Jason Grimmer, the artistic director of Mile End Improv/Theatre VME, shares insights about their vibrant and innovative improv community in this interview. Located in Montreal’s historic Mile End, Mile End Improv offers weekly improv workshops for all levels, alongside specialized classes for seasoned performers. Their black box theatre hosts regular shows featuring a mix of teachers, experienced students, and local talent. Grimmer discusses the origins of the theatre, the challenges of attracting audiences, and the joy of nurturing new comedic talent.
What is your business called and what does it do?
Mile End Improv/Theatre VME
We hold weekly improv workshops for every level – including complete beginners – and offer specialized classes for more experienced improvisers. Our theatre is a black box theatre where we hold shows every single Thursday and Saturday at 8:30 pm. These shows feature our teachers, experienced students and other strong performers from the community.
What made you want to do this work?
During the pandemic, I wanted to give work to my talented friends and colleagues as well as cater to students who still wanted to take classes in safe, air filtered studios. It grew from there.
What problem did you want to solve with the business?
Since we have some of the best and most adventurous teachers in the biz, it seemed like a cool idea to develop a space where performers could find classes that continually challenged them – and to perform in and see shows specially designed to showcase their talents. Then with Theatre VME, we wanted to create a space where we could produce improv and sketch comedy in an intimate theatre atmosphere as opposed to a bar.
Who are your clientele/demographics?
Improv students, stand-up comics, film makers, screenwriters, actors, general comedy fans, and locals looking for comedy in their neighborhood. Class-wise, basically performers in general are looking to expand their skill sets.
How does your business make money? How does it work?
Oh, classes for sure. The only thing is we don’t offer a ton. Generally 1 to 3 specialized classes every couple of months. And we limit the class sizes as well, in order to ensure an effective learning experience and encourage camaraderie.
Also, Mile End Improv is part of Variations Mile End, my partner’s dance school, so they help subsidise one another.
Where in the city can we find your profession?
We are located at 5337 Boul. St-Laurent in Montreal’s historic Mile End.
What is the best question a prospective customer could ask a member of your profession when comparing services? Give the answer as well.
Why don’t you offer levels like other schools?
We all came up through the levels system and while it’s an essential way to learn the fundamentals and gain confidence, we want to keep learning by experimenting with ways to challenge ourselves and our students in a more organic and specialized manner.
What is the best part about what you do? What is the worst part?
Best part is the high level of offbeat, original comedy that I get to experience every single week, our producers are easily some of the best in the city and the shows are like nowhere else!
Also, coming up with ideas for classes and meeting new up-and-coming performers. It’s a blast watching improvisers become more and more comfortable with themselves and their ideas and see them showing it on stage. Our student shows are some of my favourites.
The worst part, honestly? Hustling to get people in seats, can be a challenge at times and it’s hard to watch an absolutely killer show and not feel “Man, if people only knew”. We don’t have the advertising budget or access to subsidies other places may have so we rely mostly on word-of-mouth.
We’re still new, though and we’re convinced that since improv tends to be a more consistently funny and honest experience than most other comedic art forms, we’ll just keep chugging along trying to prove it.
What is your favourite joke about your own profession?
When new students say “Hey, if I’m funny already do I get a discount?”
Generally – surprise – they end up being not funny. Haha!
Where can we follow you?
Mile End Improv is on Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook. We may even join Threads!
PAY IT FORWARD: What is another local business that you love?
I love vinyl records and came up working in several record stores across Canada, and Cheap Thrills in downtown Montreal is one of my faves. My daughter works there now, so if you go in say hi to Addie!
