Kumu Kahua Theatre

Improvaganza had their 8th annual festival and it was a mix of traditions that have become part of that festival and completely new surprises. The Honolulu improv scene is constantly growing and changing and it reflects in a spectacular festival.

Many people assume the reason to visit an improv festival in Honolulu is spending a weekend in Hawai’i. And it’s not a bad perk. But the festival is one of the high water marks across the country for making the festival itself as rewarding and fun an experience for visitors as possible.

As a visiting performer, the variety of shows was one of the highlights of the festival. Most festivals generally tend to invite groups that are similar to the style of the town their visiting. But Hawai’i invites shows from drastically different schools. Funbucket from Seattle and Indigo Shift from Austin are stylistically about as far apart on the spectrum as you can be, but both were celebrated and both were shown to audiences that get to learn that improv isn’t just one thing. Geographically as well, Honolulu has the blessing and curse of being equally far for everyone. This year’s international entry came in the form of Paris Tales from – not surprisingly – Paris.

The Arts at Mark’s

The diversity doesn’t limit itself even to improvised theatre. Improvised musical performances from Leeni and the musical jam band and improvised movement and dance from Spatial Sculptors were part of the weekend as well. There was even improvised karaoke.

Another great gesture for performers is the walking situation of the festival as a whole. Visiting performers don’t always have transportation while in town. A cab ride was needed for many to get from their hotels to the festival, but once there, everything was a quick walk. Many good places to eat were nearby and both venues were within four minutes of each other. The Arts at Mark’s Garage and the historic Kumu Kahua theatre were both beautiful spaces well suited for improv and easy to travel between. This was great not only for getting to call times, but seeing other groups as well without being stuck at one venue all day long. This is something more festivals should strive for.

On a personal note, this was my fifth year going to Improvaganza. I am honored to have been invited back so many times to such a wonderful festival. My group Galapagos was inducted into the Five Timers Club and the pleasure to perform the closing show of the festival. It was a very special thing to me.

The Hawaiian culture is beautiful. Most visitors to the islands only see it in it’s commercialized, charicaturized form. But the real people who live their treat that culture with honesty and love. It’s a culture not dissimilar to that we all share as improvisors; support and trust. Mahalo Improvaganza.

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Currently Bill is an instructor at The Torch Theatre and producer for the Phoenix Improv Festival. He tours teaching and performing across North America.