Delaram Hajipour is a Vancouver improvisational comic. When checking out her show you are the inspiration. The world around her inspires her to create characters based on your ideas. We connected with her to learn more.
How would you describe your comedy style?
Improvisational comedy. Improvisational theatre is spontaneous theatre made up on the spot using audience suggestions. Every show, every character and every night is different. Naturally, that has a dose of comedy within it.
Within improvisational theatre, my style is hyper-focused on storytelling and intentionality. I love the idea of the audience walking away with wonder at how a nuanced storyline could have just been made up on the spot. I’ve also really enjoyed experimenting with how cultural identity can be represented on stage.
Who are some of your influences?
Everyday people are my biggest influence. In improvisational comedy, you draw a lot from your day-to-day…so thanks very much to my neighbours, colleagues, friends and family – you all make great topics on stage!
Who was your favourite comedian growing up?
Tina Fey. As a woman who started her career in comedy from improvisational theatre in the 90s and was part of the first gender-equal cast of The Second City in Chicago, she was [and still is] my hero.
Who is your favourite comedian now?
It’s hard to pick just one, but Jenn Fischer, Maya Rudolph and Ali Wong definitely come to mind.
What is your pre-show ritual?
I nap, I bathe, and I put on makeup to hide the bags under my eyes from my daytime job.
What is your favourite place you have performed? Why?
The Conscious Lab in Gastown, Vancouver. It’s an open space, often used for events, yoga classes, etc. I love making unconventional spaces into performance stages for audiences and actors alike.
What is your favourite bit you have written and why were you proud of it?
You don’t write bits in improv, you make them up, so instead I’ll tell you about a favourite show I did one time when improvising a made-up James Bond movie – ‘Jane Bond’, the feminist 007. The rest is herstory 😉
What is your favourite medium for listening or finding new comics/comedians?
Going to improv and comedy shows at Little Mountain Gallery, also located in Gastown. It’s the best way to discover up-and-coming comics, watch great improvisers play, and watch a variety of different shows with different flavours.
Tell us a joke about your city.
I’ll tell you a joke about improvisers versus stand-up comedians:
A starving artist in comedy is when you get paid little or nothing to do your bits. In improv, you basically have to pay to have people come and watch you.
Do you have anything to promote right now?
Instant Theatre is an improvisational theatre school and company established in 1994 which trained generations of improvisers through the education program it offered in the community. This is where I started improvising too. After a pandemic hiatus (and a case of embezzlement), I’ve been working with a group of talented improvisers to bring back the “new” Instant Theatre. Since 2023, Instant has been back and at it! We offer shows, classes, and production opportunities for comedians and improvisers in the city. You can check out more on our website or you can follow our Linktree or Instagram for regular shows that we have at Little Mountain Gallery.
Where can we follow you?
@instanttheatreco | @bekhandcomedy
PAY IT FORWARD: Who is another local comic/comedian we should know about?
Sinéad Grewcock (she/they) is a queer improvisational theatre comedian living in Vancouver, BC. Sinéad has over a decade of experience in acting, improvisation, writing, directing, and producing for film and stage, and has been awarded numerous grants for her storytelling abilities. You can reach her here.
