Improv

Review:  The Second City’s ‘America; It’s Complicated!’ at the Kennedy Center

There’s not much to laugh at in politics today. Nor is it easy to make fun of diversity, gender, Putin, or Pepsi. But that doesn’t prevent the team of talented comedians at Second City – now in their...

‘Legendary: Sweet Slice of Liberty’ by TBD Immersive

TBD Immersive, DC’s very own immersive theater company, brings a new production to the city this weekend. This time the show comes to life at Slim’s, a funky DC diner located at the corner of Georgia...

Three Truths I Took Away From Second City’s ‘Generation Gap’

Are we brave enough to laugh at ourselves? That’s a question The Second City explores in it’s latest comedy show Generation Gap, playing now through August 12th at the Kennedy Center. The show blends...

Review: ‘Late Night Double Feature Improv Show’ by Fells Point Corner Theatre

By Bill Kamberger Improv is life; after all, we do it every day. And since many would claim that theater is life, performing improv in a theater seems only natural. There’s a reason, though, that even...

Musical Theater and Improv Join Forces at Washington Improv Theater

“Quick! We need a word. Any word,” says Travis Charles Ploeger, director and accompanist for iMusical, an improv ensemble out of Washington Improv Theater. He’s standing in a black box theater,...

Review: ‘Damned If You Do’ by Upright Citizens Brigade at Woolly Mammoth

By Beatrice Loayza “So, what are we seeing again?” my friend asks me at dinner prior to the show. Pause. I scrape the corners of my mind for a suitable answer, but the reality is– “I have no clue.”...

In the Moment: ‘Power and Lunch’ at Atlas INTERSECTIONS Festival

In the DMV area, there are plenty in the political and social elite who can be found clicking away on their social media working hard to make us aware of what we should think. These same folks are...

Interview: Musical Improv Duo Tara and Rance Discuss their Critically-acclaimed Show ‘HERE’ Coming to Imagination Stage in Bethesda

Veteran Chicago improvisers Tara DeFrancisco and Rance Rizzutto have traveled together to 20 countries and more than 50 U.S. cities to perform their improvised musical, HERE, recently called “nothing...

Preview: Washington Improv Theater’s ‘Wintry Mix’ at DC Arts Center

Now through February 4, Washington Improv Theater (WIT), the District’s oldest and only nonprofit long-form improv theater, presents Wintry Mix, a four-week medley of improv shows at the DC Arts...

Review: ‘Citizens’ Watch’ at Washington Improv Theater

One of the best things about improv is that no two shows are alike. And Citizens’ Watch, the improvisational mystery now unfolding at Washington Improv Theater, is no exception.

Review: The Second City’s ‘Divided We Stand’ at The Kennedy Center

They’re back! Second City–the group that made Chicago the capital of comedy and that all but invented improv–has returned to DC, where it is part of The Kennedy Center’s month-long second annual...

Interview: A Q & A with Arts Collective@HCC’s ‘IMPROVAGANZA’ Participants: Part One

Howard Community College’s Arts Collective’s What Improv Group?! is presenting Improvaganza, HCC’s (and Howard County’s, too) FIRST Improv Festival with Master Classes, on March 30, 31 and April 1,...

IMPROVAGANZA: Improv Festival and Improv Master Classes at Arts Collective @HCC

Howard Community College’s Arts Collective’s What Improv Group?! presents… IMPROVAGANZA! A Three-Night Improv Festival Mar 30, 31 & Apr 1, 2017, at 8pm in HCC’s Studio Theatre at the Horowitz Center....

Arts Collective @HCC Presents ‘A 2-Show Valentine Affair’ February 10 & 11, 2017

Directed by: S.G. Kramer and Daniel Johnston Creative Writing Coordination by: Tara Hart Music Performed by: Chris Sisson, Steven Caballero Stage Management by: Linwood Milan Production Assistance by:...

Review: The Second City’s ‘Unelectable You’ at The Kennedy Center

Billed as “The Second City’s Completely Unbiased Political Revue,” Unelectable You—now in the middle of a four month pre-election national tour—paused in Washington, DC last weekend for a stop at The...

Review: ‘POTUS Among Us’ at Washington Improv Theater

A quick but firm handshake, a genuine embrace, a passing glance to own the room and most of all a nudge, wink and leaning in to make me feel welcome; I have met my first candidate and I haven’t even...

Arts Collective @ HCC’s “Underground Rooftop Coffee House” – An Artistic Collage, On Thursday, September 22, 2016

Arts Collective’s “What Improv Group?!?!” partners with HCC’s Creative Writers, Performing and Visual Artists, and HoCoPoLitSo Howard Community College’s (HCC) Arts Collective (AC) kicks off its 22nd...

Spine: ‘We Know How You Die’ and an Oracular Upright Citizens Brigade

We Know How You Die, the Upright Citizens Brigade’s improvised, audience participation exploration of the Oracle, its predictive methodology, and its impact on the American political—STOP! You will...

Arts Collective@HCC Holds Auditions for 2016-2017 Improv Group (WIG) Season on 6/23&24 From 6:30-9:30 PM

Howard Community College’s Arts Collective (AC) announces open auditions for “What Improv Group?!” / W.I.G.’s 2016-2017 Season, under the direction of S.G. Kramer & Daniel Johnston, on June 23rd and...

Review: Arts Collective @ HCC’s ‘W.I.G.nition: Actors and Writers Fire It Up’

On Friday, April 8, 2016, the fourth and final performance this season of W.I.G., (“What Improv Group?!”) – the improvisational group that is part of Howard Community College’s Arts Collective –...

HCC’s “W.I.G.nition: Actors and Writers Fire It Up” on Friday, April 8th at 8:00pm

Howard Community College’s Arts Collective’s “What Improv Group?!?!” (W.I.G.) partners with HCC’s Creative Writers and HoCoPoLitSo for an intense, innovative celebration of language and imagination...

Tonight 2/5@8pm: HCC’s Arts Collective Improv Group (W.I.G.) Presents a One-Night-Only Improv Show ‘A Valentine Fit for Queens’

HCC’s Arts Collective Improv Group (W.I.G.) Presents a One-Night-Only Improv Show “A Valentine Fit for Queens” on Friday, February 5, 2016 Howard Community College’s (HCC) Arts Collective continues...

HCC’s Arts Collective Improv Group (W.I.G.) Presents a One-Night-Only Improv Show ‘A Valentine Fit for Queens’ on Friday, February 5, 2016

HCC’s Arts Collective Improv Group (W.I.G.) Presents a One-Night-Only Improv Show “A Valentine Fit for Queens” on Friday, February 5, 2016 Howard Community College’s (HCC) Arts Collective continues...

A Report on ‘It’s A Wonderful W.I.G.’ at Arts Collective@HCC

Howard Community College’s Arts Collective continued its spirited 21st season line-up with its second of four shows, a one-night-only holiday improv show called It’s a Wonderful W.I.G., featuring its...

‘Seasonal Disorder’ at Washington Improv Theater

‘Tis the season for jolly laughter, and if you like humor that’s loopy, irreverent, quick-witted, and fresh, you’ll fit right in at Washington Improv Theater’s annual Seasonal Disorder. It’s all made...

Arts Collective’s “What Improv Group?!?!” (W.I.G.) Presents ‘It’s a Wonderful W.I.G.!’ This Friday, 12/11@7:30 PM

HCC’s Arts Collective Improv Group presents Holiday Improv Fun for Everyone THIS Friday, December 11, 2015 at 7:30 PM Arts Collective’s “What Improv Group?!?!” (W.I.G.) presents It’s a Wonderful...

Arts Collective’s “What Improv Group?!?!” (W.I.G.) Presents ‘It’s a Wonderful W.I.G.!’ on Friday, 12/11@7:30 PM

HCC’s Arts Collective Improv Group presents Holiday Improv Fun for Everyone on Friday, December 11, 2015 Arts Collective’s “What Improv Group?!?!” (W.I.G.) presents It’s a Wonderful W.I.G.! A...

The Women’s Voices Theater Festival: ‘The October Issue’ at Washington Improv Theater

Over 50 DC theater companies have joined together this fall to showcase new work written by women. All the big names in the area ranging from Arena Stage and The Studio Theatre to Shakespeare Theatre...

‘Underground Rooftop Coffee House: Voices from the Edge’ at Arts Collective at Howard Community College

Opening their 2015-2016 season, Howard Community College’s Arts Collective presented an evening of improvisations by their own improv group called What Improv Group?!?! or W.I.G?!?! This troupe is...

‘Eat The Runt’ at Arts Collective at Howard Community College

College theaters have always been forerunners in experimental theater, and Arts Collective at Howard Community College’s zany production of Avery Crozier’s Eat the Runt is no exception. The play is a...

Arts Collective @ Howard Community College Presents ‘Eat the Runt’ April 17-May 3, 2015 in HCC’s Studio Theatre

Arts Collective @ Howard Community College presents EAT THE RUNT April 17 – May 3, 2015 in HCC’s Studio Theatre An outrageous, delicious, comic satire – Audiences choose the cast every night Howard...

A Duo of Dance and Comedy: Arts Collective @ HCC’s ‘Hallow-Scream’ and Washington Ballet’s ‘Petite Mort’

The late Alan M. Kriegsman once told dance critics at a conference that a “laundry list” of reviews should be avoided at all costs. With apologizes to Mike (who was a dear friend and colleague),...

HCC’s Arts Collective’s “What Improv Group?!?!” HALLOW-SCREAM show, Friday, October 24, 2014 by Susan G. Kramer

HCC’s Arts Collective’s “What Improv Group?!?!” HALLOW-SCREAM show, Friday, October 24, 2014 AC’s improv group (W.I.G.) returns for a Halloween 1-Night-Only Improv Show, featuring its popular, unique...

The Second City’s ‘Happily Ever Laughter’ at The Barns at Wolf Trap

A group of smart, funny and nice-seeming comedians from the famous Second City improv group of Chicago entertained about 600 appreciative people at the Barns at Wolf Trap last night. Since its...

Arts Collective’s “What Improv Group?!?!” Spring Fling Friday, April 4! by Susan G. Kramer

Arts Collective’s “What Improv Group?!?!” Spring Fling Friday, April 4! Improv troupe rounds out its out-of-control successful 3-show season with a Spring Themed Improv Show featuring its popular,...

‘Seasonal Disorder’ at Washington Improv Theater by John Stoltenberg

Washington Improv Theater has been tickling DC audiences for 15 years. When I discovered the madcap company a while ago, I got hooked on the spot. Hooked as in addicted. Feeling the need for a...

Arts Collective at HCC Kicks Off 19th Season with ‘What Improv Group?!?!’ This Friday, September 27th by Susan Kramer

ARTS COLLECTIVE at HCC announces its 19th SEASON! Kick-Off: “What Improv Group?!?!” Friday, September 27 with OUTSTANDING Special Guests! Howard Community College’s Arts Collective (AC) – Over the...

‘Seasonal Disorder’ at Washington Improv Theater by Flora Scott

I am an actress, but improv – although entirely and absolutely necessary to act organically – was not something I had ever tackled in and of itself, on it’s own turf. Thinking creatively on your feet...

‘POTUS Among Us’ at Washington Improv Theater by Jessica Vaughan

If you find yourself taking this election season as little too seriously, are sick of self-important talking heads on TV, or if you want a few good-natured laughs, POTUS Among Us by the Washington...