THREEPIO

Montreal Improv’s Galactic Improv Championship.

Threepio was created in 2012 by Marc Rowland.

2026 COMPETITION DATES

Friday, Aug 7 at 9:30pm - Qualifier day 1
Friday, Aug 14 at 9:30pm - Qualifier day 2
Fridays, Sept 11 - Nov 27 at 9:30pm - 12 week competition
Friday, Dec 4 at 9:30 pm - Semi-finals 1
Friday, Dec 11 at 9:30 pm - Semi-finals 2
Friday, Dec 18 at 9:30 pm - Finals

Location: Montreal Improv (3716 rue Notre Dame Ouest)

Former THREEPIO winners <3

Fall 2025 - Was That Me?!
Fall 2024 - Polite Mutiny
Fall 2023 - Imploding!
Fall 2022 - The Actors’ Lounge
Fall 2021 - Grimmer vs Kramer
Spring 2019 - Pisco Sour
Fall 2017 - After This, We're Going To Tokyo
Fall 2016 - Soap Box
Winter 2016 - Feelings’
Spring 2015 - Nylon
Spring 2014 - Megafauna
Summer 2013 - Dream Hunks
Spring 2013 - Infernal Compass

How It Works

Qualifier Rounds

All established teams that apply will go on to perform in two qualifier rounds for a fast paced show where both the audience and our artistic director will be able to vote for the 9 teams who will go on to compete in the 12 week competition.

12 Week Competition

Each troupe gets 18-20 minutes per set with three troupes performing on each show. The audience votes for their favourites, with the team that finishes in first place getting 10 pts., second place getting 5 pts. and third place getting 1 point. In the event of a tie, teams will get 7 pts if they’re in first or 3 points if they’re in second.

At the end of the season, the top placing teams will enter into the finals round. The competition's winner will receive an exciting prize of $500 and 4 FREE 9:30pm production slots over 4 months — a total value of $1000.

This year’s teams

IMPORTANT APPLICATION INFORMATION


Established Teams Only
3PO is a competition for existing teams.
Teams that have never performed together before will not be eligible to participate. If you have a new group and would like to be considered for future editions of 3PO, we encourage you to apply to one of our community shows first. This gives the Artistic Director an opportunity to see the team perform and evaluate the group’s work before the competition.

Media & Promotion Participation Required
This season, we will be putting a much bigger spotlight on the competing teams.
Selected teams will participate in a promotional photoshoot and short video interviews before and after the competition. Additional photos and video may also be captured throughout the season, on stage and in the greenroom.

The goal is to help audiences discover the teams, build excitement around the competition, and create a stronger connection between performers and fans.
By participating in 3PO, performers agree to take part in these promotional activities and consent to the use of photos and video for marketing purposes.
Photoshoot day for the 9 selected teams will be on Sunday Aug 16 at 2:00pm


Multiple Team Applications
Performers may apply as part of multiple teams.
However, if more than one of those teams is selected, the performer must choose a single team to represent during the competition. No performer, musician, or onstage participant may compete with more than one team during a 3PO season.

Attendance
Teams must perform on their scheduled dates. If a performer is absent, the show goes on without substitutions. If you’re a duo and one person is missing, the remaining performer may need to shine solo. We’re committed to doing our best to accommodate everyone, but once scheduled, the dates are final.

Each team gets 15-18 minutes on stage to showcase their talent.


Application Details
As part of your application, please send us a group photo with all participants physically present. This picture should not be photoshopped, created in Canva, or AI-generated. After the application process, selected teams can feel free to send us creative photoshopped, Canva, or AI pictures for social media!

Please send your picture to admin@montrealimprov.com with the subject line:  [TEAM NAME] THREEPIO 2026 APPLICATION PICTURE

Team Selection
Qualifier rounds will be held to determine the 9 teams advancing to the competition.

Teams will be selected through a combination of audience votes and Artistic Director selection.

If you applied with multiple teams, you may perform with all of those teams during the qualifier rounds.

Set lengths during the qualifier rounds will depend on the total number of applications. Performances may be as short as 5 minutes.
Qualifier rounds will be held on Fri Aug 7 at 9:30pm and Fri Aug 14 at 9:30pm

Policies
Performers are expected to respect Montreal Improv's policies both on and off stage.

At Montreal Improv, we believe that improv is for everyone. We encourage teams to seek diversity and a variety of experiences in their members to reflect our commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion. 

Please take the time to view our polices here with emphasis on Section 5

Schedule

Friday, Aug 7 at 9:30pm - Qualifier day 1
Friday, Aug 14 at 9:30pm - Qualifier day 2
Sunday, Aug 16 at 2:00pm - Photoshoot day for selected teams
Fridays, Sept 11 - Nov 27 at 9:30pm - 12 week competition
Friday, Dec 4 at 9:30 pm - Semi-finals 1
Friday, Dec 11 at 9:30 pm - Semi-finals 2
Friday, Dec 18 at 9:30 pm - Finals