RI: The First Two Years

This is it. I always knew we would last this long, but it also is thrilling. As an independent improv theater in a small town, we have lasted two whole years. And even more exciting than that is the fact that we seem to be stable enough that we can keep going as long as we want. It’s been a combination of luck, guile, planning, and wisdom.

I am thrilled with the level of art and the quality of entertainment we’re able to provide. We’re at a point where we haven’t put on a bad show in a good long time. Even our lowest quality shows at this point are still funny and watchable. Our training center has recently more than doubled in size, and is getting nothing but fantastic feedback. We’ve managed to book so far nine private shows in the months of June and July. And I’ve still got tons of great ideas… so many that I force myself to not write anything down unless the goal is closer than about six months out.

Our show this Saturday marks the two year mark. At that point we will have presented over 225 shows. We’ve called 24 different actors Imps, and we’ll have nearly half of them on stage with us for this anniversary show, including two actors from our very first show who have since moved on - Lauren and Tim, both of whom I’m thrilled to have back for this show.

I am completely thrilled with most aspects of the Roving Imp at this point, with the exception of drawing an audience. Audiences seem to be unpredictable… they run hot and cold… and even though they are for sure better than they used to be, I would still really enjoy being able to fill up the theater for my actors on a more regular basis. I know we’ve got the goods… and when people come, they enjoy themselves, even if some of the humor goes over their heads. I talked with my friend Trish, who is also insane in that she ran a theater for several years, and she said that her sellouts didn’t start consistently happening until after about five years. That made me feel better, but I’d still be awfully happy if that happened sooner.

A quick look at some of my 15 favorite shows of the past two years:
Grand Opening, April 7, 2007 - A terrible show with mediocre improv, but you never forget the first time, especially the game of Complaint Department that wouldn’t die.

Karaoke Night, April 21, 2007 - Our second show… we decided it would be cool to fill in with karaoke between games. Even in the middle of the show I realized what a terrible idea that was.

The Complete History of America, Abridged, Aug. 24-25, 2007 - The only scripted show we’ve presented (until later this month, when Martha Maggio presents her awesome show, “Fat.”) received fabulous reviews, was six tons of fun, and received the combined audience of an antique tractor show at KKK headquarters on the 4th of July.

Full Frontal Comedy, Oct. 13, 2007 - The first troupe I ever joined played at my theater, and were great. It was the first night the theater ever looked full, and I’ll never forget it!

Giving Thanks, Nov. 17, 2007 - Two words: Goat Goat. It’s like Turducken, but with only goat.

High School Improv Showdown, Jan-May 2008 - A great, fun, stressful time in which we did improv in between cajoling high schoolers to attend rehearsal. I will give it another go one day.

Imp Wars, April 5, 2008 - Our first anniversary Star Wars show - we debuted new games, a new longform, and set ourselves an anniversary pattern to follow.

Trivial Prov-suit, May 10, 2008 - I knew right away this show was going to be great.

Teenagers from Outer Space Movie Prov, June 21, 2008 - MovieProv would never be this good again. It was the perfect storm of audience and campy movie, and was a truly good time.

ABBA/Improv Jam, July 19, 2008 - The first time we had two shows in one place. Some of us went to do a scripted ABBA tribute I wrote, and some of us stayed behind to run the Improv Jam - Nifer’s first time hosting!

Omega Directive, Sept. 13, 2008 - The second OD show featured just three of us, and for the first time showed us the power of taking on someone else’s character.

Post-Holiday Headache, Jan. 3 & 17, 2009 - I didn’t think the audience could get better than our first show, until the 17th rolled around. For the first time ever, I didn’t think we were going to have enough seats. We did, but just barely.

Biblioclast: Revelations, Feb. 14, 2009 - We finally got the bugs worked out of the format, and ended up with an awesome show where I got to play The Beast.

Dictionary Soup, Feb. 21, 2009 - My favorite DS ever, where Keith and I played serious relationship work, weaving in the funny, all while going back in time, though Keith wasn’t really aware of it.

Omega Directive, March 28, 2009 - The most recent show we’ve done is also one of my favorites. Fun, fast, and completely uninhibited by conscious thought. This is how improv should be done.

I had to edit, because there have been so many highlights. Hey… since you’ve read this far, why not share a couple favorites of your own. I’d love to hear them!!

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