Wow. As those of you who’ve been reading this blog for a while know, I perform with Washington Improv Theater (WIT), and improv is a huge part of my life. So I was a happy camper when I sat down with my bowl of cereal this morning, and discovered that the cover story of the Washington Post Weekend section was all about the local improv scene.
What’s more, the author, Ellen McCarthy, actually seems to “get” improv – mostly because she seems to have really listened to local improv artists describe their craft, rather than jumping to the conclusion that improv is just what you see on Who’s Line Is It Anyway. Kudos, Ms. McCarthy, and to my fellow local improvisors, I raise my glass!
If you haven’t ever seen an improv show, I highly encourage you to check one out; the Post article says it well:
…sometimes what happens…is spectacular. Sometimes it’s flat. Often it oscillates between the two, and then it’s gone, and whatever was done there will never be done again.
So we come as spectators, to see what forces of imagination our mercenary players can bring. And we come as voyeurs. Because it’s a rare thing, in this time and place of press releases and polish, to catch a glimpse of a naked mind.
I’ve included some links to local improv groups below. Of course, my bias is towards WIT, but there are a number of other groups as well, each with their own style, including:
Comedy Sportz
Season Six (often perform with WIT)
The Lodge
Precipice Theater
Baltimore Improv Group
Over and out.