Stir Bedside Table: The Improv Centre's Jalen Saip

The Vancouver comedy company’s artistic director and performer talks Emma, Bossypants, and being “kinda funny…in a weird way”

Stir Bedside Table is a column where Stir connects with local artists and creatives to hear about some of their favourite reads.

The reader:

Jalen Saip

The Improv Centre, *Tall Tales: The Quest is Up to You!* Photo by Jalen Laine Photography

What’s your story?

I am both the artistic director and a performer at The Improv Centre (TIC) on Granville Island. Although I’ve been performing with the company for a few years, I began my time as AD in June of 2022. Since that time, I’ve had the pleasure of creating a new ensemble of performers and putting up some fun new show formats such as Stage Fright: An Improvised Murder Mystery; Happy Hectic Holidays; and most recently, Bring Back the ’90s, created by ensemble member Andrew Barber! We will soon be moving into rehearsals for our upcoming fantastical Summer show Tall Tales: The Quest is Up to You! by ensemble member Mary Saunders [running June 29 to August 19].

What's on your bedside table right now?

I’m working my way back through one of my favourite Jane Austen classics, Emma. I find comfort in rereading books that I love and knowing that everything will work out in the end!

The book that changed your life?

When I was around 11 years old, I read The Blue Castle by Lucy Maud Montgomery, most famously known for her Anne of Green Gables Series. The story is centred on a reserved young woman who is told that she has a terminal condition. She decides, quite uncharacteristically, to spend her short time living as boldly and bravely as possible – speaking her mind and seizing every opportunity. It was quite a revolutionary idea for a woman of that time, and I think, even as a young girl, it inspired me. The heroine of that book became a role model for how I wanted to live my life.

Most inspiring biography or autobiography?

Tina Fey’s Bossypants and Ellie Kemper’s My Squirrel Days are two of my all-time favourites. Both women are so incredibly funny and I can relate to the awkwardness of growing up as a young lady who was “kinda funny…in a weird way.”

Best beach-read?

I just had the chance to spend a couple of beach days in Florida and thoroughly enjoyed Don’t You Forget About Me by Mhairi McFarlane!

Working title of your autobiography?

Oh goodness… I guess it would have to be, French Fries, Make ‘em Ups & Other Such Frivolity.

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