I loved the rehearsals as much as the shows. Mocambo's was great, and then it was great to outgrow it. The energy in a room when we were on fire was amazing... but the overall memory that sticks with me is simply Good People. Thanks for being so great guys.

I just saw one of the pictures posted. The troupe across Fernwood road by the Belfry. It took me a second to realize that I was even in that picture! Then I remembered when it was taken... well mostly... I was pretty drunk most of the time.

Let me give you a favorite memory, out of so many good ones. James Mckillop and Rob Conway on stage at the Belfry, I think, doing a rhyming scene. Something about a girl named Sally. The scene was progressing when James, who argued that he wasn't very good at rhyming, suddenly found this groove and took off rhyming like a master, leaving Rob staring at him, grinning from ear to ear. While James rhymed, Rob slowly, still grinning, lied down on stage and just laid there watching James, suddenly becoming an audience member as well. James pretty much finished his speil and Rob looked up at him and asked "Done? Can I come back?". James paused then said "Yes" and the scene went on from there. I almost killed myself with laughter.

I was seventeen when my substitute teacher (Theresa) told me that I should go to some auditions for a group she was involved with. It was 1994 (I think!) and I was nervous, terrified, and completely unprepared. But miraculously I was invited to join and thus began some of the most poignant, amazing exhilarating, and significant moments of my post adolescent life.

What is the thing that I remember and love the most about The Impromaniacs? It's the people. These people who by opening themselves to being subjected to all manner of obscurities, open themselves to sharing in a friendship that reaches beyond borders. The members of The Impromaniacs from 1994 - 2001 are the people who helped to shape my life into what it is today. They are my mentors, my friends, the people I laugh with, cry with, and of course sometimes eat ice cream or drink with.

Each member gave a little part of themselves to the art of performing, every time they were handed a factory again they had to dig deeper to find something new, something different to help the story along. And each time they dug they gave a little more of themselves to us, to the audience. They revealed stories from their pasts whether funny or maybe slightly disturbing and allowed everyone to share in those moments. By doing this we created a place of what I can only describe as warm fuzzies. Some of the most important people in my life were involved in The Impromaniacs and it's the improv I have to thank for that. There are too many names to credit you all. But you know who you are.

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We were playing at Camosun College. This was nearing the end of the evening, and we had just launched into "Freeze Tag," which was usually our signature end game. For some reason still unknown to this day, there were two loaves of French bread backstage. It was one of those situations when everybody sees something but nobody wants to be the first one to comment. So, none of us did.

"Freeze Tag" continued. Suddenly the bread appeared onstage. Where had it come from? Who had brought it on? I don't remember. But what I do remember is the great James McKillop and the marvelous Robert Conway launching into a Cavemen scene using the bread as a prop. James and Robert set out amongst the audience chanting "Bread. Bread. Let's beat them with bread." Not to be outdone, the rest of the cast used the bread in our scenes. We wielded it, hit each other on the head with it, even ate it, I think. It was pure and beautiful; a moment when we took what we saw and had fun with it. There was no judgment, no blocking, no denying the Reality of The Bread.

I was an Impromaniac from 1989 - 1995, and proud to be one, too. Improv has given my life a direction and a focus. Nearly twenty years later, I still encounter people who ask if I am still doing improv. My answer is and always will be: "Of course. Why aren't you?"

Thank you, Impromaniacs, for the training, memories, and good times. Keep the improv torch lit for future generations.

It's pretty much embarassing how much I love the Impromaniacs.

I can't think of a specific moment during my time with the Impromaniacs that stood out, because the entire time was really special. All of the different members that I rehearsed and performed with had their own hilarity and amusements.

From joining during the SINGE festival in.... ummm.... was it 1997? Ulp. I don't know. I think I was in Grade 11 or 12. Diane Hyashi was the one that introduced me, being the Japanese teacher at my high school. But I didn't take Japanese. So I don't actually remember at the moment, just how I got involved.

Anyway, after the SINGE, I was invited to be a member of the Impromaniacs. I ended up being a member for over 3 solid years.

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I remember my final show. Standing up on stage with some of my best friends. Putting my heart on my sleeve and leaving my mind blank to live in the moment. I lived every scene that night and was so moved by the emotions that were displayed. I don't remember anything that happened in the show I just remember it being my best show. It was one of the saddest moments in my life and one of the happiest. Even now it brings tears to my eyes.

Because of my time in the Impromaniacs I have managed to make so much more of my life. I am now teaching improv to local youth. I have been nominated for an award in my community for the work I do with Kids. I am much more confident in the board room because I know there is nothing that gets said that can throw me. There is nothing more shocking that what gets said on a stage. You learn to react with sincerity and confidence.

I don't know what else to say other than I wouldn't be who I am today if I had never joined Impromaniacs, I also wouldn't have met Graham, and wouldn't be as outgoing and confident as I am. I owe a lot to the Impromaniacs.

Morgan

Cut to years later and we now have three children, mostly charming, partially innocent and all very silly. Must be from her side of the family.

My memories are mixed of those early years:

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  • I was a member of two groups back then and in a big hurry to learn as much about this craft as I could. I recall toting around a notebook and writing copious notes.
  • Roy (Langdon), Elvy Del Bianco and Bill Nance and I seemed to connect well together on stage. We enjoyed each others company.
  • I recall Roy being one of the most creative talents I had ever encountered. He would not suffer fools though and as such did not get along with everyone. He had a tendency to ruffle feathers.
  • Elvy was street smart and savvy in a small "p" politic kind of way.
  • Bill was a wild card, off on a tangent in one breath and absolutely brilliant the next. You never knew what you were going to get with him, which was both a blessing and a curse. Oscillate wildly.
  • I learned to play in between all of them, tending to bind the story together, linking the creative brilliance of Bill or Roy with the tech talk of Elvy.

XO Shannon

All the best!!