“Improvisation is a stronger part of our culture than it has ever been,” says Todd Boring, executive producer of the 4th Annual Houston Improv Festival. “It’s not just for the so-called ‘improv nerds’ anymore. People from all walks of life are embracing spontaneity in life and art.” A four-day event filled with shows, a podcast recording and comedy seminars, the festival features ten of the Bayou City’s most talented improvisational comedy troupes along with heavy hitters from Austin and Chicago.
“It’s really a celebration of the Houston comedy scene,” says Rebecca Brown, festival co-producer. “And this is our way of showing the sheer variety of comedic styles we have out there.”
Festival highlights include performances from This Infinite Closet, a six-person team that takes the audience on a journey transcending physical boundaries; Ophelia’s Rope, a duo that performs what’s called modified deconstruction comedy; and festival headliner Jimmy Carrane (seen above) , a Chicago-based comedian known for his Improv Nerd podcast. (Carrane records a podcast episode in front of an audience on Saturday afternoon.)
“We’ve also got a first-ever family friendly-show on Saturday,” says Brown. “All our troupes performing will not only give up quality comedy, they’ve pledged to keep it clean.”
Improv Nerd podcast recording 4 p.m. Saturday; performances at 8 p.m. Thursday; 8 and 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Midtown Arts Center, 3414 La Branch. For information, visit houstonimprovfestival.com. $15 to $55.
Thu., April 16, 8 p.m.; Fri., April 17, 8 & 10 p.m.; Sat., April 18, 4, 8 & 10 p.m., 2015
This article appears in Apr 16-22, 2015.