blog - IMPROV NIAGARA

Chances are if you’ve performed comedy in Toronto, you’re likely one degree of separation from this episode’s guest; Gary

Rideout Jr., owner of Toronto’s famous Comedy Bar & Director of Business Development at The Second City in Toronto. This episode dives into Gary’s timeline as a budding comedian-turned-business owner and tracks the many successes he’s had along the way, the struggles that come with taking risks and putting yourself out there, as well as some truly great lessons learned along the way.

With the recent tease on social media announcing the opening of a second Comedy Bar location, on the Danforth, we’re thrilled to get to chat with Gary about his journey in Toronto comedy and his excitement for all that’s to come.

This is an episode for comedians and for fans of comedy. You’ll see what it takes to create a space for an entire community of comedy artists; how to foster that community and the heights where it can lead.

KEY CREATIVE TIPS:

Comedy, Writing, Performance, Touring, Marketing, Entrepreneurship, Accessibility.

Nick’s Update:

Editing again, and prepping for NaNoWriMo

Brie’s Update:

Niagara Falls Night of Art, Improv Fallout back at Mahtay Café, Writing Accountability Partner

RESOURCES

Comedy Bar

The Second City

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#StruggleOn

Classes, Improv

Back to Class

August 25, 2021August 25, 2021 admin

By: Dina Senior, Teen Improv Instructor

A new school year is upon us. Though I have been out of school for 16 years, I always feel an excited anticipation for the beginning of September. I love new beginnings, and September has always felt like a fresh start for me. This year is particularly exciting since we will be resuming our in-person classes for youth!

This year beginning on September 7, I will be teaching the Teens classes, which are ages 13-17, and Simon will be teaching the kids ages 8-12. We have a fun-filled semester planned for them which ends is a fun showcase/recital at the end of the semester in December.

Why would a young person want to take an Improv class, you might ask? There are multiple reasons why this is a positive experience for a child or teenager (or even an adult!):

#1 – If your child is already a theatre or film actor, improv will only make them better at their craft. Many auditions in the industry are based in improv, so it is a good skill to have in your cap. In addition, since improv helps you think quickly on your feet, you will know exactly what to do when someone forgets or drops lines in a show (which happens more often in theatre than you’d think!)

#2- Elementary schools and high schools are often big fans of oral presentation. You have to stand in front of a class of your peers and talk about a subject for a certain length of time. Improv can also help with this because we do tons of presenting in front of the class, constantly! Presenting will be a breeze once you have already done it 100+ times. This will iron out any nerves and jitters someone might have before a big presentation for school.

#3 – Improv is a confidence booster for all ages. It forces you a little out of your comfort zone, but in a super fun way that is full of games and adventure!

#4 – Improv helps with creative thinking. Therefore, it can help you be a better creative writer.

#5 – You make new friends! Some of them will be friends for a lifetime!

#6 – We’re going to do it right – It’s been a challenging past several months, and Improv Niagara is dedicated to ensure a safe improv experience. We’re going to be following all of the government’s guidelines with regards to indoor gatherings to make sure everyone can play in a fun and safe environment.

If all of this sounds good to you, please sign your child up for Improv classes before September 7, 2021. Our Artistic Director Brie Watson will also be starting to teach adult classes the same week, so please check out our classes section to sign up and to get more information.

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E70 – Kirk McCullough on the Balance Between Money and Joy

June 28, 2021 admin

https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-b32jz-1075a0c

In this episode, Nick and Brie celebrate the end of the school year with improviser, producer, and Kindergarten teacher Kirk McCullough. Kirk came into the Toronto improv community as one of the most organized show producers on the scene. One half of the improv duo Cadley Brooper, Kirk produces Duo Derby, one of the only live shows to seemingly seamlessly transition to an ideal online improv experience. Having studied at The Second City and now a member of the Assembly, Kirk is bringing positive, supportive and joyful vibes to the community, both online and off.

When it comes to splitting focus between teaching kids and improvising with grown-ups, balance is required, and we learn some of the challenges Kirk has faced along the way when it comes to making sure he’s putting his energy in the right places.

Teacher by day, performer by night. This episode answers the ultimate question: “HOW DOES SHE DO IT?”

Key Creative Tips:

Live / Online Comedy Show Producing, Improv, Teaching, Teaching Online, Finding Balance, Going with the Flow, LGBTQ Pride.

Nick’s Update: No writing. Spending time with Kids.

Brie’s Update: New Second City class on Hosting. Having enough students signed up to hold classes.

RESOURCES:

Cadley Brooper & Duo Derby

More from PATRICK & RYAN

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#StruggleOn

Classes, Improv

What to Expect on Your First Day of Improv Class

February 11, 2021February 11, 2021 admin

A lot of people are nervous when they think about improv. The idea of being

a) on stage
b) in front of a crowd, and
c) completely unprepared

is the stuff of nightmares for some folks.

So it’s understandable that people might have some hesitations when they’re considering learning improv.

I’m here to guide you through your first day of improv class and to put your mind at ease because guess what? Improv isn’t supposed to be scary. It’s supposed to be FUN!

Improv Niagara just started our classes back up. Online, of course, and after DAY 1 of our Intro to Improv class, one of our students sent a follow-up message saying:

“I had a freaking BLAST! I learned some new tools today and am overly excited to continue through this journey. Thank you for opening your tool box and letting me in!”

-Becky B

I love how Becky put this. New tools. Opening up the tool box. What a great metaphor for what actually happens as of DAY ONE of your first improv class.

1. You will learn new tools right away

Yes, one of those tools will be “Yes And.” You’ve probably heard of it. AND you’ll find out a LOT more about how that concept can help you in improv and also in your workplace, in environments where you need to think more creatively and spontaneously, in situations when dealing with your children or your parents and honestly, literally in ANY social situation.

2. You Will Meet People

They might even become your best friends! Improv is inherently a social art form. You need other people to play. When you’re starting from scratch, you share your experiences as a beginner with other people, with your ensemble. This often has a lasting impact.

3. You will Laugh

So much your face might hurt. Be warned. In improv, we’re re-learning what it is to play. We learn that mistakes are gifts. We learn to celebrate our failures. Throughout it all, it turns out grown adults accepting to behave freely and playfully just happens to be hilarious. What an awesome side-effect!

Keep an eye out here on improvniagara.com – our next round of improv classes are set to begin in April 2021 and we’d love to see you take a leap!

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Find Humour and Hope in Improv Online

December 31, 2020December 31, 2020 admin

I wake up to the sounds of little patters running across the roof and small squeaks, punctuated every so often by what I can only assume is a pinecone being dropped from way up high in the branches. Currently the morning squirrels are my only roommates for several kilometres – plus a very small but opinionated cat.

Northern Isolation

Since lockdown began way back in March I moved up north and I’ve been inside and isolated like many of you – only my isolation might be a bit more on the extreme end. Like many of you I’m missing my friends like crazy because (god help me) I’m geographically surrounded by only relatives. All of my pals are a 3 hour drive away, and for those of us without a car, that’s only a 53 hour walk… I’ve looked it up in my moments of desperation.

I know this is a crazy new *hot take*, but lockdown sucks. I do want to make clear that we’re most definitely doing the right thing, and I’m more than happy to follow as many rules as necessary to keep our communities safe. I’m just missing getting to be silly with friends. That’s one of the things I love most about improv; that your job is to make an absolute fool of yourself. You learn to find humour in the absurd and hard times – and when there aren’t any to be had, you know there will be a time where you’re once again called onstage and given an accent you most certainly cannot do and your biggest worry is you’ll pee yourself with laughter. Those days are coming again but for now we’ve got to adapt, and being humans we’re pretty d*mn good at it.

Bringing the Stage Home

That’s why I was so excited when we started doing rehearsals, jams and performances online. I couldn’t stop smiling the first time we all logged on and everyone’s screens loaded in and I could see my friend’s faces again! All in varying levels of coziness and most with a small animal also vying for their attention. I think I can speak for everyone when I say that part of what makes these meetings so fun is the beginning when Brie is trying so hard to herd us all in and focus, but we’re so excited to see each other we just want to talk about anything and everything. Once we got back into the swing of things and started doing scenes again, I remembered how incredibly funny my team members are, and even our odd boxed-in format has led to some cool moments.

We’ve played a dentist’s office scene where I saw far more detail of my friend’s mouths than I ever wanted to (when they weren’t already giggling). Whoosh has gotten 10x more confusing ‘cause our screens often don’t line up the same for everyone, and some garbled video of suggestions have led to some hilarious misunderstandings. But all of these weird idiosyncrasies just make it more fun because we’re all dealing with them together and we’re finding humour in just how silly our situation is.

Right now we’ve lost a lot of what makes a show feel so special, but we’ve also gained some really interesting ideas of what a show can look like. In one of our insta-live series I was performing to my phone propped up on a chair, on a table, stabilized by water bottles, textbooks, and hope. I of course was outside because that’s where my phone gets better reception and had to wear a hat and scarf it was so cold. My chat wasn’t able to load fast enough for me to get suggestions for the scene, so I had to ask my poor partner to sit out there with me in the cold and I would point to them every time I needed a suggestion. They then proceeded to answer “monopoly” three separate times – suggestions were not their strong suit. But still I was smiling and so happy to have the chance to make people laugh again – even if I couldn’t hear them.

Find some Silly

We all know this time has been tough with many of us grieving the loss of loved ones and a lifestyle we didn’t know we would miss. I don’t intend to say that improv is a cure-all or that we’ll magically be ok when this is all over. Our world is changing and so are we, but I urge you to find a silly and fun outlet. Because when all is going to sh*t outside; you can log on, see your friend’s faces, and make each other laugh – and I think that’s a pretty cool thing to be able to do.

Finch James

Improv Niagara Cast Member

Improv, NEWS, Shows

Q & Aaron | Meet Our Awesome New Member

October 13, 2020December 31, 2020 admin

We’re happy to announce, in a time where happy announcements are few and far between, the welcoming of Aaron Boyd to our cast!

Being the new guy, I figured we could all get to know Aaron a little better. I asked the cast to put together a few questions for our new pal. Read on:

Q – Which/What archetype of “child” were you growing up? The cool, bad boy? The studious, quiet one?

This one was very specific, heading deep into Aaron’s backstory.

Aa – I was the nervous quiet kid, looking for approval, but never knowing how to get it. I was always picked last for teams, probably with good reason.

Q – What comedy movie best reflects your style of humour?

OK, now we’re getting on track. Comedy. Relevant. Here we go:

Aa – Airplane.

Honourable mentions: Shaun of the Dead, Sightseers.

Q – Do you have any interesting phobias?

OK great gang. Back to the weirdly personal stuff.

Aa – Arachibutyrophobia. (Fear of Peanut Butter) Probably due to my allergy. (Take note, fans. No Reeses for Aaron!) Also heights without safety equipment. I struggle to climb a ladder, but I have bungee jumped, enjoy air travel, and have done the CN Tower Skywalk!

Q – Can you tell us a little bit about your experience performing comedy?

Finally, the good stuff. (Although it is super good to know about the peanut butter!)

Aa – When I was a kid I wanted to be the funny one, but was too shy to go for it. As David Letterman used to say, “I wasn’t the class clown, but I wrote for him.”

After taking Drama class in High School I finally got the guts up to try some stand-up in my youth groups’s talent shows. The audience seemed to enjoy the jokes I “borrowed” from Robin Williams, but it was my Ronald Reagan impression that really killed.

At University I met a great group of guys, and after creating a sketch comedy show based on Stephen Hawking’s “A Brief History of Time”, we formed Cavalcade of Whimsy and produced several Summerworks and Fringe Festival shows.

*A young Aaron backstage at the Oakville Centre for the Performing Arts.*
*Look. At. That. Hair!*

We all participated in the writing, and I directed and stage managed. For the next (too many) years, I was a non-practicing comedian, with my performances limited to keeping my staff entertained during sales meetings, and the occasional karaoke night, until my friend Kate suggested we attend an Improv Niagara workshop. I caught the comedy bug once again, and look forward to playing with this awesome group of performers.

Q – Any weird piercings?

OK. This has gone too far. Thanks for reading folks. And don’t miss your chance to see Aaron in socially-distanced action at our “Laughs & Lattes” show Saturday, October 17th at the Queen Bean Café.

Birthday, Improv, Shows

Cheers to Two Years & The Best is Yet to Come!

March 27, 2020March 27, 2020 admin

On this, the date that would have been Improv Fallout's 2nd Anniversary Show, rest assured there's nothing we wish we could be doing more than performing improv for you, dressed to the nines, on stage at our St. Catharines home of two years, Mahtay Café.

Instead, as I type this, I’m wearing yoga pants I haven’t warn in two years because over the past few weeks I’ve worn all my better yoga pants, and they’re now all in the wash and these are all I have left.

The point is, we can’t be on stage right now. We’ve made the responsible choice of staying home for the sake of keeping our community safe. Also, we tried to break into Mahtay this morning and Chris fought us all off with only his bare hands. It was quite a sight to behold.

Instead, we offer you this – the written word. A post from each of Improv Niagara’s performers, who are holding you in our thoughts during this time of collective uncertainty.

We miss you, but think about how ballin’ the party will be when we all get to be together again. – Brie

We’ve had some good times these past two years. Fun fact: It is Improv Fallout’s 2nd anniversary, but Improv Niagara has been going on a little longer, closer to three years.

Back when we weren’t called Improv Niagara yet, it was a very different show. I clumped together a few friends in Niagara who I knew could do improv, and Brie brought her Toronto “What If?” improv show. We packed the house at a tiny venue in Thorold called “Think Space.” It was so successful I recruited a few more people and we did a full run of monthly shows this way in the summer from June to August at Warehouse in St. Catharines.

But now here we are.

Here are a few highlights that come to my mind since last year:

Our intimate Q&A session with Colin Mochrie
Winning Fallout in January
Many hilarious rehearsals where I nearly pee my pants and my ribs hurt from laughing so much
Hosting our first big corporate teaching gig (over 250 people!)

And, I could name more! The list goes on and on!

Thanks so much for another year of great memories. As soon as we are able, we will resume our Fallout Anniversary show and we can all cheers together to another great year, and more to come!

I can’t believe it’s been 2 years. I remember auditioning and being super nervous to just throw myself into a scene. Then, after getting a taste of that live adrenaline, in front of a huge group of people, I couldn’t get enough!

We now have so many committed fans who come out every month to play and support our troupe; we’ve become a big extended family at Mahtay Café!

I am proud to be an original IN member and so thankful for our regulars and our hard working troupe. We take funny very seriously and wouldn’t be as funny without our laugh track of an audience supporting us every month.

I have been so thankful for Improv Niagara and Mahtay Cafe over the past two years. In some ways it seems as though there is no way that we have been going for two years now and in other ways it feels so natural it seems as though we have been doing this forever. Mahtay and the patrons have been so kind and giving to us; it has been a joy to be involved in Improv Fallout. It is easily the highlight of my month and am looking forward to all that is to come.

There have been so many amazing memories, but there are two that come to mind naturally. I know everyone is thinking it, but the first one is that I was the FIRST EVER IMPROV FALLOUT CHAMPION!!!! I really set the bar for the group. So even now, as an audience marvels at the talent before them, I really feel that I am in their mind as well. You’re welcome.

Memory number two is when my extended family from Michigan came to see our show. Parents, cousins, and aunts. They absolutely loved it. They wanted to talk to everyone after the show and even asked to come up on stage to take pictures with all of the performers. When you invite people to a show (particularly family), there can be some anxiety about whether they will like it. That never crossed my mind and apparently didn’t cross theirs either. I was proud of our group and of the fans that get so into it that it becomes a big fun party every month.

Thank you everyone. Whether you have been to one show or all of them. We love you. We are so thankful that we can do what we love for such kind, wonderful people. Thank you Mahtay Cafe for giving this opportunity and cheers to many more crazy Fallout Nights.

I’m definitely missing performing for our wonderful crowds, even though I’m still wondering if they’re laughing with me or at me…

Whatever it is, it’s special and it and warms the cockles of my wee meaty heart.

Know that I’m laughing back at you and that I just scared this poor lady in line in front of me as I’m writing this.

I wasn’t with the troupe for its first year, so I had a lot of catching up to do in terms of getting warmed up to the cast and the audience.

I’m shy and guarded in the beginning so it took me a while to get there, but I remember my tipping point for letting my guard down to the audience was in an extra show back in September. The format called for each of us performing to embody a character throughout the whole set. That was my third show with Improv Niagara, so I thought it’s now or never to get as silly as I really am in rehearsal. I chose to become a pigeon man — my arms as its wings, my feet its talons. At one point in the show, I was flailing my “talons” in the air, and my “wings” went everywhere, because that’s how pigeon people fight “snakes that are coming out of the ground”. I’m thankful to the audience because after that, I never had to worry about committing to a character and looking like a fool on stage.

Wow, two years! I’ve been so incredibly lucky to witness the birth and experience the growth of this Niagara-based improv troupe.

I remember humble beginnings, auditioning in a small after-school classroom in Fonthill to now, monthly sold out shows in St. Catharines’ Mahtay Café.

I remember attending each show with, beverage in hand and a busy month in the rear view mirror. Then, months later, being a part of the show and looking forward to every second of stage time.

I remember rehearsing and discussing technique, referring to improv masters such as Colin Mochrie. Then, weeks later having the opportunity to discuss technique with Colin Mochrie!

I have two years of amazing memories with Improv Niagara and am looking forward to many many more!

Thanks to our improv team and organizers and all of you amazing audience members. I can confidently say; cheers to two years and the best is yet to come!

Being part of the IN ensemble for this past year has been so wonderful – it’s given me the chance to play with some incredible folks and laugh a ton alongside them.

Following university improv, I wasn’t sure what my future in performance looked like, but when the IN members welcomed me whole-heartedly into the group, I was at ease because I knew I would be able to perform with super-talented people who were also so so kind.

I’m so thankful to call this cast my friends, and am so looking forward to performing even more silly scenes with these pals!

Who would have thought we’d be here? Two years ago, when Improv Niagara started, the idea of getting to perform every single month was such a dream to me, and one that I never thought I’d see.

Now, not only do I get to perform improv on stage in front of an audience all the tram, but I get to it all with a group of people who never fail to make me smile.

My time in Improv Niagara has given me confidence in myself as well as allowing me to put my confidence in a team that I know will always have my back.

In February 2018, I was living in a basement in Merritton, raising my sweet little child, working as a breakfast server and going about the simplicity of life. My child was about 2.5 years old and for a while, I’d been craving to put myself back out there, get some acting work, feed the creative soul, etc.

I wasn’t entirely convinced when I first saw a post for an improv audition if improv comedy was something I wanted to dip my toes in; not because I wasn’t interested, but because I wasn’t sure I’d be any good. It frightened me. I had some training, but it just seemed like the most bizarre thing that an improv group was being formed here- in Niagara!

It definitely peaked my curiosity. I read more and discovered that actually, these people were the real deal; trained professionals and instructors from Second City, experience at Bad Dog, studied at Humber. Could this be? That I wouldn’t have to drive to Toronto to take classes? That I wouldn’t have to spend gas money and arrange child care to just play and have fun with some local comedians?

I arranged to audition. When I got there, the vibe was so inviting, so friendly, and just felt cool.

Over the next few weeks I kept attending some rehearsals and making new friends, until eventually it became very clear that our group was forming not just a solid improv troupe, but a really strong family!

Improv Niagara turned into more that I could have possibly imagined and entered my life at the most opportune time. We love performing our monthly show at Mahtay, and we love seeing all of our fans and audience members old and new. We will continue to get up on the stage and infuse you with buckets of laughs.

Thank you for the support!

Two years have gone by so quickly. I guess the saying ‘time flies when you’re having fun,’ holds true. I look forward to every show.

As a full time artist, it brings me joy to see the Niagara community fully support Improv Niagara and our creative endeavours.

Whether through attending shows regularly, sharing our content, or opening up new opportunities for us to share laughter with your business, family or team members – it’s a gratifying experience.

I look forward to seeing what our third, fourth and fifth seasons of Fallout will bring.

Hello everyone!

I can’t believe it’s already been two years! From being invited to an Improv Niagara workshop, which then lead to an audition, and then lights up – stage performances! What a remarkable little journey this has been for me so far.

We’ve rehearsed in our very own space, which we called home for a while! We also practiced in basements. We performed improv in the park, and also in
some groovy Toronto locations. Birthday celebrations, and also shows in the street. (Yes, I mean the actual street.) It’s clear there’s nowhere this group won’t go to perform, and no venue too big or too small.

I’ve been lucky enough this past couple years to say I’m a part of it.

Thank you to everyone who has come out to our shows! You are the reason we do this. We do our best to bring some fun and entertainment your way. So thank, you thank, you thank you.

Adios!

Thank you, Niagara. Please stay safe.

NEWS

Improv Niagara & COVID-19

March 17, 2020October 12, 2020 admin

Update: March 17th

With recommendations now in place on behalf of the Ontario government requesting the cancellation of gatherings of 50 or more people until March 31st, Improv Niagara will be taking the following steps to do our part in flattening the curve:

SHOWS

CANCELLED: Our March 21st Improv Campground show at Camp Cataract has been cancelled.
POSTPONED: Our 2 Year Anniversary Celebration Improv Fallout show will be postponed until Friday April 24, 2020.

CLASSES

Our next set of classes are still set to begin in April. However, we are keeping a close eye on the latest developments and will adjust accordingly based on Public Health recommendations.

We thank you for your understanding and continued support. Our favourite thing to do is to make Niagara laugh. We hope that taking these measures will allow us to get back to making our community smile as quickly and as safely as possible.

In the meantime, take care of each other.

If you have questions, suggestions or recommendations, please do not hesitate to contact us at info@improvniagara.com or 905-651-7768.

Events, NEWS

Emerging Erica

February 7, 2020March 26, 2020 admin

We’d like to send SO MANY congratulations to Improv Niagara cast-mate Erica Sherwood for two major back-to-back artistic accomplishments.

Firstly, she’s been nominated for the Emerging Artist Awards in the City of St. Catharines Arts Awards and her cast-mates at IN couldn’t be more proud of her!

Secondly, this evening at Mahtay Café & Lounge, alongside fellow artist Lauren Regier, Sherwood premiered her gallery exhibit “What She Sees: Visual Arts of Erica Sherwood.” Her pieces will remain on the gallery walls at Mahtay until mid-March, and we highly encourage everyone to check ’em out. Maybe you’ll be inspired to take one home!

Once again, huge congratulations Erica! We’re so proud and always in awe of your creative talents!

The cast of Improv Niagara on stage at Mahtay Café, posing with Colin Mochrie.

Uncategorized

In Conversation with Colin Mochrie

January 30, 2020December 31, 2020 admin

What do you say when you get that chance to meet one of your role models? Well, it turns out quite a bit! Last week, the crew from Improv Niagara got to have a private sit-down talk with Colin Mochrie, on our home turf of Mahtay Café, for over an hour!

We talked about everything Improv: What are his favourite games? (“Greatest Hits” with Ryan were always memorable ones for him.) What was it like to audition for Whose Line is it Anyway? (He got turned down the first time he auditioned for the British version of the show, believe it or not!)

We also got to learn a lot about his new show “Hyprov,” where he performs with professional hypnotist Asad Mecci. In this show, Mecci brings people on stage and hypnotizes them, removing all their fears and self-doubt, then proceeds to get them to improvise scenes with Colin. Most of the IN team also got to see the show later on in the evening and we were all thoroughly entertained. We're so thankful Colin took the time to meet with us! Maybe someday we will all get to meet again... maybe even on stage!

Dina Senior

Co-Founder, Improv Niagara