A well-loved late night theatre act and community event, 11:07 Improv, has been a student-run initiative at Trinity Western University since 1986 鈥 when TWU was first established as a university.
According to the group鈥檚 organizers, 11:07 Improv is 鈥渙ne of Vancouver鈥檚 longest standing ensembles for improv comedy.鈥
This year, with pandemic-related health measures in place, 11:07 Improv has evolved into The 11:07 Show, viewable online.
鈥11:07 Improv shows are well known on campus for being a fun, late night experience where the cast and audience get to have fun and laugh together,鈥 said TWU students Nyssa Morgan and Braedon Grover Sunnes, this year鈥檚 show coordinators.
Morgan is a fourth year bachelor of fine arts acting major from West Kelowna, and similarly Sunnes is a third year seeking the same degree, but hailing from Newberg, Ore.
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鈥淯nfortunately, due to the pandemic, shows with live audiences were not allowed, which meant we had to get creative,鈥 they explained.
Luckily, creativity is second nature to masters of improv comedy, and organizers Morgan and Sunnes got right to work.
鈥淒uring summer and right until the first week of this semester, we had numerous brainstorming sessions, trying to figure out how to reach as many people as possible and keep 11:07 alive until we can fill Freedom Hall (TWU鈥檚 theatre venue) again,鈥 they said.
鈥淥ur main goal in creating an online comedy show was to bring joy and laughter to the TWU community 鈥 not just on campus but globally 鈥 as you can stream the online shows on your own time wherever you are in the world,鈥 they said.
鈥淭hat is how The 11:07 Show was born.鈥
Great efforts were made to keep the show running despite the challenges of social distancing.
鈥11:07 is a staple in TWU campus culture, and our vision this year is to continue that legacy as best we can through this brand new online format,鈥 Morgan and Sunnes said.
鈥淚n a normal year, we would typically run weekly workshops for those wanting to get involved in improv. But as that is not possible, currently, we are welcoming students to pitch us their ideas for a chance to be featured in the show and grow their comedic skills that way,鈥 they explained.
Morgan and Sunnes鈥 hope is that their work can lift people鈥檚 spirits during a year full of uncertainties.
鈥淐onnecting through comedy is something we both agreed is very necessary now more than ever, so that is what we will strive to do this year with The 11:07 Show.鈥
The 11:07 Show airs monthly, on the last Friday of the month. The next shows are Oct. 30 and Nov. 27, at 11:07 p.m.
Shows can be viewed on the group鈥檚 Facebook page and on Instagram鈥檚 IGTV (@1107improv).
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