Burn The Script!
About a month has passed since The Improvaneers! completed their first major Midwest tour! The dust has settled and we are ready to talk about this life changing experience.
Some important facts we want you to know before diving into our adventure…
The Improvaneers! are the world’s first ALL Down syndrome improvisation troupe. Cast in 2018, they have travelled the world sharing laughter, touching lives and shattering the narrative placed on those with developmental disabilities. Rooted in NE Ohio, The Improvaneers! have dedicated nearly every Tuesday, since 2018, to honing their skills as improvisors and perfecting their performance agendas. Their dedication and passion for their craft is unmatched.
The Improvaneers! ‘s first home was Stand Up For Downs, a non-profit dedicated to supporting the Down syndrome community through comedy and laughter. Founded by Rob and Ellen Snow!
In 2020, The Improvaneer Method LLC was created and began offering classes in-person, live and online, to the Down syndrome community. Today our company serves not just the Down syndrome community but offers classes open to all abilities, typical and neurodivergent all across the United States and Canada. This is the new home of The Improvaneers!
Okay now back to the story…
It all began when filmmaker Alex Le May and CEO/Creator of The Improvaneer Method Rob Snow reconnected after Alex had finished his most recent project documenting the war in Ukraine. Rob and Alex first met in Chicago back in the day and stayed in touch over the years. While Covid halted their first attempt at a collaboration, their determination to share the story of The Improvaneers! persisted and 2025 was the year they were going to make it happen!
Diving right in, no one quite knew what to expect, but one thing Rob and Alex did know, was that this story needed to be told, and The Improvaneers! deserved their time in the spotlight!
The Performances and Tour…
Canton, Ohio 📍
1st Stop: The Improvaneers! kick started filming with a show set in Canton, Ohio celebrating the month of March which is Developmental Disability Awareness Month! Partnering with ArtsInStark, The Improvaneers! performed onstage at the Canton Cultural Center for the Arts. The best part? The Improvaneer Method’s North Canton group that runs out of Walsh University, led by Bridget England was the opening act!!
Cleveland, Ohio 📍
2nd Stop: The Improvaneers! performed for the first time at Playhouse Square in Cleveland Ohio! This performance was part of the BorderLight Fringe Festival. The Improvaneers! quickly sold out their venue and even had to ADD seating options due to demand! After a stellar performance, we found out that we had won “The Spirit of The Fringe” award, which honors groups with true innovation and embody, “the unique characteristics of the festival, such as resilience, creativity, groundbreaking work, teamwork, and support for the artistic community.”
Bloomington, Indiana 📍
3rd Stop: The Improvaneers! headed to their very first Best Buddies National Leadership Conference! There they performed for a crowd of 3,000 people! Yes you heard that right, one of our biggest shows EVER!
Chicago, Illinois📍
4th Stop: The Improvaneers! spent 3 days in the Windy City performing and seeing the sights!
Read more below about our full Chicago play by play!
This was when we really saw the true capabilities of our Improvaneers! shining through!
Chicago Day 1
The Improvaneers received an amazing send-off in the morning from our friends at the Medina County Board of Developmental Disabilities — they rolled into Chicago early evening, and quickly turned around to grab dinner and watch some improv comedy shows at Annoyance Theater!
Chicago Day 2:
The Improvaneers second day kicked off with an unforgettable tour at 2nd City, thanks to the incredible Kelly Leonard! Afterward, we chomped down on burgers at the legendary Billy Goat Tavern! The team took to the streets to promote our Thursday show and the Burn The Script Movie! We wrapped up the night with a phenomenal show at Improv Olympic’s I.O theater!!
Chicago Day 3:
Included a little sightseeing and some strolls down Michigan Ave, and lunch at Mr. Beef! After a quick recharge, we headed to Theater on the Lake for an incredible night — our performance, an epic 80’s/90’s cover band, and plenty of time to reconnect with friends, family, and fellow Improvaneers. The cherry on top? THE Nate the Great joining us on stage!
Cincinnati, Ohio📍
5th Stop: The Improvaneers! went from Chicago to Cincinnati in a mad dash, turned around in 45 minutes, and raced to the The Know Theater for their first show of the night! Despite the time crunch, exhaustion and limited food, they had two fantastic audiences and performances. The Improvaneers! even had the pleasure of meeting one of our new Cincinnati Directors Emily! The Know Theater was a pleasure to work with, and we're so thankful for the warm welcome from Cincinnati!
Columbus, Ohio📍
Our final performance of the trip took place at the DSA of Columbus’s Adult Conference.
After some lunch, rest & a pre-show rehearsal they brought the house down for over 150 self-advocates and peers!
Dancing, an amazing performance from Emily a celebratory cheers & goodbyes to our amazing crew rounded out the night!
Canton, Ohio📍
Just one day after returning home, 4 Improvaneers headed down to Canton, Ohio to perform for the Stark ESC back to school in-service day at R.G. Drage! The morning of Improvaneer Adam texted, “I’m so excited to see you all again.” That’s after spending a whole week together!
The educators loved the show, and it was the perfect “Encore” to round out an amazing string of performances!
In the word’s of Rob Snow, CEO/Creator of The Improvaneer Method:
“This tour has been intense, draining, and a bit chaotic — but more than anything, it’s been inspiring, beautiful, hilarious, transformative, revolutionary, eye-opening, and everything I hoped for. I can’t wait to share more about what we’ve accomplished!”
And it’s not over yet! Burn The Script! is just getting started and gaining momentum! Editing is underway and The Improvaneers! calendar is already filling up for 2026. After the release of the docu-series we anticipate many more whirlwind adventure! Right now is the calm before the storm and your chance to bring innovation, inclusion and world class performers to your area!
Book The Improvaneers! Today!