Written Testimonials
Meet Marg Haynes, the Director of AIPA. Read more about her here and on her website.
WHAT PARENTS HAVE TO SAY:
Justin came back pumped and very excited by what the Canadians are doing, as well as the quality of the workshops he attended. He learned heaps, had fun and was absolutely beat when he got home (as it should be).
George, parent of Justin, International Grammar School Sydney, Australia
Jess (Year 10) is clearly very enthused by the whole Canadian Improv experience. Since returning a week ago she is still excitedly telling stories about both the work side of the trip and also the social side of the trip. Jess is now firm on her direction with choices of HSC topics at school and seems to have grown in confidence and drive.
For parents it great to see your daughter have such positive and significant experiences at such a young age.
Doug, parent of Jess, Abbotsleigh, Sydney
My daughter has come back with wonderful reports from her trip abroad.
She has never felt so confident in herself and is a better performer and person for participating in the tour.
I’d recommend this to any parent who’s having second thoughts about sending their child away, as I can guarantee you won’t regret it.
Jennifer, parent of Sophie, Kincoppal Rosebay
Thankyou so much for the experience afforded Angus by attending the CIG, He had great time and has returned having made new friends, gained confidence, learned new skills and above all had a wonderful time. Thankyou so much for ensuring his safety. We look forward to a continuing relationship with you.
Mac & Heather, parents of Gus, Knox, Sydney
I think Ellie improved her confidence on stage by watching the Canadians perform and by learning from her tutors. Additionally, she learnt the importance of teamwork; participating when required and allowing others the space to be creative.
Rosie, parent of Eleeza, Abbotsleigh, Sydney
Thank you for taking the kids ... They obviously had a great time, learnt a lot, and did very well!!! It is no mean feat taking so many kids?..and l think you are wonderful to take them and give them such incredible opportunities!"
Thanks again, Judy and Roger - Sydney
Once again thanks for giving Ryan the opportunity to do the Ballarat tour last week. He thoroughly enjoyed the whole time there and seemed to gain some good hints/tips from all the drama coaches.
He had a fantastic time and was over the moon to say the least with his win in the solo section. Please pass on our thanks to all concerned for a great time."
Ryan and Lyndee Madden - Orange
I have been meaning to contact you for awhile and this has prompted me! I just wanted to thank you and your team for the wonderful experience that Natalie had. Without your initiative in coming to a rural area Natalie would never have had the opportunity ... So thank you and please convey our thanks too other staff members.
Best wishes Glenda & Brian G
WHAT TEACHERS, PROFESSIONALS & OTHERS HAVE TO SAY:
As an Australian based casting professional and Canadian, I am absolutely thrilled to see that the Canadian Improv Games is finally coming to Australian shores. I can’t wait to be involved in this event and be a representative of both countries. As I teenager I watched the games and could see the value it brought to my peers.
Now, working in casting, we ask actors to improvise all the time and the more skilled improvisers book the jobs – it’s that simple. Bringing the Canadian Improv Games to Australia is long overdue. I can’t think of a better medium for bringing not only our two countries together, but our performance communities and youth as well.
Alicia Elden, Casting Associate, Kari Harris Casting FOX Studios, Australia.
As a teacher of eighteen years and an industry professional working in talent development in Australia and the US (with top production companies and casting directors in LA & NYC), I cannot recommend the Canadian Improv Games and their team highly enough. The trainers and administration team are dedicated, efficient and accommodating. They ‘know’ and understand teenagers and can reach them on their level, whilst maintaining ultimate respect and control.
There is nothing like CIG anywhere else in the world. I am honoured and privileged to be working with CIG and am proud to bring the team to Australia to further Improv in this country. Australian teenagers will know how lucky they are after five minutes with the CIG trainers. I wish I had this opportunity when I was growing up!
Marg Haynes - JP, BA (Hons), ATCL, LTCL, FTCL (p), ACE, CSCA, CVCA.
The Director of the Australian Institute for Performing Arts
We are happy to support The Australian Institute for Performing Arts to bring the Canadian Improv Games format to Australian high school students. It looks like a great programme and we are happy to be involved.
Geoff Bartlett. Improv Australia. The Highschools Comp
Recently I had a number of students audition in Orange to hopefully be a part of your Drama Squad. That aside, I would like to congratulate you on your friendly approach, your professionalism and general manner. All who participated have come away with such a positive experience , that from a teaching point of view, I couldn't have wished for any more.
In this business I am only too aware of how quick people are to let you know if they don't particularly like something. This email is intended to be the opposite.
Thankyou for providing the students with such a wonderful experience. Stephen.
WHAT STUDENTS & TOUR PARTICIPANTS HAVE TO SAY:
Through the Performing Arts Tours I met a group of amazing people, learnt more than I could have hoped for and fulfilled my dream of filming in Hollywood. I will definitely go again!
Cheers guys, Alex T
Just a quick thank you or should I say a ‘……’ thank you to Marg and all at AIPA for giving me the opportunity to fulfil my dream, living and working in Los Angeles.
I can’t thank AIPA enough and would recommend them to anyone who is up for a challenge, prepared to work hard ‘oh’ and meet some amazing people who become mates for life!
To experience and gain the best available training is difficult to get but with AIPA tours it makes it so much easier for actors like me.
Honestly guys I’ve toured with AIPA on several projects and have never been let down once. Especially Marg’s ‘behind the scenes’ outings….thank you guys. Will be definitely doing this again in the near future.
Gus V.
The Performing Arts Tour not only taught me valuable skills to enhance my acting ability but taught me a lot about myself. These experiences have further validated my love for acting and life. I couldn’t fault the staff, the programme or the opportunities that were available to me and I can’t wait to go back again.
Gina X
Thank you so much for the fantastic trip!!! It was so much fun, i had the best time! Thank you for organising everything and looking after me and bringing me home safely! I appreciate eveything you did for me and for giving me the opportunity to travel and experience such wonderful things! Thanks for all the memories that i will never forget! Jess
Hello to every one and thankyou for an EXCELLENT time! It has done lots for me"
Yours faithfully, Tim Blackman – Mudgee
Just wanted to say a big thankyou for the tour. Once again u'v done so much for me and everyone else so im extremely greatful. Cant wait for more!"
Love Nik x - Dubbo
Thanks for everything! I enjoyed the trip so much, and learnt a lot. I will always remember it! Your organisation made it truly the trip of a lifetime.Thanks once again"
Ariana - Sydney
Thank you for such a great trip!!! It was such a great experience and i learnt so much from all the workshops! All your hard work really showed and i thankyou so much for that.
Thankyou for everything. Arissa
This trip has been absolutely amazing: I have met so many wonderful people and learnt so much. The tutors were excellent and I have gained so much knowledge about the acting industry that was so beneficial. The trip has meant so much to me and everyone was so happy and excited and has been so pleased with the out come of the trip.
[The teachers] were so good to me and I really enjoyed their company, knowledge and skills. If you could please pass on the biggest thank you, that would be great.
Mitch gave up so much of his time and helped all of us with our scripts, terminology and monologues, I appreciated it so much.
Patsy was a mother figure and helped everyone out.
Mandy was excellent, she did so much, she is superwoman.
John was awesome: he kept us all in good spirits and did an amazing job at looking after us all.
James was so much fun and I had a blast in California Adventure Park with him.
Sarah B
It's a week after and I'm still on a high from how amazing it all was, and honestly life changing. The Canadian Improv Games exceeded my expectations in so many ways. The games and all involved build such an Improv Community, the standard of performance was so high and I learnt so much in that one week doing workshops with such talented people.
I feel so privileged to have participated in something that supports, encourages and challenges your ability in Improvisation and Drama. During our tour I met so many inspiring and friendly people and had experiences that I will truly never forget.
In shorter words, it was honestly the greatest two weeks of my life. Thank you so much Marg for working so hard to give us such an opportunity! Can't wait for a reunion.
Elisha (16) Sydney Girls High School, Sydney, Australia
Becoming part of the AIPA Improv team was the best thing I’ve ever done. From the first practise till the final performance I never looked back. My Improv skills have improved so much - more than expected and I now feel confident with whatever I do - not just in improvisation, but life. I met a diverse range of great people through CIG and have created strong, lasting friendships with my team mates.
Be a part of CIG because it’s an unforgettable experience you won’t regret. There is no substitute for it; you just have to see it to believe it! Join in, take part and you’ll learn what improvisation is all about.
Sophie (17) Kincoppal Rose Bay, Australia
Firstly, I would like to say a very big thank you for this fantastic journey to Canada! CIG is an amazing experience and I loved every second!
I really feel I have gained so much from this experience. I have learnt that teamwork is very important and to try do your best at all times and not to worry about what others think, just play your character with commitment and confidence.
I recommend this to anyone who is willing to try something new, who enjoys improvisation, who is willing to share their skills with others and meeting new friends. CIG helped me definitely with my confidence in performing and I feel it can do the same for others! Thank you again very much and I will never forget this experience!
Ellie (15) Abbotsleigh, Sydney Australia
Firstly I would like to thank Marg and Jon for taking such good care of us on this amazing trip. This trip to Canada was a life changing experience. In Ottawa I met people I will never forget and made friends that I feel are true gifts. I have always loved improvisation and it is a big part of my life.
Before the trip I was worried that improvisation wasn't for me. Going to Canada and just being around people like me, people who love improv, love making people laugh, people who love to help people escape their minds for a 4 minute scene - and just get lost in their imaginations and in a world you create - gave me lots of confidence.
Equally I have never in my life felt so at home with people who share my interests. I learnt so much on the trip from a large and very talented group of Improv teachers who opened my eyes to new elements and methods of improv.
This is a journey I think that every kid should get a chance to take because every kid deserves a chance to feel so peaceful and connected. The trip to Canada and working with the CIG was the most amazing and greatest thing I have done in my life so far.
Justin (16) International Grammar School, Sydney, Australia
The CIG was an amazing experience that I will truly remember! I will never forget all the hours we spent as a team, working harder and harder to make it work and to get those absolutely perfect moments and finally on the performance night, all that showed. All the hard work, teamwork and the trust all showed through.
I will take so many things away from the CIG with a confidence and a newfound smile that is to be found on all of us improvisers. Because, to us, all the hours of hard work and practice (which we didn't even realise) was worth it because we were just having fun!
Guys I dare you if there is anything you will find more enjoyable than Improv with CIG. Trust me, do it! Why? because it was the most fun I've ever had.
Paul (15) The Scots College, Sydney Australia
From the minute I got up to the minute I fell asleep I didn’t stop smiling, learning and loving IMPROVCAMP. It was AMAZING!! Thanks so much for giving me the experience of a lifetime. I gained lifelong friends from all over Australia (and Singapore) and skills which will always come in handy. THANKS HEAPS!!
I would just like to say thank you to all the staff on the 2005 Ballarat Tour for giving me and the other cast the opportunity to learn a huge amount about what acting is really all about.
The motel, QANTAS, the coach lines etc all looked after us so well, they made us feel like we were celebrities
Thanks for taking such good care of us all and for having the patience and time for each of us. A special thank you to Jan Russ, whose job must be so full on, but at the same time, so interesting, she is a wonderful lady. I am looking forward to doing more acting courses and learning all that there is to know about the industry. The experience has made me think about learning more about live performance ie: theatre and stage etc.
This really was an experience of a lifetime and my parents and I are very grateful for the opportunity to go. I met some of the nicest people whilst in on tour with AIPA, and the competitors were all great people, it is nice to make new friends.
Thank you all once again, I look forward to learning more about acting in the future and I would like to keep in touch with AIPA, if that is OK."
Nic Rebellato - Forbes NSW
WHAT STUDENTS HAVE TO SAY ABOUT OUR CAMPS:
Improvcamp was possibly the BEST decision I have made for myself in a long while. The teachers were truly amazing, wonderful and talented people. I appreciate and am eternally grateful for their dedication to this camp and all the knowledge they have put into my head about Improv and basically just having fun.
At first I wasn’t too keen on attending this camp because I’ve never really been that spectacular at Improv, I’ve never really had the confidence to get up in front of a crowd and just be flat out silly or act as a character nothing like me at all.
But there’s just some things normal theatre acting or acting for screen can't cover, so I suggest to EVERYONE, and I don’t just mean EVERYONE, I mean EVERYONE should give Improvcamp a go.
Even if you’re not an improviser or an actor, it doesn’t matter what you are, either way you’ll develop life skills that will come in handy for you. Looking forward to next year! Keep up the good work, Canadians!
Improvcamp 2009 was one of the best weeks of my life to date! The accommodation was set in a beautiful location, the food was delicious and the workshops were so useful not to mention fun!
I have come out feeling so much more confident in my acting and improvisational ability. All of the instructors and staff were so friendly and enthusiastic and that added so much more to the experience. The friends I have made on this camp are some of the most wonderful and interesting people I have met and I miss them all so much! I recommend this camp to every single actor/performer out there.
If you have a passion for drama, improvisation, making new friends, Canadian accents, copious amounts of food, then improvcamp is for you! There are just so many different people out there and when all the diversity comes together a great concoction of fun is made. Honestly, this camp is worth every penny and every minute because it truly is the "Best Camp Ever.
IMPROVCAMP was the most awesome week I have ever had. It sounds a little crazy to go to a camp to 'learn how to improvise' but there are actually many things to learn about improvisation, and it is a whole lot of fun to do this...
I met some of the most amazing people whilst at this camp including the Canadian instructors and AIPA staff, and made so many great memories. It was an extremely encouraging, fun environment filled with friendly, the talented, and the kooky, I couldn’t have possibly asked for more.
When I first heard about improvcamp I was just awestruck that such a wonderful experience was staring me in the face. I literally begged my parents to let me go and they finally agreed to fill out an application.
Improvcamp was fantastic, everyone is so much fun and the teachers are perfect. I was learning something all the time and being exposed to games I'd never seen before and the food is scrumptious. In Improvcamp you meet new people, learn so much and have so much fun!!!
IMPROVCAMP was literally the best camp ever. I hadn’t experienced Improv before, but it opened a whole new area for me to explore within performing. If I could recommend one thing for you to do, it is this! I LOVE IMPROVCAMP! best.camp.ever!
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