Our
Story
Please Applaud Improv was originally created in 2019 by Nico Herder. We offered drop-ins and workshops to the community through The CO. until COVID threw a wrench in our plans. Nico moved to Guelph and became a volunteer for The Canadian Improv Games. A few years passed and in 2024, Nico moved back to Chatham. Now that the pandemic was no longer in the way, it was finally time to get started again. Please Applaud Improv was re-opened in 2025, now offering more drop-ins, workshops, and an in-house troupe for performances!
Who is Nico Anyway?
Hi there! I'm Nico, the owner and creator of Please Applaud Improv. I'm a queer & disabled non-binary individual who uses he/they pronouns.
I was born and raised here in Chatham-Kent. I began improvising at 13, starting an improv club at my elementary school. The next year I became a member of the CKSS Improv Team. I was on the team all throughout my high school career, eventually becoming captain of the team.
During the summer of 2018 and 2019 I attended the Improv University Program offered through The Canadian Improv Games, including their leadership program, where I was on the Dean's List. After graduating, I started Please Applaud Improv in 2019. We operated for a short period until COVID took us out. Due to that, I moved to Guelph where I become a volunteer with The Canadian Improv Games for multiple years, until finally moving back to Chatham in 2024.
Now that I'm back in Chatham, I run Please Applaud Improv and coach the CKSS Improv Team. In my spare time you can catch me hanging out with my 3 cats, making art, or playing ukulele.
