Now in its second year, Houston Improv Festival goes beyond the predictable set-ups of the Whose Line Is It, Anyway? improvisation franchise, showcasing the deeper spontaneity of the craft from13 troupes. ”Whose Line is a highly structured form of improv,” explains festival founder and producer Todd Boring. ”The games they play are clearly defined with specific rules. Most of the teams at [this] festival are performing longer sets with minimal structure and no rules.
”One of our big goals this year is showcasing the diversity of improvisational theater as an art form,” Todd adds. To wit: hometown troupe This Infinite Closet performs completely in the dark, and we’re not speaking metaphorically.
7 p.m. Thursday, 7 and 9 p.m. Friday, 8 and 10 p.m. Saturday. Midtown Art Center, 3414 LaBranch. For information, call 713-909-4439 or visit houstonimprovfestival.com. $15 to $45.
Thu., April 18, 7 p.m.; Fri., April 19, 7 & 9 p.m.; Sat., April 20, 8 & 10 p.m.; Sun., April 21, 9 a.m., 2013
This article appears in Jun 14-20, 2012.