About the Company

Bios for current crush members are found here

In early 2007 a number of local improvisers started a weekly workshop play date at the University of Ottawa (sneaking into any unlocked room to practice). After a few weeks, there were five individuals that were there every week while others came and went. Those five folks started to book gigs. So they gave it a name.

the gang at their first official show under the Crush name

Crush Improv hit the stage for the first time in the November of 2007 at Club SAW with a core cast of Brad MacNeil, AL Connors, Des Connors, Cari Leslie and David Lindsay. Since then, the gang has performed in front to packed houses at The Mercury Lounge, GoGo’s, the Black Sheep Inn and The Gladstone Theatre. They produced a number of collaborative shows such as the hit Improv Awareness series and the Friday Skypetacular, where, for the first time ever, improvisers performed via videoconference as one troupe from two different cities with two different live audiences.  In 2008 you could go to Crush Fridays at GoGos (no longer exists). In 2009 you could go to Tuesday Make-em-ups at the Cajun Attic (no longer exists).

Dave, AL, Des, Cari, Brad (GoGo’s, 2009)

In 2010 the gang started their Monthly show ‘Bout Time! at the Elmdale Tavern (very much still exsists) which is now a staple of the Ottawa comedy community.  In 2011, Crush (AL, Brad and Cari) created the show Spotlight On… (an Armando-style, monologue inspired show) for the Ottawa Fringe festival and took home award for Outstanding Ensemble.

Spotlight On… promo photo | AL, Cari Brad (Ottawa Fringe, 2011)

A present, the core cast consists of AL Connors, Des Warmington, Tim Anderson and Dan Lajoie with musical director Glen Gower.  Members in absentia include Cari Leslie (Amsterdam), Brad MacNeil (Vancouver) and Jordan Moffatt (Toronto). ‘Bout Time! continues the first Monday of every month and Spotlight On… has partnered with The Gladstone to showcase the season’s directors.

Tim, Des, Brad, Dan, AL (Elmdale Tavern, 2012)

Bios for current crush members are found here