Bad Dog Theatre Company
Dubbed the "improv hub" of Toronto by "NOW" magazine, the Bad Dog Theatre Company was formally known as Theatresports Toronto, which began in 1982. This well-known comedy troupe was the training grounds for Mike Myers and the comedians from The Kids in the Hall. The name was changed to Bad Dog Theatre Company in 2003, when an official theater was established. The property includes a main stage and two training studios.
Students can come to weekly improv classes, including free drop-in classes on Saturdays. Shows are held almost every night of the week, with admission usually ranging from $5 to $10 as of March 2010. The theater is located in downtown Toronto just steps from the Broadview subway stop.
Bad Dog Theatre Company
138 Danforth Ave.
Toronto, ON M4K 1N1
416-491-3115
baddogtheatre.com
The Second City Theatre
The Toronto location of The Second City, one of the most widely known improv comedy names in Canada and the United States, is situated just a few blocks north of the CN Tower. The John Candy Box Theatre, named for one of Second City Toronto's famous alumni, is the performance venue for students in the Toronto location's training center, which features classes in improv, stand-up and comedy writing. The main stage offers improv shows with a variety of themes that are typically oriented to current events.
Shows last for several weeks at a time, and tickets range from about $15 to $30 as of March 2010. The main stage features cabaret-style seating where guests share tables with other attendees and can order drinks and snacks throughout the performance.
The Second City Theatre
51 Mercer St.
Toronto, ON M5V 1H2
416-343-0011
secondcity.com
Yuk Yuk's Comedy Club
Located in downtown Ottawa, Yuk Yuk's Comedy Club offers a dinner and a show package that includes a meal at the adjoining restaurant, Hooley's. Guests can choose to visit for a range of performances, including stand-up comedy acts, amateur night or student discount night, but a crowd is always guaranteed for Sundays, where improv comedy is the event of the night. Dining packages are not available for these performances, which had an admission price of $5 as of March 2010. Group rates can be arranged for groups of 20 or more guests.
Yuk Yuk's Comedy Club
292 Elgin St.
Ottawa, ON K2P 1M3
613-236-5233
yukyuks.com
