interested in our courses, but cannot reasonably afford our fees due to reasons beyond your control, you can apply for financial aid. The Improv Centre is committed to making comedy accessible to anyone who wants to take one of our classes and offers Financial Aid Scholarships to students where finances are a barrier.

Please note that priority is given to students who have not yet received a scholarship. Students who have previously received a scholarship are welcome to apply again and we ask that you fill out an application for each and every class that you would like to attend. 

To apply for financial aid, please fill out the following form and we will respond within three business days.