Jet City Improv facts for kids
Jet City Improv is a fun improv comedy group that performs in the Seattle, Washington area. This group started in 1992 and is run by a non-profit organization called Wing-It Productions. Improv comedy means making up scenes, stories, and characters on the spot, often based on ideas from the audience!
Contents
The Story of Jet City Improv
Starting the Show
Jet City Improv was created in 1992 by Mike Christensen and Andrew McMasters. Their very first show was free and happened on March 18, 1992, at Second Story Studios in Seattle.
In July 1993, Jet City Improv began performing every Friday night. Later, in October, they moved to the Belltown Theater Center. Here, they started performing on both Friday and Saturday nights at 10:30 PM. This late-night show became a tradition that Jet City Improv still keeps today.
Finding a Home and New Shows
In December 1994, Christensen and McMasters started Wing-It Productions. This non-profit group helps manage all of Jet City Improv's activities. In 1997, Jet City Improv moved its shows to the Ethnic Cultural Theater at the University of Washington.
A new type of show called "Twisted Flick" started in October 1997. In these shows, the performers would add new voices and sounds to old movies, making them funny and new. The first one was for the movie Creature from the Black Lagoon. Twisted Flicks even started performing for Fremont Outdoor Movies in June 2000.
Jet City Improv also put on its first New Year's Eve show in 1999, called the "Y2K Bash." In 2001, they moved their shows to the University Heights Center for about a year. Later, Twisted Flicks moved to the Paradox Theater.
In April 2002, Jet City Improv created its first long-form improv show, called "The Lost Folio." This meant they performed one long, connected story instead of many short scenes. In February 2003, Jet City Improv took over the Paradox Theater. They renamed it the Historic University Theater, bringing all their shows to one place. That same year, they also helped start the first Seattle Festival of Improv Theater, a big event for improv groups from all over the country.
Learn to Improvise!
Jet City Improv offers many classes for adults who want to learn improv. These classes include different levels, from Improv 101 for beginners to more advanced courses. They also have "Drop-In Dojo" sessions every Monday, where anyone can come and practice improv skills.
It's not just for adults! Jet City Improv also teaches classes and workshops for students in high school, middle school, and elementary school. They even offer special workshops for businesses to help teams work better together and be more creative.
Improv for Good: Community Outreach
Since 1998, Jet City Improv has had a special program to help the community. They give free performances for events, children's camps, and fundraisers. They perform every year for groups like the NW Burn Foundation and the American Cancer Society.
In 2001, this program grew to include free workshops for young people who need extra support in the Seattle area. They teach weekly classes at places like the Seattle Juvenile Detention facility and the Sanctuary Arts Center, using improv to help young people learn and grow.
