| What: | The 8th Annual Phoenix Improv Festival |
| When: | April 16 - 18, 2009 |
| Where: | The Herberger Theatre Center, Stage West
222 East Monroe Street, Downtown Phoenix |
| Website: | www.phoeniximprovfestival.com |
What is The Phoenix Improv Festival?
The Phoenix Improv Festival is a three-day event, packed with shows, workshops and networking for improvisers and those who appreciate the art of improvisation. The Festival strives to bring the best improvisational entertainment to the Valley, while raising awareness about this brand new and rapidly growing art form.
The festival showcases improvisational comedy troupes from around the country, whose shows come in all shapes and sizes. There are short-form troupes that perform improv games, thoughtful and experimental troupes that perform longer scene-based work, and even fully improvised musicals and movies.
The first festival was held in 2002. In its inaugural year, three local Phoenix troupes performed.Last year’s festival featured over 30 troupes from Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami, Salt Lake City,
Seattle, Phoenix and beyond.
What is improv comedy and what’s it doing in Phoenix?
To improvise is to completely make something up on the spot, whether it be a song, a character, or in some cases, an entire movie. Improvisers create entire scenarios and shows from audience suggestion. Nothing is predetermined, and the performers must support each other’s reality through a course of scene work. Improvisation is also often incorporated into the broader study of acting technique and character development. Most notable improvised works include Christopher Guest’s movies Waiting for Guffman and This is Spinal Tap, as well as television shows “Curb Your Enthusiasm” and “World Cup Comedy.” Improv troupes in Phoenix perform a variety of forms, and the number of troupes in the Phoenix area has grown exponentially over the past few years. There are short-form troupes, which follow a series of games, much like “Whose Line Is It Anyway?” and there are long-form troupes that follow one theme or set of characters for the course of the entire show. Still other troupes are more experimental, like local troupe The Remainders, who improvise a full musical each show.
Also of note is the Phoenix Neutrino Project. Originating in New York, there are Neutrino projects across the United States. This technologically enhanced improv performance consists of an improvised movie that is filmed in real time and run back to the performance venue to be played for the audience. Performers from all over the Valley perform, produce, score and film the movie before the audience’s eyes!
Who produces the Festival?
The Phoenix Improv Festival is put on by CareFree Write Productions (CFWP), a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. CFWP was founded in 2000 by Mack Duncan as a small, independent production company.
Duncan partnered with Bill Binder in 2002 to form an official business, and now the company produces and promotes performance events, primarily but not limited to improvisational theatre. Some of the programs supported and promoted by CFWP include Apollo 12, The Remainders Musical Improv, and the annual Phoenix Improv Festival. This organization looks to serve as a support network for developing local artists, an educational resource for the community, and an integral part of Phoenix’s growing cultural movement.
Where can I find information on tickets and show times?
Ticket information and pricing will be posted on www.phoeniximprovfestival.com when it becomes available, as will all other information pertinent to the festival. Also, an official press release will go out with this information.
If you are not a member of the press and would like to be notified when tickets go on sale, please send your email address or phone number to
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with a request to be informed.
(Your information is private and will NOT be used for any purpose other than informing you of ticket availability. You will not be placed on any other mailing lists unless you specifically request further information.)
How can I receive press releases via email?
Send an email to
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and request to be added to our media list.
The Phoenix Improv Festival strives for:
Commitment to Local Artists – The Phoenix Improv Festival is dedicated to fostering the artistry of local performers. In addition to exposing local artists to the best improv from around the country, the festival also hosts workshops for local performers taught by some of the most celebrated improv teachers in America. Past festivals have included workshops by directors from the Second City, ImprovOlympic, and the Annoyance Theater. The festival also hosts an Arizona Showcase night, where improv troupes from around the valley, including high school and youth groups, get a chance to showcase their talent.
Commitment to Excellence – Every year the Phoenix Improv Festival submission committee hand picks the most groundbreaking, entertaining, and accomplished performances from dozens of improv troupe submissions. Each year, more troupes apply to become a part of this festival, which speaks not only the increasing interest in the Phoenix festival, but to the expanding talent base this art form is commanding. Commitment to Values – In addition to being an exciting and unique brand of theater, improvisation also promotes values and useful skills that can help people in the workplace, in their relationships, and in the community. The cornerstones of improvisational theater are active listening and teamwork. Other skills taught by improv, such as public speaking, confrontation of fears, confidence, and spontaneity, can be extremely advantageous in many areas of life. In fact, several corporations hire improvisation instructors to enhance productivity and workplace morale. Relationship counselors have also been known to use improvisation as a method of teaching skills such as listening, agreeing, and achieving common goals.
