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ABOUT US
Tightrope Impro Theatre is a company specializing in the art of Improvisation. We produce professional improvised theatre and provide a variety of training rooted in Impro.
what is impro theatre?
Impro or Improv? And what’s the difference?
Both Impro and Improv are short for Improvisation. Keith Johnstone’s seminal book where he laid out many of the theories, practices and games that are still used today, is called IMPRO. Keith began his work at the Royal Court Theatre in London, eventually taking it to the streets around Europe, and this was the shortened term they used. Meanwhile, as groups started appearing in the US, they adopted “improv”. To this day, Impro is more commonly used in Europe, while Improv has spread throughout the US and Canada.
As improv theatres grew across the US, it attracted the stand-up comedy community, and many improv theatres have become a combo of theatrical improvisation and stand-up comedy, with a focus on jokes and a quick laugh.
We have chosen Impro for our work at the Tightrope Studio & Theatre, because our work is deeply rooted in the work of our friend and mentor Keith. It connects us to not only the long tradition of theatrical improvisation, but also of using improvisation as a technique for creating and training in theatre.
By calling our work Impro Theatre, we hope to make Tightrope a home for other theatre techniques like mask, clown, movement, puppetry, dance, video, and performance art. We envision Tightrope as a place where audiences can experience not just deep belly-laughs and squeals, but the full range of human emotions, stories and experiences.
Our History
Tightrope Impro Theatre was formerly Sour Dog Theatre which was founded in 2014 by Ali Froggatt, alongside Sarah Ferguson and Quinn Contini. Sour Dog Theatre officially relocated from Calgary to Vancouver in 2017. In Calgary Sour Dog worked closely with Loose Moose Theatre to produce over 50 improv shows, 4 original formats, 2 Canadian Fringe Festival runs, and 3 consecutive years of The Canmore International Improv Festival.
It has always been the dream to open a theatre dedicated to improvisation- and that dream, thanks to an incredible team is finally becoming a reality.
Our partners
Parkinson's Society of British Columbia
Celebrating 50 years of service! Established in 1969, Parkinson Society British Columbia is a non-profit organization governed by a volunteer Board of Directors. The Society is supported entirely by donations from individuals, members, corporations, foundations, and the dedicated efforts of volunteers.We believe that every person touched by Parkinson's deserves to know that they are not alone in their journey. We are here for you. Our friendly and knowledgeable staff is committed to offering support, sharing reliable information, and raising funds for programs and research.
BC Brain Wellness Program
The BC Brain Wellness Program is an interactive effort to establish clinically relevant lifestyle approaches to complement medical treatment in the clinics at the Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health. Our goal is to establish a provincial network of wellness programs to support people living with chronic brain disorders, their care partners, and healthy agers.
Spontaneous Theatre
Spontaneous Theatre specializes in creating daring productions that feature an audience member as the star of the show. With an ensemble of some of Canada’s top improv and theatre talent, lead by Canadian Comedy Award winner, Rebecca Northan.
“Spontaneous Theatre” also describes our genre of theatre, combining rigorous narrative structure with the thrill of improvisation, our productions not only have audiences leaning forward in their seats, but also encourage repeat viewings, as no two shows are ever the same.
Det Andre Teatret
Det Andre Teatret (DAT) is the largest theatre in Scandinavia with focus on improvisational theatre. Founded in 2011, as Norway's first and only theatre focusing on improvisation, the theatre has grown every year, and in recent years it has welcomed over 30,000 visitors every year, in addition to performing for over 20.000 spectators per year on tour. With over 350 shows every year and touring extensively in schools, theatres and international festivals all over the world, DAT is known for its varied repertoire of scripted and unscripted shows for audiences of all ages. A focus on sincerity, storytelling and a playful risk-loving attitude have earned the company an outstanding reputation for excellence and innovation in improvised theatre within the international theatre community.
International Theatresports Institute
The ITI is one of the largest impro(v) neworks in the world. Membership is inspired by the work of world renowned improvisation pioneer, Keith Johnstone, and we are responsible for overseeing the licensing of his formats: Theatresports™, Gorilla Theatre™, and Maestro Impro™.