Improvisation in British Columbia
Cities
Historical Moments
Vancouver TheatreSports League Founded
Keith Johnstone's 1980 Vancouver workshop catalyzed the formation of the Vancouver TheatreSports League, formally incorporated as a BC Society in 1981 and home to Colin Mochrie among its inaugural performers.
Instant Theatre Company Founded in Vancouver
Instant Theatre Company was founded in Vancouver in 1993 or 1994, beginning in Gastown and establishing long-form improv as a complement to the city's existing Theatresports tradition.
Tickle Me Pickle Founded in Richmond, BC
Jon Lee-Son founded Tickle Me Pickle Theatre Sports Improv Society in Richmond, British Columbia in 1999, creating the first organized improv troupe in the city and the predecessor organization to Richmond Improv Theatre Society.
Vancouver International Improv Festival Launches
Instant Theatre Company launched the Vancouver International Improv Festival in 1999, establishing one of North America's longest-running dedicated improv festivals.
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.
Vancouver TheatreSports Opens Dedicated Granville Island Theatre
Vancouver TheatreSports League opened its purpose-built 186-seat theatre at 1502 Duranleau Street on Granville Island in 2011, naming it The Improv Centre and expanding to 12 shows per week.
The Improv Centre Opens on Granville Island
Vancouver TheatreSports League opened its purpose-built 186-seat theatre at 1502 Duranleau Street on Granville Island in 2011, naming it The Improv Centre and expanding to 12 shows per week.
Sour Dog Theatre Founded in Calgary
Ali Froggatt, Sarah Ferguson, and Quinn Contini founded Sour Dog Theatre in Calgary, Alberta in 2014, the company that would later become Tightrope Theatre in Vancouver.
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.
Sour Dog Theatre Rebrands as Tightrope Theatre
In 2020 the company rebranded from Sour Dog Theatre to Tightrope Theatre, completing its transition to its Vancouver Mount Pleasant identity.
Vancouver TheatreSports League Rebrands as The Improv Centre
In 2021 the organization officially changed its name from Vancouver TheatreSports League to The Improv Centre, reflecting its evolution into a multi-format improv training and performance organization.
Vancouver TheatreSports League Renamed The Improv Centre
In 2021 the organization formally adopted The Improv Centre as its official registered name, completing the transition from its founding identity as Vancouver TheatreSports League.
Garden City Improv Founded in Victoria, BC
Kevin Matviw and Nash Park founded Garden City Improv in Victoria, BC in September 2021, establishing the city's first professional improv training centre with Second City-trained instruction.
Includes moments from child regions. View full timeline →
How to Reference This Page
The Improv Archive. (2026). British Columbia. Retrieved March 17, 2026, from https://improvarchive.org/locales/north-america/canada/british-columbia
The Improv Archive. "British Columbia." The Improv Archive, 2026. https://improvarchive.org/locales/north-america/canada/british-columbia.
The Improv Archive. "British Columbia." The Improv Archive, 2026, https://improvarchive.org/locales/north-america/canada/british-columbia. Accessed March 17, 2026.
The Improv Archive is a systemically maintained repository. The archive itself acts as the corporate author.