Armadillo Armadillos work to gain a following in the city

Making out. Reconstructive surgery. Ikea. Mathematics. Euthanasia. Youth in Asia. What do all of these things have in common?

When the Armadillo Armadillos are handed these topics, they can weave all these ideas and more into a hilarious narrative using improvised comedy.

The Calgary-based improv troupe is carving itself a niche in the comedy scene.

Owen Chan (left) and Colin Lau (right) share a tender moment during a skit.

Photo: Kylie Robertson/Calgary Journal

“There’s a lot of underground improv in Calgary,” said Shawn Hoult, who has been part of the Armadillos since they became a group in September of 2008.

Hoult and Owen Chan, the creative director of the group, both said that improv comedy is a big scene in Calgary, and a great way for people to change and enhance their everyday lives – both as actors and audience members.

“Improv changed my life,” Chan said. “I’m a high school teacher, and I would’ve burnt out if it weren’t for this. It makes me cope with change better, makes me able to deal with different situations.”

Chan teaches drama at Lord Beaverbrook High School.

Chan also said that some may be intimidated by improv, “because if you’re doing it right, it won’t look like it’s made up.”

“(Or) you can cross the line,” he added. “You can say something that’s politically incorrect.”

“Or just too weird, and no one can follow it,” added Hoult, laughing.

“Improv changed my life. I’m a high school teacher, and I would’ve burnt out if it weren’t for this.”
— Owen Chan

“It rewards multiple watchings,” Chan said. “The more you watch it, the more you understand how it works…you see one show and you’re like, ‘Okay that was fun,’ and by the time you see a second and third show, you’re starting to see a pattern of things, and the rules you’re working with. I think for intelligent people everywhere, it’s a really interesting way to see spontaneous art.”

But improvised comedy is not without its difficulties. Chan and Hoult both find that the hardest part of improv is agreeing on what’s happening.

“We have so many people with so many ideas,” Chan said.

“You have to decide in the first few seconds what’s happening, without talking about it,” Hoult added.

The Armadillos don’t have a large following, but hope to break that pattern soon.

“The real trick I think is consistency and for us to be here doing it every single week and getting the word out,” Chan said.

The troupe works on a “pay what you can” system for their shows, so money is tight.

“We don’t make enough money to do this,” Hoult said. “We’re barely covering our costs.”

“We haven’t started this too long ago, so it’s kind of been just our friends (at shows),” he continued. “We’ve kind of worn out their welcome,” he said laughing, speaking about the crowds at their shows. “So now we’re trying to bring in other people.”

A popular device in improv is to use the surroundings to add to the story. Chairs often become car seats, as Kristen Anderson, Mike Watson and Owen Chan (bottom) demonstrate above.

Photo: Kylie Robertson/Calgary Journal

“This is a lot better than I thought it would be,” said Courtney Amery, another first-time improv audience member. “I’ll definitely come back to watch, but not to perform.”

For those interested in performing, the Armadillos do teach a class on improvised comedy. They run for eight weeks at a time, with one class each week. For more information on classes or shows, check out their website at www.kinkonauts.com.

“(The show) opens you up to a lot of things that are available here,” Amery added.

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