If your an improvisor on the west coast, you know two things about Texas. First, it’s very big. Second, all the good improv festivals are on the east side. That makes for some pretty long drives with your troupe through less than scenic West Texas. But it’s worth it every time. Houston is a big part of that, and with the opening of The Station Theater and really passionate people like Shyla Ray, Todd Boring, Jessica Brown and a dozen others, it’s going to become more so. Houston is growing quick into a town where fantastic improv is happening all the time. I was fortunate enough to learn a little bit more about the Houston Improv Festival with Jessica.

Houston’s improv scene has really grown quite a bit in the last few years. Many performers – even touring ones – having been out there yet. What’s been happening in the last few years that lead to this growth?

This has been a huge year for improv in Houston. ComedySportz Houston just celebrated its 20th anniversary. Station Theater officially opened its new theater space last April, allowing them to increase their weekly performances and class offerings. The University of Houston’s Glaundor from won the National College Improv Tournament. Rice University added improv to their curriculum with Station’s Shyla Ray at the helm. We also have fantastic independent troupes like Rice University’s Spontaneous Combustion, The Univesity of Houston’s Phortasics, Opehlia’s Rope, Feelings and Babyknuckle.

Additionally, both theaters have welcomed special guest performers like Kevin McDonald of Kids in the Hall, Parallellogramophonograph, Greg Tavares, Chris & Tami, Jill Bernard and more.

Houston improvisers are growing a passionate community. We love what we do and we want to share it with the world. We also want to share the creativity and diversity of the world of improv with Houston.

What’s the scene like now?

The scene has a strong backbone of veteran performers but it is growing rapidly so there is a strong influx of youthful exuberance. Show offerings have drastically expanded. The overall improv audience is not only growing, it is embracing non-traditional forms. There is lot of experimenting and expansion of forms. ComedySportz expanded into long form offerings with Ampersand and their Unscripted series. This Infinite Closet, who performed at HIF last year, took home Best Original Comedy at the Houston Fringe Festival this year for their version of a Bat. Station also took on improvised Wes Anderson and Stanley Kubrick this year.

I know many of the theatres in Houston have had a lot of shared performers and ideals as other theatres in Texas and Louisiana, as well as their festivals. What are you hoping to bring from their festivals to Houston?

The best festivals and theaters promote the growth of a community and sharing of ideas. We want to continue to bring in strong talent and strong educational opportunities so that this community can continue to grow. We want to embrace all forms and all improvisers yet still keep the spirit of independence that is key to improv.

What are some of the things you think you can actually shake up and make your own?

We have really enjoyed the intimacy of the Houston Improv Festival the last two years. Last year was our first year to offer workshops. It was a powerful experience for groups from local theaters and universities to mix, mingle and share ideas. We want the Houston Improv Festival to continue to be a community building event and an opportunity for attendees to learn from some of the best in the business.

What are some of your goals in terms of exposing audiences to improv this year? What kind of groups are you hoping to submit?

We would like to see a strong mix of long form and short form troupes. Even though we have grown tremendously, Houston’s improv scene is still in its early stages. We want to showcase the diversity of talent in our region so that audiences have a broader understanding of improv overall

What can performers expect outside of shows when they visit? Will there be workshops or other events planned as part of the festival?

Last year we had hang-outs after both Friday and Saturday night shows. Those gave everyone an opportunity to do some networking with our performers and instructors. We are definitely going to continue that this year. For workshops, we are bringing in Jet Eveleth from iO Chicago, and our own Dianah Dulany of ComedySportz Houston. Finally, Sunday afternoon we will be screening “Close Quarters,” a movie featuring some of the improv greats of modern times.

What’s the weather going to be like in April?

One of the reasons we have the festival in April is that the weather is amazing – mid 70s to low 80s and gorgeous. It’s a great time to be in Houston.

When shows aren’t going on? What are some of the things performers can visit and do during the day?

There is so much to do in Houston. Of course, we will have our second annual karaoke party at Hefley’s Sports Bar on Saturday night. Our performance venue is not far from the main MetroRail which gives you easy access to Downtown, the Houston Museum District (www.houstonmuseumdistrict.org) and even the Houston Zoo. We have world-class museums like the Houston Museum of Natural Science, Museum of Fine Art Houston, The Menil Collection, The Holocaust Museum and so much more. We also have some unusual museums like the The National Museum of Funeral History, which is probably my favorite museum in Texas. I am in the tourism industry so I am pretty spoiled when it comes to attractions. I tend to go for the unusual!

The Greater Houston Convention & Visitors Bureau website (www.visithoustontexas.com) is a great resource if you want to explore Houston.

When the festival’s over, what would you consider the greatest compliment you could receive?

We had a blast and can’t wait for next year!

There’s so much to do and see in Houston. It’s a great chance to perform and play with passionate people. Submissions are still open, but they’re closing this week. For more info, feel free to contact Jessica directly.

(512) 689-3729
jessica@houstonimprovfestival.com

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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.