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The Improv Centre on Granville Island in Vancouver

The Improv Centre

The Improv Centre is a comedy club that runs shows and classes on Granville Island. It hosts theatresports-style performances and other events.

As of March 2024, the venue runs shows on almost every day of the week except for select Mondays and Tuesdays.

 


To learn about what’s showing see The Improv Centre‘s website or our article about What’s Showing at The Improv Centre. To learn about the venue in general, including its shows, continue reading.


 

Improv Centre

 

Vancouver’s Improv Centre Comedy Club

The Improv Centre is a highly-acclaimed Vancouver-based improv comedy company. Throughout the year the company runs a variety of shows and classes, from family-friendly comedy to adults-only to seasonal classics.

Founded in 1980, Vancouver TheatreSports first resided in the Back Alley Theatre. Throughout the years it has consistently drawn large crowds and now has its own theatre, The Improv Centre on Granville Island.

The Improv Centre has won multiple International Improv Comedy Awards as well as starred in several television specials. The centre runs a dozen or so shows a week, 52 weeks a year. In good years the Improv Centre entertains more than 60,000 people annually.

 

The Improv Centre on Granville Island

 

Improv Centre Location

Located at 1502 Duranleau Street, The Improv Centre is on Granville Island by False Creek in downtown Vancouver. The theatre is near the entrance to Granville Island not far from the Kids’ Market and Granville Island Brewing.

Note: Pay parking is in effect throughout Granville Island between 11:00 am and 6:00 pm. That’s okay though as most shows at The Improv Centre take place in the evening, so that’s when parking is free.

 


For tickets and full details about the venue, see The Improv Centre‘s website.


 

The Improv Centre Actors

 

What’s Showing at The Improv Centre?

The Improv Centre usually offers live theatre most evenings of the week and features holiday-themed shows at Valentine’s Day, St. Patrick’s Day, Halloween, Christmas and other special seasonal occasions.

 

2024 Lineup at The Improv Centre

The following are spring shows scheduled as of late March in 2024:

 

Special Feature Shows

  • Stand Up at The Improv – stand-up comedy with some of the best in the business on Sunday, April 28th. The show begins at 7:30 pm and tickets start at about $23.

 

Regular Ongoing Shows

  • Choose-Day – an interactive show in which the audience has a say in each scene. It runs on Tuesdays at 7:30 pm. Tickets cost as low as $10 each.
  • Date Night – funny shows about dating, relationships and love take place on Wednesdays at 7:30 pm and run for 90 minutes.
  • Thursday Presents: Friday Jr. – an early start to the weekend, this fast-paced show features accessible pricing and Happy Hour drinks on Thursday nights.
  • TheatreSports – two teams of improv specialists compete in entertaining matches on Fridays and Saturdays. Shows run for 90 minutes each. General admission starts at about $26.
  • House Teams – a showcase of talent featuring one team in the first half and a different team in the second half. Shows take place on Sunday nights. Tickets cost $10 each and Happy Hour specials are also available.

 


For tickets and full details about the venue, see The Improv Centre‘s website.


 

Improv Centre Shows

 

Other Typical Shows

There are usually no shows on Mondays, and shows on Tuesdays are only during peak seasons. Feature shows usually run for a limited time and have a seasonal theme (like for Christmas or Valentine’s Day). When there is no feature show then there is usually an extra performance of Classic TheatreSports instead.

 


For more information about the venue, see The Improv Centre‘s website.


 

Ticket Prices

Shows at The Improv Centre are usually very affordable.

As of March 2024, tickets for The Improv Centre shows range from about $10 to $27 per person. The cheapest tickets are for shows with accessible pricing, whereas the most expensive shows are typically for shows with a seasonal theme.

 


For more information about the venue visit The Improv Centre‘s website.


 

Theatresports Night at The Improv Centre

 

What Is Improv?

Improv, or improvisational theatre, is a form of live theatre that is unscripted and unplanned. Most often improv is in the comedy genre.

In a typical improv show a team (or teams) of actors do short skits. They are given scenes to play out (sometimes with input provided randomly by the crowd) and the actors have to perform on the spot. It’s typically very funny and not infrequently involves singing and audience participation.

On different days and times of the year the shows have different themes. There are Christmas-themed shows in December, nights with dating and romance themes around Valentine’s Day, and skits about mothers and mothers-in-law around Mother’s Day.

 

Improv Centre

 

Things to Know About the Shows

Below is some useful information to help you make the most of your experience at The Improv Centre on Granville Island.

  • You can purchase tickets for performances either online or at the venue.
  • When arriving for a show, The Improv Centre recommends going early, around 30 minutes before show time. Don’t arrive late or you won’t be allowed in (at least not until the intermission).
  • Shows that are 90 minutes in length have an intermission. During that time latecomers can generally get in. Performances with a duration of an hour or less, however, do not have intermissions.
  • The same as with cinemas and other live theatre venues, attendees must turn off their phones during performances. Also, neither photos nor video recordings are permitted. You can, however, take photos before and after each show as well as during the intermission.
  • Food and beverages are available for purchase and can be consumed in the theatre during the show. Outside food and drinks, however, are not permitted.
  • As some of the content is more for mature audiences, viewer discretion is recommended. Check the age rating of each show before booking tickets for the whole family.
  • The Improv Centre is wheelchair accessible. As there isn’t a lot of accessible seating, however, guests are advised to contact the Box Office at least a full day before a show and the booking of tickets.

 


To learn more about the venue click The Improv Centre.


 

Improv Centre on Granville Island

 

The Improv Comedy Institute

In addition to its theatre shows, The Improv Centre also runs improv classes through its Improv Comedy Institute. There are classes for every acting skill level from beginner to advanced.

There are usually Drop-In Workshops on Saturdays from 3:30 pm to 5:30 pm. The workshops are for anyone wanting to learn the basics of improvisation. There are also Community Jam sessions on the last Saturday of every month, which is when anyone can get on stage for free.

The Improv Centre runs improv classes and workshops for businesses as well. It also does improv for events and produces over 150 custom shows for corporations and other organizations every year.

 

Improv Centre

 

Other Information

For more details about the venue and its shows, see The Improv Centre website.

For an idea of what to expect at special holiday season-themed performances, see our article about Valentine’s Shows at The Improv Centre.

Other articles that might be of interest include the following: