In 2022, the Panthers won the national Improv Games competition in an event hosted online. This year, the team is chuffed to be heading to Ottawa to compete.

The Senior Panthers bested 20 other schools from across Canada in the Wildcard Online Competition to gain entry to the 2026 National semi final competition. They are joined by Belleville’s Easthill Elementary.

15 teams from across Canada participate in the semifinals at the National Gallery from April 15-17. The top five teams advance to the finals at the National Arts Centre April 18.

PECI Improv Coach Matthew Sheahan said he was proud of how the squad moved through the online wildcard competition to claim a spot in the Nationals.

“This team is one of the strongest we’ve had in quite a while,” Mr. Sheahan told the Gazette. “They collaborate, listen to each other and have really developed the ability to read each other and where each person will take the scene if given the opportunity.” The Junior Panthers also won in the online competition, but there is no national program for non-senior students.

When asked why they love improv, the answers came flying — as though the Panthers went into a pre-scene huddle.

“Community!” shouted Sorsha Drover.

“I love the friends I’ve made at improv! They are like-minded people with the same level of passion about the stuff you care about,” yelled Rowan Grills.

“I gain a lot of confidence doing improv and it’s an awesome creative outlet! I regret not picking it up sooner,” said Laughlin Cole.

And what sets the Panthers apart from other schools?

“We have a lot of style!” Thomas Rice said with a confident laugh.  

The team will be fundraising in the coming weeks to offset their travel and accommodation expenses. On Thursday, April 9th, the Seniors are hosting an improv show in the drama room. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and the show starts at 7.