- River City Improv
River City Improv is an improv comedy troupe based in
Grand Rapids, Michigan . The group is an alumni group affiliated withCalvin College . The troupe gives regular public performances inWest Michigan , and travels the country on behalf of Calvin College to support the fund raising efforts of regional alumni chapters and to help recruit high school students. The group comprisesChristians and prides itself in creating humor and wit without being offensive.History
In the fall 1993, founding members
Rick Treur andJeanne Leep found themselves alumni of bothCalvin College and its improv team. With the help of a few friends and fellow improvisors, River City Improv was formed as performing group with the intention of performing monthly for the greater Grand Rapids community.The first public performance, in February 1994, had an impressive audience composed of 12 friends and family. With several years of persistent advertising and performing, the group built a following that regularly filled its 125-seat theater space located at 10 Weston in downtown Grand Rapids. In order to accommodate its growing audience in its existing space, members of the group committed to performing 2 weekends a month, and later 2 shows per night. With an additional load of private performances, the group decided to move to a larger theater space and only have one performance per night. For a few years, River City Improv continued to test its audience by performing in several different locations, settling on the 440-seat theater in the Ladies Literary Club in downtown Grand Rapids, literally around the corner from its original location. RCI performed there until the Spring of 2005. In the fall of 2005 RCI moved to Wealthy Theatre, a historic theater in Grand Rapids, for almost two years, with its audiences following along. In the fall of 2007, RCI returned to the Ladies Literary Club after the historic structure was purchased by Calvin College.
In order to keep the groups Calvin College connection, summer public performances are held in the (air-conditioned) Gezon Auditorium on Calvin College's campus.
10-Year Anniversary
It's an interesting fact that the average lifespan of an improv troupe is less than one year. So when River City Improv reached the 10-year milestone, members thought it would be appropriate to celebrate. In February 2004, RCI gave its 10-year tribute performance with improvising, dance and multimedia to a standing-room-only crowd of 1200+. RCI members past and present were invited to perform on stage and celebrate at the following reception.
Performance style
River City Improv performs what is commonly referred to as 'short form' improvisational comedy. Similar to
Whose Line is it Anyway , shows comprise several skits/games which rely on audience suggestions and some form or structure. Occasionally shows open with a dance number, sketch comedy or even 5-minute tributes to various movies, television shows and other pop culture.Current members
Rick Treur "director, founder" (1993)Russ Roozeboom (1993)Wendy Nance (1993)Tracey (1993)
Michele Dykstra (1993)Marty Wondergem (1995)Adam Mollhagen (2001)Todd Herring (2001)Melissa Rozeboom (2004)Mike Ryskamp (2005)Dave Lyzenga (2008)Alumni Members
Jeanne Leep "founder"Mary Jane Pories Bob Dekker Marc Evan Jackson Jeff VanHaitsma Nathan Vandenbroek Leah Carpenter Joel Veenstra Davy Tyson Teresa TerHaar Judi DeJager Matthew Sahr Kirsten Kelly Dan Voetberg Kiff VandenHeuvel Christopher DeJong Beth DeVries External links
* [http://www.rivercityimprov.com River City Improv Web Site]
* [http://www.calvin.edu/ Calvin College]
* [http://www.calvin.edu/alumni/groups/ Calvin Alumni Groups]
* [http://www.wealthytheatre.org/ Wealthy Theatre]
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