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Vancouver Is Awesome is a proud sponsor of the Vancouver International Improv Festival! Taking place at the Performance Works Theatre and Studio 1398 on Granville Island from October 6-11, 2014, in the weeks leading up we'll be sharing stories from this year's fest here on the blog. |
Now celebrating its 15th anniversary, the 2014 Vancouver International Improv Festival (VIIF) promises to be the biggest improv comedy event in the city's history. The Festival is packed with talented improvisers — as far away as New York City and as close as Commercial Drive — all coming together for a week of over 30 shows.
VIIF was created back in 1999 by Alistair Cook, Artistic Director of Instant Theatre and producer of the improv festival, after he returned from the 4th Annual Seattle International Festival of Improv, which was to be lead by Avery Scriber, Keith Johnstone and Del Close.
“I was so inspired by the festival that I decided to produce an impulse-based arts festival right here in Vancouver with improvisational music, comedy and physical theatre,” said Cook.
“That first festival was a huge success, with the highlight being an ensemble of local and international improvisers led by Randy Dixon, Artistic Director of Unexpected Productions in Seattle. That was the beginning of what would become the Vancouver International Improv Festival.”
So what can audiences expect from this year's edition of VIIF?
“To laugh a lot and be surprised by the talent we have packed into our festival,” said Cook. “I think over the years VIIF has become known for our ability to showcase a great mix of outstanding international groups alongside our local comedic legends. There will be a strong mixture of styles, both classic and progressive, and it will be a lot of fun.”
But that’s hardly all — #VIIF2014 also has public and performer workshops, and general awesomeness happening all week long. For more information and to purchase passes, check out vancouverimprovfest.com.
