The Improv Embassy is a school dedicated to growing and showcasing improv, sketch and stand-up comedy in the nation’s capital. We run jams and teach classes for those looking to have fun and for those who wish to become performers. We have produced shows in venues across the city and we produce the annual Ottawa Improv Festival. We are a nonprofit founded and run by volunteers.
Our statement of principles
- We understand that diversity, equity and inclusion are core parts of our mission to provide a safer space for truthful comedy;
- We operate in a way that amplifies historically marginalized voices;
- We acknowledge that any commitment to fostering diversity, equity and inclusion is ongoing and enduring;
- We act in service to the community, with humility, curiosity, and a willingness to listen.
Where we came from
The seeds of the Improv Embassy were planted with Experimental Farm Theatre, founded by Dani Alon and Chris Hannay in 2014 when they moved to Ottawa from Toronto. The improvisers began producing shows in various venues around Ottawa in the summer of 2014, and began teaching improvisation in 2015.
In the summer of 2016, the theatre company renamed itself the Improv Embassy officially incorporated as a non-profit.
Our comedians have been invited to perform in the Del Close Marathon in New York City, Toronto’s Big City Improv Festival, the Toronto Haroldfest, Mprov (the Montreal Improv Festival), Montreal Sketchfest, Halifax’s East Coast Improv Festival and Ottawa’s Fresh Meat DIY Theatre Festival.
We have put on the Ottawa Improv Festival for sold-out crowds at Arts Court Theatre in 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020. We’ve produced successful shows at the Ottawa Fringe Festival, such as the sketch revue EFT-up: Just Like You in 2015, and The Fake News Show and Quest Friends Forever in 2017.
Throughout our history, we could not have accomplished anything without the hard work, dedication and talent of the improvisers in our fast-growing community.