Frequently Asked Questions
Here is a collection of commonly asked questions for your reading pleasure. These questions should speed up your decision making process when it comes to booking CiS and also provide you with some amusement. Should your question not be answered here, please click on the contact link to the left and send us an email. We will be pleased to respond to your query as soon as possible.
What is improv?
Improvisation is a form of theatre that is unscripted and made up on the spot, and guided by audience participation and interaction.
How does the audience participate in the show?
The audience offers the variables that make each show unique. They provide suggestions that form each of the scenes and range from suggestions of places, problems, animals and much more! Audience members also get the chance to come up on stage and take part in a variety of ways. But let's make one thing clear: we never pick on or ridicule our audience. Why? Because we're having way too much fun picking on each other. Besides, it's just not our style.
How long is the typical show?
A live show is normally 60 to 90 minutes in length. However that, like many other aspects of the show, is completely customizable. Workshops are booked in hour long blocks; the longer you book the lower the hourly rate gets.
Is the material family friendly or is it anything goes?
We can perform for ANY audience. We have performed for families, kids, adults, seniors and even inmates! We are so confident in our abilities that we offer a content guarantee.
What do you mean by Content Guarantee?
We mean that we will guarantee the content of our show does not cross the line. Once it has been decided what is appropriate for a show by the person booking us, then we guarantee not to cross that line and offend the audience. If we do, we don't get paid.
Have you ever gone home empty handed?
Never. As a matter of fact, the company that insisted we create the guarantee (and we just stuck with it after that) was so thrilled with our skills that they upgraded our hotel rooms, showered us with gifts and gave us a huge tip!
Really?
Yes, really.
How many shows have you done and where have you performed?
CiS has been in over 800 performances world wide. Unlike other groups that have a 'home theatre', CiS gets their bookings based on the merit of their last performance. Word-of-mouth advertising and recommendations make up a large percentage of the troupe's bookings.
Are you accepting new talent?
We hold auditions whenever the need arises; normally once or twice a year. If you are interested, please contact us and submit your headshot and resume. Talent must be at least 18 years of age.
Are your prices reasonable?
Unfortunately, yes. We have the very best rates in the industry. We even have a price matching policy to make sure it stays that way.
What exactly is game-style or short-form improv?
Have you seen the television show "Whose Line is it Anyway?" It's similar to that. Game-style or short-form improv is a collection of skits that vary in length from 30 seconds to as much as 10 minutes. Each scene involves some sort of audience suggestion or participation, thusly no two scenes, nor two shows, are ever alike.
Do you do anything else?
Yes, many of us are highly recognizable from film, television, theatre and commercials.
Really?
Yes really! Peter has been in many films and has done Shakespeare in the Park many times. Nkasi and Adam can be seen regularly at Second City, Toronto. Carmen has graced many stages across the GTA and her and Adam were featured in a Star Wars Fan Film called 'Blasted Behavior' helmed by acclaimed director Alexander Galant. Adrianne has toured the world performing 'Grease' and other theatre productions. Tony was been in many films and has done voice work for some major video games and cartoons like Beyblade. Holly was in a chilling horror movie called "The Perfect House." Matt has been featured in many ridiculous commercials like that one for Moores where the guy rips his pants and the one for Casino Rama where everyone has their hands up in the air. And Alan was even eaten by a shark in a film shot in Hamilton!
What's with the hockey jerseys?
It's our thing! We're Canadian and damn proud of it, eh?!
Do you rehearse?
Rehearse what? There's no script! No, we don't 'rehearse' we practice. We get together, once or twice a month (depending on our schedule) and work together as a group to develop our chemistry as well as work on new games. Performing improv is like a muscle, the more you work it the stronger it is, so it is crucial that we work together regularly.
Where does the spotlight always shine?
On fresh Canadian talent!
Does it shine in your face?
Sometimes. It makes it hard to see when it does.
Is everything you do really made up on the spot?
No. We carefully write and rehearse every possible suggestion we could get from an audience. It takes a lot of time and effort, but the pay off of having it look 'off the top of our heads' is worth it. Did you even read the questions above?
What do you do if a scene isn't really funny?
Luckily we've never encountered that scenario.
What information do I need to know before booking you?
It depends on what programme you are looking to book. But generally it is best to have a general audience size in mind, as well as a location and possible dates. This will expedite the booking process greatly.
Do you ever do charity work?
Yes. As a part of a registered educational charity we do all sorts of charity work. Some of the charities we have worked for in the past have been Sick Kids Hospital, The Canadian Centre for Abuse Awareness and Gilda's Club.
As a group of grown adults, don't you feel silly goofing around on stage the way you do?
Of course we feel silly from time to time. But after a show, when we hop in our limos and go enjoy a steak and lobster dinner, and go to sleep atop piles and piles of money; things don't feel so bad.
Who let the dogs out?
Tony Babcock actually, about 4 to 5 years ago. We begged him not to do it, and a group of us actually tried to stop him. But, for a little guy, he's surprisingly powerful! We've been trying to get them back in every since.
Have you ever done a show where the suggestion goes spiraling out of control and it just turns into a comedy free-for-all and everyone pees their pants from laughing so hard?
Usually by the third scene, yes.
Do you guys ever take anything seriously?
We try really hard not to.
What is improv?
Improvisation is a form of theatre that is unscripted and made up on the spot, and guided by audience participation and interaction.
How does the audience participate in the show?
The audience offers the variables that make each show unique. They provide suggestions that form each of the scenes and range from suggestions of places, problems, animals and much more! Audience members also get the chance to come up on stage and take part in a variety of ways. But let's make one thing clear: we never pick on or ridicule our audience. Why? Because we're having way too much fun picking on each other. Besides, it's just not our style.
How long is the typical show?
A live show is normally 60 to 90 minutes in length. However that, like many other aspects of the show, is completely customizable. Workshops are booked in hour long blocks; the longer you book the lower the hourly rate gets.
Is the material family friendly or is it anything goes?
We can perform for ANY audience. We have performed for families, kids, adults, seniors and even inmates! We are so confident in our abilities that we offer a content guarantee.
What do you mean by Content Guarantee?
We mean that we will guarantee the content of our show does not cross the line. Once it has been decided what is appropriate for a show by the person booking us, then we guarantee not to cross that line and offend the audience. If we do, we don't get paid.
Have you ever gone home empty handed?
Never. As a matter of fact, the company that insisted we create the guarantee (and we just stuck with it after that) was so thrilled with our skills that they upgraded our hotel rooms, showered us with gifts and gave us a huge tip!
Really?
Yes, really.
How many shows have you done and where have you performed?
CiS has been in over 800 performances world wide. Unlike other groups that have a 'home theatre', CiS gets their bookings based on the merit of their last performance. Word-of-mouth advertising and recommendations make up a large percentage of the troupe's bookings.
Are you accepting new talent?
We hold auditions whenever the need arises; normally once or twice a year. If you are interested, please contact us and submit your headshot and resume. Talent must be at least 18 years of age.
Are your prices reasonable?
Unfortunately, yes. We have the very best rates in the industry. We even have a price matching policy to make sure it stays that way.
What exactly is game-style or short-form improv?
Have you seen the television show "Whose Line is it Anyway?" It's similar to that. Game-style or short-form improv is a collection of skits that vary in length from 30 seconds to as much as 10 minutes. Each scene involves some sort of audience suggestion or participation, thusly no two scenes, nor two shows, are ever alike.
Do you do anything else?
Yes, many of us are highly recognizable from film, television, theatre and commercials.
Really?
Yes really! Peter has been in many films and has done Shakespeare in the Park many times. Nkasi and Adam can be seen regularly at Second City, Toronto. Carmen has graced many stages across the GTA and her and Adam were featured in a Star Wars Fan Film called 'Blasted Behavior' helmed by acclaimed director Alexander Galant. Adrianne has toured the world performing 'Grease' and other theatre productions. Tony was been in many films and has done voice work for some major video games and cartoons like Beyblade. Holly was in a chilling horror movie called "The Perfect House." Matt has been featured in many ridiculous commercials like that one for Moores where the guy rips his pants and the one for Casino Rama where everyone has their hands up in the air. And Alan was even eaten by a shark in a film shot in Hamilton!
What's with the hockey jerseys?
It's our thing! We're Canadian and damn proud of it, eh?!
Do you rehearse?
Rehearse what? There's no script! No, we don't 'rehearse' we practice. We get together, once or twice a month (depending on our schedule) and work together as a group to develop our chemistry as well as work on new games. Performing improv is like a muscle, the more you work it the stronger it is, so it is crucial that we work together regularly.
Where does the spotlight always shine?
On fresh Canadian talent!
Does it shine in your face?
Sometimes. It makes it hard to see when it does.
Is everything you do really made up on the spot?
No. We carefully write and rehearse every possible suggestion we could get from an audience. It takes a lot of time and effort, but the pay off of having it look 'off the top of our heads' is worth it. Did you even read the questions above?
What do you do if a scene isn't really funny?
Luckily we've never encountered that scenario.
What information do I need to know before booking you?
It depends on what programme you are looking to book. But generally it is best to have a general audience size in mind, as well as a location and possible dates. This will expedite the booking process greatly.
Do you ever do charity work?
Yes. As a part of a registered educational charity we do all sorts of charity work. Some of the charities we have worked for in the past have been Sick Kids Hospital, The Canadian Centre for Abuse Awareness and Gilda's Club.
As a group of grown adults, don't you feel silly goofing around on stage the way you do?
Of course we feel silly from time to time. But after a show, when we hop in our limos and go enjoy a steak and lobster dinner, and go to sleep atop piles and piles of money; things don't feel so bad.
Who let the dogs out?
Tony Babcock actually, about 4 to 5 years ago. We begged him not to do it, and a group of us actually tried to stop him. But, for a little guy, he's surprisingly powerful! We've been trying to get them back in every since.
Have you ever done a show where the suggestion goes spiraling out of control and it just turns into a comedy free-for-all and everyone pees their pants from laughing so hard?
Usually by the third scene, yes.
Do you guys ever take anything seriously?
We try really hard not to.
