Providence Improv Fest

The Annual PROVIDENCE IMPROV FEST is back, 11 years old, and ready to play:  Performances and improv workshops will be held September 18-20, in downtown Providence at 95 Empire Street (formerly Perishable Theatre).

  This year%u2019s theme is Ocean State 11%u2014all three floors of 95 Empire will be transformed, Vegas-style, into a weekend-long celebration of Improvisational Theater.  (No, there will NOT be gambling%u2014but there will be prizes given away at each show!)  Over 35 groups from across the country are going to be included in this year%u2019s festival.
  The FEST is welcoming back the excellent Magnet Theater Tourco from New York City, which creates long-form improv narratives under the direction of the legendary Armando Diaz.   Other headliners include Bill and Ace of Available Cupholders, who hail from the improv Mecca, Austin, TX; NYC%u2019s North Coast, who bring a mixture of high-energy improv combined with rapping commentary; and The Improvised Puppet Project, from Portland, ME.  (The IPP is a FEST first---bringing stories to life, as their name suggests, through the art of puppetry!)  Other high quality acts include Training for Prom (Baltimore, MD), Man vs. Improv (Hollywood, CA), Big Bang (Boston, MA), and Fest favorites Airwolf and The Garys (NYC, NY).

  New this year is a Saturday afternoon FREE Family-Friendly improv show, hosted by Providence%u2019s Bring Your Own Improv.  Families can come and join in the fun for an hour-long show that begins at 2pm.  There is no admission charge, but PIF will be taking donations for the local children%u2019s theater non-profit The Manton Avenue Project.

%u201CThe level of high-quality improv comedy in this year%u2019s FEST is off the charts,%u201D according to PIF Coordinator Tim Thibodeau.  %u201CWe have an incredible variety of performers, and are very excited to have so many accomplished artists visiting Rhode Island.  With groups from Hollywood, Austin, Baltimore, Portland%u2014we are reaching out coast to coast.  This is going to be a blast for everyone.%u201D

 Once again, Providence itself has a very strong showing at this year%u2019s FEST, as the number of groups fostered by the Providence Improv Guild (or PIG) has continued to grow.  As with last year%u2019s FEST, PIG, the state%u2019s primary improv resource, is helping to sponsor the FEST%u2019s out-of-town improvisers.  The FEST will showcase 8 teams that originated at PIG, a testament to the enthusiasm and support for the craft of improvisation that has made Rhode Island a national improv presence.

 Local Favorites Improv Jones, the Bit Players, Speed of Thought Players, and more will be joining the fun.  For a complete list of confirmed participants, and other details about the FEST go to the PROVIDENCE IMPROV FEST website at www.providenceimprovfest.com.