We recently welcomed our newest improv performer Heather Eyman to the cast, and since she’ll be performing with us, we thought it best to do a big of digging (eg, we straight up asked her a bunch of questions) to get to know her a bit better.
Q: Heather, what’s your favourite thing about Niagara?
A: I love being outdoors, so my favourite thing about Niagara is how many awesome places there are to find to go hiking, canoeing and on other outdoor adventures. I’ve lived here pretty much my whole life, and I still discover places I didn’t know existed!
Q: Is there a specific person in your real life that you emulate on stage?
A: I think I take little interesting elements and influence from lots of people in my life.
What drew you to fitness?
(For clarity’s sake, Heather is also a fitness instructor at Fit Collective, so if you were wondering what that had to do with improv, now you’re caught up!)
A: I’ve always loved sports and fitness! I have so much energy to burn off every day that I get grumpy if I don’t move. My passion is helping others find excitement in exercise and movement.
Q: Favourite comedy of all time?
Hot Fuzz & The Blues Brothers
Q: Who were your favourite funny people growing up?
A: Jim Carrey. Every Whose Line cast member. Robin Williams.
Q: Where did your need to do improv come from?
A: Life’s too serious most of the time. We need to have more fun and laugh more. Improv makes people happy, and I like being a part of that.
Q: Are you thinking of branching out to other acting outlets?
A: I wouldn’t say no if other opportunities came my way!
Q: Do you have a default character your body does naturally on stage?
A: My big, inner tough guy likes to appear on stage. That, and the character that moves erratically for no particular reason.
Q: Since before you tried improv and now that you’ve performed with Improv Niagara, have you noticed any difference in how you observe it?
A: On stage, particular moments can feel like an eternity, but from the audience’s perspective it was just a brief second or pause. I’m trying to get more comfortable with silence and pauses.
Q: What was one thing about improv you didn’t know until you trained or performed?
I’ve learned so much! Listen to your scene partners; pay attention to the little details; there’s humour in the most mundane things; explore the scene – it’s not a race!
Q: Who would win in a fight: Pink Panther or Scooby Doo. And why?
I’m embarrassed to admit how much time I actually spent thinking about this question. Based on size and stature, I’m gonna have to give this one to Scoob if he’s able to land a few shots right off the bat and use his size and strength to his advantage. Pink Panther’s pretty lean and probably has better endurance than Scooby (too many Scooby Snacks), so Pink Panther could stand a chance if he can dodge Scooby’s shots and tire him out.
Q: If you were stuck on a desert island, what 3 objects would you HAVE to bring with you?
A: Presuming I already have access to shelter, water, and food:
- Some type of music player with music (maybe a Zune because I don’t think those things can break)
- a book about stars and space cause there’d be no light pollution and you could see everything in the sky
- and a knife because that just feels really practical.
Q: Favourite ice cream flavour?
A: Chocolate peanut butter.
Q: Favourite pizza topping?
A: Pepperoni. Oh man, that’s so boring. I promise, I’m not boring!
Q: Any secret, unusual talents?
A: I can make my eyes move in opposite directions.
Q: Favourite James Bond movie?
I only VERY recently watched my first James Bond movie (Don’t come at me.) I think I’d say the newest one! What the hell was it called lol?
Q: Toilet paper roll: over or under
Is this even a question? Over. Always.
Heather Eyman everybody. Don’t miss your chance to catch Heather performing live with Improv Niagara! Stay tuned for all upcoming shows! (What’s a zune?)
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.
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.
Wow, two years! I’ve been so incredibly lucky to witness the birth and experience the growth of this Niagara-based improv troupe.
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.
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.
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. 
Hello everyone!