Impro Montreal (formerly Impro Montréal) is a bilingual improv comedy venue and school in Montreal, Quebec, founded in 2008 by Vinny François. After announcing permanent closure due to COVID-19 in July 2020, the organization was revived under new leadership and relocated to 3706 rue Notre-Dame Ouest in the Saint-Henri neighbourhood, where it continues to operate as one of Montreal's only dedicated improv venues.
History
Founding (2008)
Vinny François, an improviser with experience in both English and French performance, founded Impro Montréal in 2008 on boulevard Saint-Laurent in Montreal's Plateau/Mile End area. The company offered bilingual classes and shows from the outset, serving Montreal's both English and French-language improv communities. Impro Montréal hosted events for the Montreal Fringe and the Just For Laughs off-festival and was recognized by Cult MTL as a preferred comedy venue.
COVID-19 Closure (2020)
In July 2020, Vinny François announced Impro Montréal's permanent closure due to the COVID-19 pandemic, stating that the organization had been in good financial standing before the pandemic but could not survive the extended loss of revenue from closures.
Revival in Saint-Henri (2020 to Present)
The organization was subsequently revived under new ownership and leadership. Mélanie McCrae joined as Associate Producer in 2022 and became Owner, Operations Director, and Interim Artistic Director. The revived company moved to 3706 rue Notre-Dame Ouest in Montreal's Saint-Henri neighbourhood. The organization describes itself as Montreal's only venue dedicated exclusively to improvised theatre.
Artistic Identity
Impro Montreal is Montreal's only dedicated improv venue, offering bilingual French and English classes and shows following a revival after COVID-19 forced a temporary closure of the original organization.
Key Events
Impro Montréal Founded in Montreal
Vinny François founded Impro Montréal in Montreal in 2008, creating a bilingual improv school and performance venue on boulevard Saint-Laurent in the Plateau neighbourhood.
Impro Montréal Announces Closure Due to COVID-19
Vinny François announced the permanent closure of Impro Montréal in July 2020, citing the COVID-19 pandemic as the cause. The organization was subsequently revived under new leadership and relocated to Saint-Henri.
How to Reference This Page
The Improv Archive. (2026). Impro Montréal. Retrieved March 17, 2026, from https://improvarchive.org/companies/impro-montreal
The Improv Archive. "Impro Montréal." The Improv Archive, 2026. https://improvarchive.org/companies/impro-montreal.
The Improv Archive. "Impro Montréal." The Improv Archive, 2026, https://improvarchive.org/companies/impro-montreal. Accessed March 17, 2026.
The Improv Archive is a systemically maintained repository. The archive itself acts as the corporate author.