An improvised comedy community is taking shape on the Sunshine Coast as a result of a spontaneous offer by a longtime performer and instructor.
Alistair Cook moved to the Coast in 2021, ready for a quieter routine after decades leading improv tournaments and classes across North America, Europe, and Australia. He taught a host of today’s Hollywood superstars (including actor-producer Seth Rogen) the elements of dramatic invention. Cook earned the nickname “The Evangelist” from the board of the Canadian Improv Games for his tireless promotion of spontaneous comedy as an art form.
Waiting to pick up his kids on the playground of Roberts Creek Elementary School, fellow parents mentioned they were traveling to Vancouver for training in TheatreSports-style improv comedy.
“I surprised them by saying, ‘Oh, that place where you take classes? I design classes for them,’” Cook recalled. “Why don’t we just get some people together?”
He founded Coast Improv — currently a one-man operation — in March. Since then, he has led a monthly introduction to improv session. He has instituted a drop-in workshop for more experienced participants. A third ensemble is made up of people who are readying performances for live audiences.
All three offerings have something in common: they’re provided at no charge.
“My interest is to offer a barrier-less class so anyone can take it,” Cook explained. “There’s no financial barrier. My only ask of them is that everyone shows up for it because these classes in any other city are normally a $100 value. I do it because I want to see the community learn something that’s very special to me. It’s an incredibly positive experience in what I would say are pretty difficult, frustrating, negative times; I just want to put some positivity out there.”
The September session for first-timers attracted 10 participants, an average number. Cook led the group through two hours of listening exercises, partner activities and simple scene development work.
Some of the adult enrollees had not acted since their Grade 9 theatre classes. Cook outlined basic improv tactics, warning of potential pitfalls by making light-hearted references to “improv lawyers” and the grammar police.
“My number one goal is to make sure that I’m present with my students and how they feel,” said Cook, “and to make sure that I’m laying out exercises that are going to be equal parts challenge and success. So by the end of the two hours, they’ll feel like they’ve accomplished a heroic act, making up things on stage.”
Cook relishes instilling further confidence in people with careers that require them to make decisions quickly in the moment, like first responders and lawyers.
“They’re able to use those skills,” he added. “And do creative work with it, and then discover they enjoy it.”
In his role as father to two school-age children, he even employs improv strategies in a family setting. Recently, while watching a movie, his son guffawed at a character whose foot became lodged in a bucket.
“Classic [comedy] bit,” he chuckled while Cook eavesdropped. “I was never more proud,” Cook said. “He’s already identifying the classics of comedy.”
The Coast Improv performance ensemble is readying a showcase for friends and family this fall. A public performance is in the works for early 2025.
Meanwhile, Cook continues to book fluorescent-lit community halls and awaken appetites for impromptu theatre.
“I’m not a censor of your creativity,” he said. “I’m a guide towards what will be more enjoyable for the whole audience to see in a performance. We as improviers train our impulses to create flow and make enjoyable, collaborative art.”
Information about Coast Improv workshops is available online by browsing to coastimprov.ca or following @coastimprovca on Instagram.
