Gulf Islands Secondary School (GISS) Improv has won the regional competition of the Canadian Improv Games. They’re now gearing up for the National tournament in Ottawa March 26-30! This will be the eighth time GISS Improv is representing the Southern Gulf Islands at the National tournament. They earned gold in 2019, silver in 2018, and gold in 2017.

This is their post-Covid return to the nation’s capital. While the pandemic put a damper on the Games, GISS Improv is back with a new group of students, ready to hit the stage at the National Arts Centre in Ottawa.

“I’m really looking forward to meeting people from all across the country,” says GISS Improv team member Melody Silva. “And having the chance to compete again and share the stage with some of the best improvisers in the country and learning from them.”

In Ottawa, the students will be performing alongside the top 20 teams in Canada.

“It's a phenomenal opportunity for these kids,” says coach Jason Donaldson. “They will get improv workshops with some of the best trainers on the continent during the day and watch and perform with the best teams from here to Newfoundland in the evening - not to mention touring our national galleries, museums and parliament hill as well.”

The team is reaching out to the Gulf Islands community to help get these eight student improvisers to Ottawa next month. They need to raise $15,000 in just five weeks. The team will be holding BBQ fundraisers, bake sales, and putting on shows. They are also accepting donations through the online crowdfunding site FundRazr.

All funds raised will be used to help cover the costs of flights, hotels, food, and ground transportation.

GISS Improv is a team of creative, courageous, and entertaining high school students from Gulf Islands Secondary School, coached by Jason Donaldson.