Brent has been improvising for over fifteen years. He was a founding member of the Winnipeg troupe The Horrible Friends, and joined Vancouver’s Instant Theatre in 2013, serving as as co-Artistic Director from 2016-2019. He is currently a company member of Tightrope Theatre, the artistic director of the Spontaneous Shakespeare Company and a founding member of Fistful of Kicks. As an instructor, he has taught through Tightrope Impro, Instant Theatre, UBCImprov, Improv Camp, The Young Actor’s Project and the South Vancouver Youth Centre, and is currently the lead instructor of the Improv for Brain Health Program with Improv for Work and Wellness and BC Brain Health, as well as the lead improv teacher for Vancouver Film School’s Essentials program.
The Spontaneous Shakespeare Company
The Spontaneous Shakespeare Company (Formerly Shakespeare After Dark) is Vancouver’s premiere improvised Shakespeare company, featuring the highbrow fusion of the Bard of Avon served with a side of improvisational mischief. Established in 2016, the company has performed to delighted sold out houses all around Vancouver and beyond, being featured at the Vancouver International Improv Festival, the Bellingham Improv Festival, the Winnipeg, Saskatoon, Edmonton and Vancouver Fringe festivals and more to come!
Brent Hirose currently serves as the artistic director of The Spontaneous Shakespeare Company, and you can follow all of their upcoming projects here!
FISTFUL OF KICKS
Fistful of Kicks features some of Vancouver’s funniest Asian-Canadian improvisers serving up fresh and hilarious anime-based comedy at their monthly show at Havana Theatre in East Van. Infused with amazing storytelling and wild stage combat, this show is a one-of-a-kind comedic experience that you won’t want to miss!
Fistfull of Kicks have performed at the Vancouver & Seattle Improv Festivals, as well as the Improvised Play Festival in Austin TX.
Tightrope impro theatre
Hot out of our new venue at 2343 Main Street, Tightrope presents shows every Thursday, Friday and Saturday night!
Thursdays are Maestro, featuring a cast of improvisors pit head to head in competition. Only the improviser with the highest audience scores will stand as that night’s Maestro!
Fridays and Saturdays feature a variety of programming, with featured shows changing every few months, comprising of a cast of some of Vancouver’s best improvisers. Brent Hirose is a proud cast member and instructor with the company.
Details and tickets here!
Inside the Improvisor’s Studio
Coming out of Instant Theatre’s Prototype Festival, ITIS features Brent Hirose interviewing a new improvisor: Each interview delving into their approach to improv, comedy and life and following each interview a longform set inspired by the topics mentioned.