The Washington Improv Theater is much more than
a performance group. It is a training ground for performers in the unique
branch of the performing arts that puts almost as much emphasis on thought
process as on speech, movement and the like. But what is improv without
performance? (No, that’s not a zen question.) To retain and sharpen their
skills, they need an audience and they welcome them at 10:00 each Friday and
Saturday in June. At only $10 a ticket, its a great late evening activity on
a night out.
Storyline: Long-line improvisation being what it is, no storyline exists
at the start of the show – it evolves as the show goes on. A group of about
half a dozen, out of the troupe of eight regulars, takes the stage and
starts to wing it. Bits are assembled and, when they are on top of their
game, material from one bit fits into another until themes emerge. Some of
it feels like standard exercises (like improvising a living pop-up book on a
subject suggested by the audience) and they obviously have a large supply of
standard reactions. But they combine in a different manner each night and
watching these performers cope with the unexpected is half the fun.
The night we attended the group included WIT’s Artistic Director, Katie
Carson whose quick mind is a driving force in the performance. She
established a rapport with the audience that made it easy to find volunteers
who provided topics, suggested details and even took the stage.
Mark Chalfant contributed a keen sense of physical comedy. In one bit he
set free an imaginary bird from his finger which, through eye movement and a
slight nod of the head, Chalfant made everyone see fall to the ground. Tyler
Korba left the hall while the audience came up with details he would have to
guess at to perform a mock-eulogy upon his return. Leah Rader’s nimble mind
contributed a number of quirky turns to keep the plots from getting
stagnant.
Eli Ilano provided musical support from a keyboard set stage right while
an uncredited artist ran the light board to enhance the theatricality of the
performance by changing colors and areas. Whoever has that task would be
challenged by the fast pace of change as the minds of the improvisers run
amuck, and the challenge was fairly well met the night we attended. But the
entire concept of improvisational lighting is an unexplored area. Perhaps
WIT should institute a course called Improvisational Lighting 101.
WIT members include: Katie Carson, Topher Bellavia, Mark Chalfant,
Christopher Himes, Sarah Holt, Tyler Korba, Leah Rader, Mark Raterman, and
Justin Warner.
