Firecracker! Explodes on Improv Scene

 

Firecracker (n): 1) frequently used to describe women who are not afraid to speak their mind, and will often do so. 2) one who is exciting, unpredictable, tough, hard-nosed, and free living; a very intense or lively person.

BANG!

Watch out Vancouver as Vancouver TheatreSports™ (VTSL) lights a fuse to Vancouver’s improv comedy scene shattering that it is presently (and has been historically), a male-dominated art form. Starting Thursday, July 21 and running every Thursday evening at 9:15 p.m., VTSL presents Firecracker – Dynamite ladies. Explosive comedy.

“One of VTSL’s mandates is to increase the diversity in our company, and in the improv world,” states Executive Director Jay Ono. “I am very proud of the fact that VTSL’s ensemble includes very strong female improvisers. In addition, almost 50 percent of our Rookie League and Improv Comedy Institute (ICI) are women. This is an exciting time for the development of the art form thanks to these amazing improvisers – they rank among the best anywhere.”

Firecracker! is inspired by the success of an earlier VTSL experimental production, called Girl Jam. Created by VTSL ensemble member and ICI Director Margret Nyfors, Girl Jam ran for eight shows in the fall of 2015. “We had such an incredible response to this innovative format that I wanted to expand upon it by creating a feature show. It’s a different type of improv when only women are present on stage,” says VTSL Artistic Director Denise Jones. “Women improvisers take more risks and really play on the edge when they play with only other women. The resulting comedy is inventive, unpredictable and uproarious. These ladies bring great energy to their performances and deliver a truly unique improv experience.”

Through the medium of improv comedy, Firecracker! will explore what it means to be a woman in Vancouver. Themes such as dating and romance, career and work/life balance, female friendships and body image will all be examined through the audience suggestions motivating the improvisers’ wicked wit.

Inaugural shows will honour a special female guest whose stories of their life, work and achievements will inspire the performance. We are delighted to have the following guests join us for these performances:

July 28: Cassandra Anderton – Good Life Vancouver, Wine/Food Writer, Life-style Commentator

August 4: Briana Buckmaster – Actress, Sheriff Donna on Supernatural

August 11: Sadie Campbell – Singer, songwriter

August 18: Burgundy Brixx – Burlesque entertainer

August 25: Beverley Elliott – Actress, ‘Granny on ABC’s hit series Once Upon a Time

Sept.1: Morgan Brayton – Comedienne, CBC’s The Debaters , Girls Like Me

Sept. 8: Nicole Oliver – Actor, Producer, Director, the voice of Princess Celestia on My Little Pony.

Subsequent performances may not always include a special guest. However, all will celebrate the fun and foibles of female life in early 21st Century Vancouver.

As in all VTSL productions, audience suggestions about the show’s theme will play an integral role in determining and driving the improvised action.

Firecracker! Dynamite ladies. Explosive comedy. opens July 21 and runs every Thursday evening at 9:15 p.m. at The Improv Centre on Granville Island. Tickets, priced at only $10 at the Box Office (slightly higher online) are on sale now at tickets.vtsl.com. For more information on Firecracker!, updates on special guests, or other VTSL productions, visit vtsl.com.

About Vancouver TheatreSports™ League

Founded in 1980 Vancouver TheatreSports™ League is Vancouver’s #1 improv comedy company and a well-respected international leader in the art form. Female alumni include Ellie Harvie (The New Addams Family, Stargate SG-1), Nancy Robertson (Corner Gas) and Veena Sood (The X-Files, Supernatural). Boasting six International Improv Comedy Awards, Vancouver TheatreSports™ League entertains more than 60,000 people per year through 11 shows a week, 52 weeks a year at its own theatre, The Improv Centre, located on Granville Island – Vancouver’s arts and culture hub.

Vancouver TheatreSports™ appreciates the support of season sponsors: City of Vancouver, CMHC Granville Island, The Georgia Straight and The Granville Island Hotel.