Vancouver International Improv Festival

We almost missed this one… The Vancouver International Improv Festival runs Oct 7th to 11th at the Roundhouse Performance Centre.  We haven’t been to a show before but we are making plans to check it out on Friday!

From the Vancouver Improv Fest site:

The 9th Annual Festival brings together the best of spontaneous, original theatre from all over the world

It’s not easy fighting misconceptions, but the Vancouver International Improv Festival is getting good at it. Nine years in, the festival continues to bring the best improvisational performers the world over to Vancouver. The trick, says festival director Alistair Cook, is turning audiences on to improv.

“Many think improv is what’s on TV, like Whose Line Is It Anyway.” Cook says. “That’s a wonderful part of improvised theatre, but it’s not the whole picture, any more than a musical is the entire picture of scripted theatre. There’s a diverse array of improvised theatre styles.”

VIIF has reflected that array. It began as a tournament, pitting local teams against one another. As time went on, however, the landscape shifted. “It became more about learning and growing as performers, coming together and teaching each other different styles,” says Cook. “That’s when I realized this was a festival and not a tournament.” Performers started focusing more on character development and storytelling—essentially, creating spontaneous plays live for the audience.

In the years following, VIIF has attracted dozens of acts from places like Minneapolis, Regina and Slovenia. At the same time, individual ensemble performers have worked under acclaimed directors in workshops, with performances at night. Past directors have included Chicago duo Sutton and Razowsky (Annoyance Theatre) and Bob Dassie (improvOlympic).

Another goal of the festival has always been to attract the public. Guest directors teaches public workshops, and the low cost of festival passes—just $40 for five nights—makes improvisation accessible to all.

This year, the festival is the hottest yet—featuring Winnipeg’s CRUMBS (Best Improvisors in the World, Berlin), Edmonton’s SCRATCH (the “touringest” improv company in the world, back from the Melbourne Fringe Fest) and New York’s 4 Track (Time Out New York’s Best New Improv Show, 2007). And last, but not least, guest director Armando Diaz comes from the Magnet Theatre in NYC to teach the ensemble.

All in all, the 9th Annual Vancouver International Improv Festival is shaping up a success. Cook hopes that the increased awareness will come along with it. “If everyone could see the reach—how many of our best performers come from improvisation—I think everyone would love it.” But mostly, it’s about the joy of creation: “When you develop this rich story and characters out of nothing but a connection, the audience feels it. There’s nothing else like it.”

The Vancouver International Improv Festival runs October 7-11, 2008 at the Roundhouse Theatre. www.vancouverimprovfest.com