Monthly Archives: August 2016

You’re going to want to be there when IF Happens

Cincinnati’s OTRimprov proudly presents the Third Annual Improv Festival of Cincinnati (IF Cincy). This year’s Festival features improvisors from Chicago, Los Angeles, Atlanta, Detroit, Ann Arbor, Portland (OR), Minneapolis, Louisville, and Cincinnati. The festival runs September 6-11, 2016 at Know Theatre of Cincinnati in Over-the-Rhine. If Cincy is excited to expand this year’s Festival with an episode of the Improv Yak Podcast on Tuesday September 6 and an additional performance night on Wednesday September 7.

Craig Cackowski, known for his roles on Community, Veep, and Drunk History as well as earning three Del Close Teacher of the Year awards at iO West in Los Angeles, and Amber Nash known for her role as the voice of Pam Poovey on the hit animated show Archer and her work with Dad’s Garage, Atlanta’s Best Improv Theater for the last 15 years, are in two of our headlining troupes, Orange Tuxedo and Fun Bags, respectively.

Produced in partnership with Know Theatre of Cincinnati’s Jackson Street Market, IF Cincy has also benefitted from the support of business sponsors and individuals willing to support the festival through crowdfunding. IF Cincy marks the sixth anniversary of OTRimprov, a group of dedicated improvisors who created the strong improv community in Cincinnati while winning Best Improv Troupe in Cincinnati for 2015 and 2016.

Local troupes performing are Basement Dwellers, Coincidence Improv, Don’t Tell Anna, Highly Improvable, Killer B’s, The Middle Child, OTRnext, Portals to Possibility, and What It Ain’t.

National improv performers traveling to Cincinnati are B&B (Portland, OR), Bearded Men (Minneapolis, MN), Damaged Goods (Louisville, KY), Devil’s Daughter (Chicago, IL), Fun Bags (Atlanta, GA), Human Amusements (Detroit, MI), The Improvised Sondheim Project (Chicago, IL), The League of Pointless Improvisors (Ann Arbor, MI), Orange Tuxedo (Los Angeles, CA),  and Shade (Chicago, IL).

Many of the performers taking the stage in the evening will also be hosting workshops for experienced and beginner improvisors, giving Cincinnatians an opportunity to learn alongside the impressive visiting national talent. Workshops will be offered by Megan Leahy & Leslie Sharp (Fun Bags), The Improvised Sondheim Project, and Craig & Carla Cackowski (Orange Tuxedo). In addition, for the first time OTRimprov will be offering a workshop focused on teen improvisors in the Cincinnati area.

“For our third year, we wanted to raise the bar with a bigger and bolder IF Cincy,” says Kat Smith, co-director of OTRimprov. “In addition to top-notch improv troupes from all over the country, we’re adding another night to accommodate more local troupes from the ever-expanding Cincinnati improv scene. Our workshops this year include a musical improv workshop and a teen-focused workshop.” Smith continues, “Six years ago, you would have been hard-pressed to find a monthly improv show in Cincinnati. Today, there are multiple shows a month at venues across the city. Thanks to the efforts of this small but mighty community, we continue to build a thriving improv scene here and IF Cincy lets people know improv is here to stay!”

The All Access Pass allows entry to all five evenings, Tuesday – Saturday, for $90, the Weekend Pass covers Friday and Saturday evening’s performances for $70, and a One Night Pass is available for entry on either Friday or Saturday evening for $35.

Single tickets are $5 each for the Tuesday September 7^th Improv Yak Podcast performance, $10 for Wednesday evening, and $20 for Thursday – Saturday’s performances.

 The Basics:

Who: OTRimprov presents
What: Improv Festival of Cincinnati (IF Cincy)
Where: Know Theatre of Cincinnati, 1120 Jackson Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202
Featuring: Improv artists from Chicago, Los Angeles, Atlanta, Detroit, Ann Arbor, Portland (OR), Minneapolis, Louisville, and right here in Cincinnati.
Tickets: http://www.ifcincy.com
How Much: Single tickets (Tuesday) $5, Wednesday ($10) (Thursday-Saturday): $20, All Access Pass: $90, Weekend Pass: $70, One Night Pass: $35 (Friday & Saturday only).