Rapid Fire Theatre

Rapid Fire Theatre (RFT) is an improvisational theatre company based in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.

Rapid Fire Theatre Company
GenreImprovisation/Sketch comedy
Date of premiere1981
LocationEdmonton, Alberta, Canada
Official website

History

The origins of the company stretch to 1981, when Edmonton's Theatre Network became the third company in the world to regularly produce Keith Johnstone's Theatresports. The Artistic Director of Theatre Network at the time, Stephen Heatley, brought the high-energy format to Edmonton, and eventually, performers from the show formed Rapid Fire Theatre, which officially became its own theatre company in 1988. Rapid Fire Theatre performed originally at the Phoenix Theatre in Downtown Edmonton until 1990 when it moved to The Chinook Theatre in Old Strathcona, which became the Varscona Theatre in 1994. Rapid Fire Theatre performed there until 2012, and was part of the Varscona Theatre Alliance, along with Teatro la Quindicina and Shadow Theatre. In September 2012, Rapid Fire Theatre moved back north of the river to Zeidler Hall at the Citadel Theatre complex, as announced by Maria Bamford.[1][2] In 2013 Rapid Fire Theatre launched a capital campaign with the goal of building their own theatre.[3]

Artistic Directors
  • Stephen Heatley (Theatre Network)
  • Jack Smith 1988–1991
  • Patti Stiles 1991–1995
  • Jacob Banigan 1995–2004
  • Chris Craddock 2005–2009
  • Kevin Gillese 2009–2010
  • Amy Shostak 2010–2015
  • Matt Schuurman 2015–Present

Shows

RFT currently produces two weekly shows: Theatresports and the long form improv show Chimprov. Some members of Rapid Fire Theatre have produced or performed in sketch comedy shows. Other shows previously produced by RFT over the years have included Gorilla Theatre, Catch 23 and The 11:02 Show, as well as main stage productions like "On Being a Peon" and "The Critic", penned by RFT member Chris Craddock, as well as collaborative projects like “Fairytales Scratched” (Kevin Gillese & Arlen Konopaki), “A Watched Pot Never Boyles” (Amy Shostak & Arlen Konopaki),[4] and “Kiss My Bus” (Amy Shostak, Kirsten Rasmussen, and Clarice Eckford). In 2011, Rapid Fire Theatre marked the 30th season of Theatresports in Edmonton with an Alumni Weekend.[5]

Improvaganza

RFT also hosts an annual international improvisation festival, Improvaganza, which brings improv artists from across the world together every June. The festival is partially funded by the Government of Canada.[6]

Guests

Past guest artists at Improvaganza have included The Sunday Service, CRUMBS, Picnicface, The Pajama Men, Maria Bamford, Convoy (Upright Citizens Brigade), Neil Hamburger, Standards and Practices, Showstopper! The Improvised Musical, Moshe Kasher, Doppelganger, La Gata, The School of Night, Det Andre Teatret, Et Compagnie, Mantown, Dad's Garage Theatre Company, Die Gorillas, Iron Cobra, Loose Moose Theatre, Teater Narobov and Unexpected Productions.[7][8]

Musical Guests

Musical guests have included The Magnificent Sevens, Gift of Gab, Mass Choir, Christian Hansen & The Autistics, The Famines, Doug Hoyer, Rah Rah, The Joe, Mikey Maybe, and Mitchmatic.

Awards

Rapid Fire Theatre has received several awards, including a special Elizabeth Sterling Haynes Award for excellence in theatre. Rapid Fire was named Best Theatre Company by VUE Weekly readers in 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015 as well as Edmonton's Favourite Live Theatre Company by the Edmonton Journal in 2014. In 2013, the company also won a Canadian Comedy Award for Best Comedy Short for Internet Search History Revealed.[9]

Touring

Members of the company have performed across the world, including multiple appearances at the Berlin International Improv Festival, The Wurzburger Improtheaterfestival, The Chicago Improv Festival (CIF), The Vancouver International Improv Festival (VIIF), The Winnipeg International Improv Festival (IF), The Canadian Comedy Award Showcases (Toronto), The St. Valentine’s Day Massacre Theatresports Tournament hosted by Vancouver Theatresports League, and the World Domination Theatresports Tournament presented annually in Atlanta by Dad's Garage Theatre Company.

Performers

Current

Current performers at Rapid Fire Theatre include:

Notable alumni

Players and alumni of Rapid Fire Theatre include:

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See also

References
  1. Maria, Bamford. "Big News From Maria Bamford". Retrieved 13 December 2013.
  2. Alana Willerton. "Rapid Fire Theatre enjoys renewed success at new downtown location". The Gateway. Retrieved 12 December 2013.
  3. Rapid Fire Theatre. "Sponsor Us". Rapid Fire Theatre. Retrieved 8 May 2013.
  4. Brotheridge, James. "Review: A Watched Pot Never Boyles". Prairie Dog. Retrieved 13 December 2013.
  5. Priestley, Mel. "Raid Fire Theatre Alumni Weekend". Vue Weekly. Vue Weekly. Retrieved 13 December 2013.
  6. Edmonton Tourism. "The Government of Canada supports Edmonton's Rapid Fire Theatre Society". Retrieved 2010-01-05.
  7. Nicholls, Liz (14 June 2012). "Impromaniacs: off the tops of their heads". Edmonton Journal. Retrieved 1 June 2015.
  8. Ross, Mike (11 June 2012). "WHAT'S SO FUNNY: Improvaganza to bridge comedy arts". Gigcity.ca. Retrieved 1 June 2015.
  9. "Our 2013 Canadian Comedy Award recipients". Canadian Comedy Awards. Retrieved 1 June 2015.
  10. "Fox pumps city actor's Ride". Canada.com. Edmonton Journal. 26 February 2006. Retrieved 1 June 2015.
  11. Nicholls, Liz. "Nathan Fillion heads home to Edmonton for Theatresports anniversary".
  12. Nicholls, Liz. "An improvised homecoming". Edmonton Journal.
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