Richmond Improv Festival Part Deux
The Richmond Comedy Coalition is one of the groups performing at the Festival.
Get ready to laugh, Richmond.
Starting tonight, over 20 improv comedy acts from nine different cities come together for the 2nd Annual Richmond Improv Festival presented by ComedySportz and the Richmond Jaycees.
Performances on Thursday are scheduled at the downtown Capital Ale House (623 E. Main Street) and Friday and Saturday’s shows will be at the Rhythm Hall at CenterStage (600 E. Grace Street).
"We're really excited that the festival is the first of its kind event at the new CenterStage," says Festival Producer Zach Ward. "The Richmond Improv Festival is right up there next to Avenue Q [also playing at CenterStage this weekend]. Producing the festival on a professional stage gives us a bit of legitimacy and it lets visiting groups from outside Richmond play right in the middle of downtown. It’s going to be an incredible vibe for everybody."
The improv groups participating come from places like New York, Philadelphia and Baltimore, but many of the troupes - Made of Bees, Fusebox, Full Contact and iProv - are from right here in Richmond.
"We have so many different acts on each night, people are going to have a different show no matter which night they come to. Or if they come to all of them."
Friday night's show with the ComedySportz players is also a benefit for Camp Virginia Jaycee. $5 from every ticket will be going to the camp.
Also, on Saturday Nov. 7 from 1-3pm, the Festival is sponsoring a free Public Improv Workshop for anyone who wants to check out improv.
"Anyone can come and no experience is necessary," Ward says. "This gives our fans and audiences an opportunity to check out improv on their own terms. Improv skills are fundamental to active listening, communication, team work and leadership. Oh yeah, and it helps you be real funny."
Ward hopes that people come out and enjoy the show as well as see improv as a genuine art form.
"Improv is continuously relevant, more so than any other type of art," Ward says. "Depending on what’s going on in the world that day, improv can reflect it easily."
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