About

Improv U is an improvisational comedy troupe based out of Sydney, Nova Scotia. Originally formed in 2002 as the Cape Breton Improv Society at CBU, then Ernest Goes to Improv. The group finally found a winner with Improv U. The group has been doing regular shows around Cape Breton (and beyond) for many successful years. Those years have given the group a great deal of experience as well as allowed them to sharpen their skills and grow into a very solid, highly entertaining, crowd-pleasing group of comedians. Their rapid-fire style of improvisational theater games allows the group to create any number of scenes of different styles and genres, guaranteed to give any audience member plenty to laugh at.

Improv U can be seen every Thursday night at the Capri Cabaret in Sydney, from 10pm to midnight. In addition to these regular shows, however, Improv U has been asked/hired to be part of many special events. Events of note include: Scouts Canada Provincial Jamboree 06, two years at the Childrens Aid center, numerous shows with the CBU Students Union, as well as their own annual Christmas shows in support of the Adopt-A-Family program and summer variety shows - the Collapse of Comedy (2005) and Now With 25% Less Fat (2006). The troupe has also performed at a number of all-ages concerts in the Cape Breton area including CBLocals 10x12 and Stoked for the Holidays.

Improv U has won many awards and honors since its inception in 2002 including two awards at the CBU Elizabeth Boardmore Festival of One Act Plays (2002 and 2003), tying for first place at the annual Atlantic University Improv Challenge (2006), and most recently being awarded first place in the CBC Open-Mic Comedy Night in Sydney (March, 2007). In addition to these awards as a group, the members of Improv U have many awards for theater (most notably for comedy).

What is improv?
Improv stands for improvisation. Improv is a type of comedy performed in front of an audience by any number of people. The concept of improv is making something up as you go along. This means that everything done on stage is made up on the spot without any rehearsal.

What is an ask for?
This is something asked for from the audience that is to be used in some way in the scene. This can include a place, a person, an object, an idea, a phrase, or a word. A host will usually ask the audience for something specific and an answer that is given from the audience is what is used in the scene. Example: Can I have a type of sandwich that Christian might normally eat? A knuckle sandwich! Ok, this scene will somehow involve knuckles.