14th Annual Providence Improv Fest Makes it All Up

The 14th Annual Providence Improv Fest, held from September 21-23, will feature over 40 improv comedy troupes from across the country performing a variety of styles of improv. The bill includes acts from LA, NYC, Philadelphia, Chicago and Boston.

“The festival is a great opportunity for people to see the expanding local comedy improv scene that continues to thrive each year, alongside some of the best national acts in the country,” said producer Tim Thibodeau. “It’s gotten bigger and bigger and more successful (each year).”

Orange Tuxedo is husband and wife Craig and Carla Cackowski, who aim to create grounded relationships formed by eccentric characters. Craig has had recurring roles on television in “Veep,” “Community” and “Drunk History.”  Carla hosts the popular podcast “Improv Yak” and teaches and directs sketch shows at Second City in Hollywood.

Another headliner is Trew + 2: Chris Trew plus two strangers from the audience with no improv experience. Trew + 2 is a big hit on the comedy festival circuit and is appearing at several festivals this year. Trew is a comedian, pro wrestling manager and improv teacher based in New Orleans, where he is the co-founder and creative director of The New Movement, a theater and training center. Trew has written a book about improv (Improv Wins) and is a comedy festival veteran having produced, performed in or founded nearly 50 festivals since 2008.

There will be seven all-female groups including The Amie and Kristen Show. Amie Rowe and Kristen Schier are best friends and seasoned festival performers who perform an organic and fluid improv comedy show that’s been featured in fests around the US and Canada. It is their second trip to The Providence Improv Fest.

Airwolf is a favorite of the Providence Improv Fest. They have been performing at the fest for years and have many local ties to Rhode Island. Members of the troupe have appeared on Comedy Central, The Onion News Network, ESPN, Nickelodeon and Adult Swim, among many others.

Trudy Carmichael Presents: The Improvised One-Woman Show creates a fully realized One-Woman Cabaret based on audience suggestions of a show title and their personal objects.

CRISIS: An Improvised Comic Book is half improv comedy and half graphic novel with all the strengths of both mediums, but none of their weaknesses.

As with last year’s PIF, there will be a family-friendly show on Saturday, September 23, featuring Warwick’s Bring Your Own Improv and Boston’s over 50 act Elderberry Jam. The show will be a pay-what-you-can event with all proceeds going to the Roll for Rob Fund and Manton Avenue Project.

The event takes place at AS220 Black Box, 95 Empire St and AS220 Main Stage, 115 Empire St, both in downtown Providence. For more tickets & information, visit the Providence Improv Fest website at providenceimprovfest.com