Instant Theatre Company

Founding (1993 to 1994)

Instant Theatre Company was founded in Vancouver in 1993 or 1994, beginning on a small stage in Gastown on the city's East Side. The company was built around a commitment to long-form improvisation and global improv methodologies, distinguishing it from the Theatresports tradition that had anchored Vancouver improv through the Vancouver TheatreSports League.

Instant Studios and Training

In 2010 the company launched Instant Studios, a comedy training centre offering improv, sketch, and stand-up instruction. The studio expanded the organization's capacity to develop new performers in Vancouver's improv community.

Festivals

Instant Theatre has produced the Vancouver International Improv Festival since 1999, making it one of North America's longest-running improv festivals. The company also produces the Vancouver Sketch Festival. Both events bring national and international performers to Vancouver annually.

Current Operations

Instant Theatre operates from 529 East Broadway in Vancouver, producing around 200 shows per year and running its training program alongside international festival production. The company has toured festivals in Berlin, Bellingham, and other international markets.

Instant Theatre Company is Vancouver's long-form improv anchor, combining training, 200 annual shows, and production of the city's two major improv and sketch festivals from its East Broadway home.

Instant Theatre produces the Vancouver International Improv Festival and the Vancouver Sketch Festival, both of which have become central events for the city's comedy community. The company presents longform comedy shows, bold new formats, musical improv, and bilingual performances each season. Instant Studios, the company's training arm launched around 2010, has trained hundreds of students in improv, sketch, and stand-up through its course offerings.

Since 1994, Instant Theatre Company has trained generations of Vancouver improvisers and produced professional comedy shows from its original base on a tiny stage in Gastown. The company brought longform improv and global improv methodologies to Vancouver at a time when the city's scene was still developing. Over two decades, Instant expanded from a small collective into a production company running multiple festivals, a training studio, and weekly performances. The company's current leadership includes co-president Del, a Canadian-Iranian improvisor with over 15 years of experience, reflecting the organization's commitment to diverse representation in Vancouver's arts community.