What to expect from the Vancouver International Improv Festival 2015

The Vancouver International Improv Festival returns to Granville Island for its sixteenth year. Featuring local and international improvisers, each show is stacked with talented groups itching to perform on the three different stages.

In its largest year to date, VIIF takes over three venues on Granville Island this October: Performance Works, The Waterfront Theatre and The Improv Centre. These venues are all within walking distance of one another so it’s easy to hop between them to catch different shows each evening.

Photo Credit: Instant Theatre

VIIF features improv groups from all around North America, including Atlanta’s all- African American Dark Side of the Room, Chicago duo Pitsil & Stamen, and Toronto’s powergroup Kevin, which combines improvisers from the sketch companies PicnicFace, Second City and Sex T-Rex.

The festival also features local talent such as The Sunday Service, Hip.Bang!, Vancouver Theatre Sports, Off Key Improv as well as a number of other local improv groups that are ready to take the VIIF stage by storm.

Photo Credit: Instant Theatre

Another highlight of the festival is the International ensemble, which takes improvisers from all around the world and throws them together in performance to showcase some of the brightest improvisers on the scene. This year is especially monumental as it features three ensembles wrought with talented improvisers: two international ensembles and one local ensemble.

Photo Credit: Dark Side of the Room

Each day of the festival also features a number of unique improv workshops lead by an amazing group of instructors. Improvisers of any skill level are encouraged to check these workshops out as there is a number of different packages available.

For individual show tickets, go to the VIIF website. There are lots of different ticketing options that spread across the three venues but the best way to experience VIIF is with the $50 festival pass that gets you into ANY show at ANY venue during the entire length of the festival.

Vancouver International Improv Festival runs from October 6 – 10 at Performance Works (1218 Cartwright St, Vancouver), The Waterfront Theatre (1412 Cartwright Street, Vancouver) and The Improv Centre (1502 Duranleau Street, Vancouver).