Paper Street Theatre is a Victoria, British Columbia company founded in 2011 by Dave Morris that specializes in theatrical long-form improvisation, performing works that study and then spontaneously embody the styles of playwrights and theatrical genres without any script. The company opened a dedicated studio in Victoria in March 2015, produces the Paper Street Theatre Improv Festival, and has performed at festivals in Vancouver, London, Amsterdam, Berlin, Seattle, and Romania.
History
Founding (2011)
Dave Morris founded Paper Street Theatre in Victoria, BC in 2011 alongside original members including Missie Peters, Byron Kjeldsen, and Chris Gabel. Morris had been running improv classes in Victoria since 2009 before establishing the company. Paper Street was built on a distinctive approach: studying the styles of playwrights and theatrical traditions, then using that knowledge as material for fully improvised performances that embody those styles without scripted text.
Studio and Festival (2015 to Present)
In March 2015 the company opened its own dedicated studio space in Victoria, providing a permanent home for rehearsals, classes, and smaller performances. Paper Street also produces the Paper Street Theatre Improv Festival in Victoria. International festival appearances have taken the company to Vancouver, London, Amsterdam, Berlin, Seattle, Chicago, and Romania, with shows including "An Improvised Quentin Tarantino" (Pick of the Fringe at the 2013 Victoria Fringe) and the ensemble narrative piece "Ants."
Artistic Identity
Paper Street Theatre approaches improvisation as a theatrical art form, studying dramatic styles and playwrights to create fully improvised works that embody those traditions without scripted material.
Key Events
Paper Street Theatre Founded in Victoria, BC
Dave Morris founded Paper Street Theatre in Victoria, British Columbia in 2011, creating a company focused on theatrical long-form improvisation that embodies specific playwright styles and theatrical genres.
Paper Street Theatre Opens Victoria Studio
Paper Street Theatre opened a dedicated studio space in Victoria, BC in March 2015, providing a permanent home for rehearsals, classes, and performances.
How to Reference This Page
The Improv Archive. (2026). Paper Street Theatre. Retrieved March 17, 2026, from https://improvarchive.org/companies/paper-street-theatre
The Improv Archive. "Paper Street Theatre." The Improv Archive, 2026. https://improvarchive.org/companies/paper-street-theatre.
The Improv Archive. "Paper Street Theatre." The Improv Archive, 2026, https://improvarchive.org/companies/paper-street-theatre. Accessed March 17, 2026.
The Improv Archive is a systemically maintained repository. The archive itself acts as the corporate author.