The Comedy Department Explodes into their Second Year

THE COMEDY DEPARTMENT EXPLODES
INTO THEIR SECOND YEAR

INCREASED INTEREST IN COMEDY FUELS A BUSY
FALL AND HOLIDAY SEASON

Get ready to bring big laughs to your next corporate special event or into your coming weekend! The Comedy Department explodes into their second year with the continuation of their weekly improv comedy shows in the West End, a busy fall season fuelled by corporate bookings, a tour in the Lower Mainland and improv comedy classes.

Founded by veteran comedy performers, Denise Jones and David Milchard in 2021, The Comedy Department is poised to have a very successful 2023-24 season. After decades of experience doing live improv comedy shows, performing alongside comedy giants like Colin Mochrie and Ryan Stiles, Denise and David realized they wanted to make comedy their full-time job and started The Comedy Department. They created a full-service comedy entertainment company offering weekly live shows on Saturday nights in the West End to sold out houses, crafting custom comedy entertainment for corporate galas and special events and bringing the improv mindset to the workplace fostering cultures of communication and collaboration.

The Comedy Department has seen tremendous growth especially in corporate bookings. After so much remote work occurred throughout the past few years, companies are trying to figure out how to build that bridge of connection back to their teams. Reaching out to a local comedy company to create a unique experience rooted in connection, joy and a shared experience seems to be where the future of corporate and special events is headed.

“Comedy is experiencing a huge resurgence in popularity these days,” said Denise Jones, Comedy Department Co-Creator and performer. “People just want to laugh and connect and that’s truly what we love to help them do, whether it’s in a corporate event setting or at one of our weekend comedy shows. We’ve had the incredible opportunity to work with some of the most talented improvisers in the country and creating a space where we can bring that professional level of entertainment to Lower Mainland audiences is a dream come true.”

Throughout the summer, The Comedy Department performed weekly at The Show Cellar in gorgeous English bay in the West End. Their hilarious shows will continue throughout the fall and have guests in fits of laughter from start to finish. Audiences have come to expect non-stop, fast-paced hilarity and unexpected twists based on audience suggestions, and a uniquely interactive experience that continually receives 5-star reviews on Google and TripAdvisor.

“Our summer season was tremendously successful, and we can’t wait to see our fall shows continue with that pace as audiences seek more indoor entertainment,” adds Jones. “Each week we are assembling some of the country’s top improv comedy performers and delivering an incredible show filled with big laughs to our audiences. The experience of our ensemble is unmatched.”

With the onstage experience fully in hand, audiences can sit back, relax and delight in the unique venue the Comedy Department calls home, The Show Cellar. It’s a truly hidden gem in the West End. Offering full food and beverage service during the show, this red table-clothed cabaret showroom creates a cool, speak-easy vibe and gives audiences a more personal and engaging evening than some of the bigger spaces in the city. Audiences enter as strangers but leave as friends.

From successful weekly shows to corporate and special events, the natural progression was for The Comedy Department to look at bringing their shows to other communities. Over the next eight months they will be touring in Port Moody, White Rock, Chilliwack and Fort Langley. Their hit holiday show, Holiday Comedy Rumble, will be performed at the Evergreen Cultural Centre In Coquitlam December 17-21. A full schedule will be available on their website that includes these tours and their weekly performances.

Comedy Department Co-Creator and Performer, David Milchard has been bringing laughs for 25 years and his passion for it still burns brightly. “During the pandemic I realized something: I can’t live without improv and live shows. And I believe most people underestimate how impactful improv can be. The improv mindset is a powerful tool for communication, connection and growth and I’m driven to help our communities experience the benefits of it.”

It’s with that in mind that the Comedy Department is expanding into improv classes. The Comedy Department is excited to announce upcoming comedy classes designed for everyone, from beginners to seasoned performers. Their experienced instructors will guide students through the art of improv and comedic storytelling. These classes are designed to enhance communication skills, build confidence and to develop the ability to just live and respond in the present moment.

The Comedy Department is thrilled about each of these accomplishments and new additions to their ever-changing menu of comedy entertainment offerings. Their Fall season kicks off October 7th with Saturday Night Laughs (now offering two time slots at 7:30PM and 9:30 PM) recurring weekly on Saturdays following.

Stay tuned for their spooky October specialty show and holiday and New Year’s offerings later in the year!

For tickets and more information visit www.thecomedydepartment.com.

ABOUT THE COMEDY DEPARTMENT

After decades of performing for different arts organizations and companies, David and Denise have forged their own path in professional comedy & high-level collaboration. Working with some of the best comedic talent in North America, The Comedy Department has quickly become the new standard of professional comedy in Vancouver. In just a short year in business, they have garnered top ratings on TripAdvisor and numerous 5-star Google reviews. They wow audiences with hilarious weekly live comedy shows in Downtown Vancouver and surpass client expectations with unforgettable, tailor-made comedy experiences. From MC-ing galas to crafting personalized performances for staff functions, conferences and special events, their company can do it all.

ABOUT DENISE JONES

Denise Jones is a Leo-nominated film and tv actor and Canadian Comedy Award winning performer. She is the former Artistic Director of the Improv Centre where she co created and directed smash hit shows to sold out crowds. She has performed in thousands of shows all over the globe with Second City Theatricals, the critically acclaimed Comic Strippers, Princess and Crystal Cruiselines and alongside legends like Colin Mochrie and Ryan Stiles. She is also a member of the teaching faculty of Vancouver Film School’s Comedy Project. You’ve seen her on film and tv in projects like Preggoland with James Caan and the BFG, directed by Steven Spielberg.

ABOUT DAVID MILCHARD

David Milchard is an award-winning actor, writer, director, producer, comedian, improviser, and digital creator. A Second City and Vancouver TheatreSports League alumni, he’s performed in comedy festivals across North America including Just For Laughs, Bumbershoot, and the Chicago Improv Festival. A member of the critically acclaimed international hit touring show theComic Strippers (Canadian Comedy Award Winner) you’ve seen him on Altered Carbon, Psych, Girlfriend’s Guide to Divorce, Fringe, The Flash, Supernatural, Robert Redford’s The Company You Keep and Tim Burton’s Big Eyes. David, co-creator of the award-winning viral web series, Convos With My 2-Year-Old on YouTube (125 million plus views). David producedCorner Office (2020 Tribeca Film Festival starring Jon Ham and Danny Pudi and directed the feature film F**king Idiots (2020 VIFF /Montreal Independent Film Festival).