Forum Check out our Message Board and interact with other improvisers in Utah (and perhaps beyond). Improvisations A new improv troupe, Improvisations, is performing every Friday at 9PM at the Kaysville Firehouse Theater.

Hello and welcome to UtahImprov.com

This site is meant to be a gathering place and showcase for the Utah improv community. We are driven to stay objective in this pursuit, promoting all improvisers, organizations and troupes on an equal basis.

Another aim of this site is to showcase events that we feel are unique or even inspirational in the Utah improv scene. You may not agree with us on everything, but that's why we have a Message Board (or Forum) and email. That being said, let's begin!

The Forum
Be sure and participate in our online Forum. You can post news about your own group, ask questions, answer questions, or just plain be silly. Also, you can put forth your own ideas about what you think this site should have in it.

Ten Lessons: Part Four
Joseph Kyle Rogan looks around the improv community and realizes one undeniable truth: Bad improv is bad for improv. In this series he will address proactive ways to resolve this issue, including dealing with the press.

Ten Lessons: Interlude
Joseph Kyle Rogan looks around the improv community and realizes one undeniable truth: Bad improv is bad for improv. Joe looks back on what he's written so far and sums up some points with a few volumes of words.

Ten Lessons: Part Three
Joseph Kyle Rogan looks around the improv community and realizes one undeniable truth: Bad improv is bad for improv. In this series he will address proactive ways to resolve this issue, including shameless self promotion.

Ten Lessons: Part Two
Joseph Kyle Rogan looks around the improv community and realizes one undeniable truth: Bad improv is bad for improv. In this series he will address proactive ways to resolve this issue, including giving an honest appraisal.

Ten Lessons: Part One
Joseph Kyle Rogan looks around the improv community and realizes one undeniable truth: Bad improv is bad for improv. In this series he will address proactive ways to resolve this issue, including actively trying to better yourself.

Improv Thoughts
Austin Nava spends some time thinking out loud about improv and what he finds to be important. The result is an easy to follow, notebook approach that could have been written on spiral notebook paper... we aren't sure.

Pulling Me Back In
In an article perhaps only too appropriate for this site, Jake Arky describes his own experiences in taking a long break from improv and then diving back in. Perhaps this will inspire more people writing about this crack cocaine we call improv.

Revelation Forum
Everyone discovers what they feel strongly about in different ways. Whether it's talking through your own beliefs or hearing others talk and disagreeing, Ryan Locante preaches embracing that discovery and using it to find yourself.

Just Be On Stage
In a tirade befitting one of our improv community's curmudgeons, Joe Rogan explodes on his views about relationship over environment in improv scenes. Do us a favor and don't show this article to CleanFlicks.

Presence Matters One of our youngest, Camille Safsten, explores the issues surrounding age in improvisers, or if it all just comes down to a simple thing called "presence". In true Utah fashion, Jell-O somehow makes its way into the article.

We Are Not Alone
In an effort to reinvigorate our articles, Ryan Locante pushes the responsibility off onto the national improv scene by asking a simple question: How do you prepare for a show? See the various responses from improvisers all over.

You Got to Have Faith
When you are out there on stage, how alone are you? Do you feel like you can turn to someone? Jake Plumley suggests a few ideas to keep you from acting like some kind of George Michael sissy.

A Conversation with Adam Rossander
Ryan Locante takes his unhealthy fascination for blonde men even further by stalking one online. Check it out before our lawyers advise us to take it down.

Finding Balance
What happens when improvisers and non-improvisers (muggles) try to date and make the magic happen? Find out what Dawn Mueller has to write on the topic and try not to guess who dies!

First Annual Utah Improv BBQ
The pictures of our get together in July are finally up! Check them out and marvel at the sarcasm that is Jesse Parent.

Happy Pioneer Day!
Due to this state holiday (we guess) there will be no July issue. Yay pioneers!!

Improv Starts with an "I"
Lots of people wonder how they can find their own improv style on stage. Ryan Locante addresses how just being you can be good enough (if that fails, be Paul Weinberger!).

Two's Company
Too many chefs and all that. How can you keep a scene from becoming a train wreck of extra improvisers? Check out some ideas from Jesse Parent.

Interview with Curt Doussett
We head down south to mysterious Provo for this interview with the ComedySportz Utah chieftan. Check out the fun as we see if Curt is tough enough.

USU's Battle of the Improvs
Matt Speer takes on the first UtahImprov review ever. His long trek up to Logan, Utah to review Utah State University's Battle of the Improvs is documented in this tome. Warning: Contains mild nudity (topless Russes).

Beginning Musical Improv: Part 3
Guest writer Ben Brinton concludes his series on the foundations of musical improv. In this column, he approaches rhyme and tries to resolve the whole East Coast/West Coast thing.

Improvise!
For a special treat, we have taken a video documentary on three Utah improv troupes done by Logan Rogan and pawned it off as our own. See the videos and judge for yourself whether we get expelled for plagiarism or not.

Spotlight On: Quick Wits Salt Lake City
Come celebrate as Quick Wits starts a new era at their very own theater! Check it out!

Raising the Stakes
See how adding pressure and consequences to a scene can make it more fun and interesting. Read the column and hate dentists in a new way.

Spotlight On: ComedySportz Salt Lake
The next chapter in the local ComedySportz saga actually closes the book on the Skinny Lincolns. Find out how!

Interview with Eric Jensen and Ben and Melissa Porter
Since our interviews haven't been long enough, we talked to three of the owners of the Laughing Stock at once to see what would happen. Check out the interview and all the tip-tip-tippety-tap action it entails.

Beginning Musical Improv: Part 2
Guest writer Ben Brinton continues his series on the foundations of musical improv. In this column, he approaches melody and how to be a Backstreet Boy.

More Important Than You
Ryan Locante take a Ms. Manners approach to improv to explain how to be polite in a scene. While we would never refer to them as improv rules, they do help understand how to support your partner and make the scene go a little easier. This becomes important if you want to make a good impression on Paul Weinberger.

Happy Halloween!
Due to this national holiday (sure... that's the ticket) there will be no October issue. Trick or treat!!

Interview with Bob Bedore
Bob Bedore, el capitan of the famous Quick Wits, lets us bend his ear over an assortment of issues. We look into his colored past, his aspirations in professional wrestling, and his take on improv as an entertainment venue in Utah. Check out the interview, and then catch War and Peace for some dessert.

Beginning Musical Improv: Part 1
Guest writer Ben Brinton starts off a series on the foundations of musical improv. In this column, he approaches rhythm and how to recognize and use it.

Giving and Taking Notes
Ryan Locante explores the inner workings of taking and giving notes. What is too much, what is not enough, and what is just being too sensitive? Unfortunately, this does not address how to truly understand how cool Paul Weinberger is.

Interview with Lincoln Hoppe
In our inaugural effort, we interview former Garrens and current Skinny Lincoln head honcho, Lincoln Hoppe. Lincoln covers the bases from his humble beginnings as a Portuguese skit maester to his current efforts in pushing the boundaries of his own group's performances. Read the interview, it's as long as your arm.

Competitive vs. Collaborative
Ryan Locante tackles this touchy subject. How competitive should a competitive show be? How boring is collaborative? Is Paul Weinberger just not the coolest person you ever met? Decide for yourself after reading this.

Solo Improvisation
Improv all by yourself. Strange, maybe... but fun as heck! Check out Jesse Parent's view on this form in this article.