The Kinkonauts (Owen Chan, Lauren Cochrane, Jason Lewis, Mandy Sellers) are an improvisational theatre troupe in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. They formed the group in 2007 over their love of the longform style, and have since become Calgary’s premiere (and only) longform troupe!
Who we are:
Jason Lewis
For the past decade, Jason has helped individuals and teams uncover their improvising selves. In the corporate world, he leads learning on change management, leadership presence, coaching and innovation. He brings a unique combination of management insight, creative process and laughs to his practice. Having worked with executives, professionals, admirals and teens he can quickly connect with any audience and make learning relevant. As a founding member of The Kinkonauts he’s performed for four years in Calgary and on stages throughout North America. Past appearances include the Toronto International Improv Festival, the Edmonton Improv Festival and the Calgary Improv Festival. Jason has trained with the the Second City, Jill Bernard and Improv Olympic.
If ever The Kinkonauts tour South America, he speaks Spanish…and also does a great Russian accent.
Owen Chan
By day, at Lord Beaverbrook High he coaches improv troupes; directs high school plays and musicals; teaches Drama and Technical Theatre, and the illustrious Professional Development in the Arts. As an original founding member of The Kinkonauts, he’s performed weekly and special event shows since its inception in 2007. Owen’s past stage time includes the Toronto International Improv Festival, Edmonton Improv Festival and Calgary Improv Festival. Way back in 2003, he directed, trained and performed for three seasons with the University of British Columbia Improv Players.
During his down time you might find him playing the guitar, juggling, singing or eating hot wings.
Lauren Cochrane
Lauren currently resides in Vancouver, but she visits regularly!
Mandy Sellers
Mandy currently resides in Toronto, and is famous.
Current ensembles:
The Adventure
When done right improv has an energy that can’t be replicated. Performers work without a net, constructing scenes and building characters on the fly, while bringing the audience along for the ride. Calgary’s newest improv troupe, The Adventure, is taking this free flowing form of theatre one step further. Instead of opting for quick laughs or games, The Adventure creates improvised worlds as if performing in strange unwritten plays.
The group was formed by Kinkonauts founding member Jason Lewis, who chose 11 of the best and brightest graduates from the improv program he runs with fellow Kinkonaut Owen Chan. These 11 members bring with them a variety of improv, comedy, and acting experience from high school lunch hour performances to international festivals.
Under the artistic guidance of Lewis, The Adventure is discovering it’s own style of long form improvisation. One that challenges improvisers and audiences alike. In the world of improv punch lines only provide endings, the real laughs happen during The Adventure.
Past Troupes:
IMPROV GROUPS IN THE WORLD WE LOVE:
- The Loose Moose (Calgary)
- Dirty Laundry (Calgary)
- The Improv Guild (Calgary)
- The 404s (Calgary)
- Rapid Fire Theatre (Edmonton)
- Impatient Theatre Co. (Toronto)
- The Sunday Service (Vancouver)
- UBC Improv (Vancouver)
- Outside Joke (Winnipeg)
- The Magnet (New York)