Tightrope Conservatory

Conservatory is a 9 month training program made up of weekly classes and monthly shows!

12 Participants per cohort
Weekly 2 hour classes (74 hours of training total)
Monthly Showcases on Sunday nights!

Applications for our 2026/2027 Program are open now until July 6th!

Apply Here!

26/27 Program Overview

This season we're offering two different Conservatory streams:

Short Form Conservatory

A comprehensive program focused on developing skilled, confident short-form improvisers.

Short-form is a style of improvisation built around short, self-contained scenes and games that emphasize spontaneity, audience connection, and storytelling.

Students will:

Learn classic improv games and develop new ones
Strengthen narrative skills
Explore the fundamentals of hosting and audience care.

As part of the Sunday Showcase series, students will work with ITI-certified instructors to train in and perform Keith Johnstone’s internationally recognized short-form formats, including Maestro, Theatresports, and Gorilla Theatre.

Long Form Conservatory

A program focused on narrative improvisation, sustained storytelling, and theatrical performance.

Long-form is a style of improvisation where performers create extended narratives that often unfold over the course of an entire show.

Students will explore:

Character development,
World-building
Genre work
Skills required to create fully improvised plays.

Tightrope is best known for its long-form shows, including The Yes Files, Love Unexpected, Fuck Marry Kill, and Doctor Hospital. As part of the Sunday Showcase series, students will work with experienced long-form creators to develop a variety of genre-based improvised shows.

Program Details

Each cohort is capped at 12 participants to ensure a high level of individual attention and ensemble development.

Each conservatory includes a 2 hour weekly class (totalling 74 hours of class time), plus a monthly showcase.

Program Dates:

September 1st/2nd 2026 - May 25th/26th 2027

No classes December 21st - January 4th.

Program Price:

$1750.00 + GST

(Monthly payment plans available)

Performance Component:

A core part of the Conservatory is regular performance.

Sunday Showcase Series: Sideshow!

(6:00 – 9:00 PM)
Each conservatory presents a 45-minute set, with audiences invited to come and go throughout the evening.

2026/27 Show Dates:

September 27
October 25
November 29
December 20
January 31
February 28
March 28
April 25
May 30

TIGHTROPE THEATRE

WE'VE MOVED!!

Tightrope Conservatory

26/27 Program Overview

Short Form Conservatory

Long Form Conservatory

Program Details

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