Massive Improv

Massive Improv is an improvisational theatre company based in Houston, Texas. Through the teaching and performing of longform improv, Massive aims to create a community of talented improvisors, actors, directors, and writers. Massive has performed in numerous festivals across the country such as The Del Close Marathon^[1], The San Francisco Improv Festival, the Dallas Comedy Festival, the Phoenix Improv Festival and the Out of Bounds Improv Festival.^[2] Massive also teaches workshops & team building in conjunction with corporations, public schools, and youth groups.

The performers come from a diverse background and represent a wide variety of academic and professional disciplines including actors, writers, dance instructors, engineers, lawyers, and teachers. Massive has former players now performing at some of the most prestigious theaters in the country including IO Chicago, IO West, and The Upright Citizens Brigade. Massive Improv is committed to improvisational theater as an art form, not just a vehicle for comedy. The human experience runs the gamut of emotions and the company strives to keep the options open to more than just the happy ones.

History

Massive Improv, formerly known as Massive Creativity, was founded by MacArthur Antigua in 2004. On August 1, 2006, Massive Creativity moved from Houston, Texas to St. Paul, Minnesota resulting in Massive Improv becoming its own entity run by the remaining ensemble members.^[3]

Performance Style

Otherwise known as Chicago-style improv, longform is story-based improvisation focused on developing character and story so that an audience becomes invested in the work being done on stage. Much of the comedy in longform is from connections made in the story, layers of meaning, and relationships between characters. It is theater without a script and the cornerstone of Massive Improv.^[4] This art form has gained popularity over the past 10 years in Chicago, New York, Los Angeles, Toronto, Austin and now Houston.

House Teams

There have been several improv teams that have performed under the Massive Improv umbrella.

• 8-Speed Doll
• D1G1-B1TCHE5
• Ensemble At-Large
• F*squared
• Ivan
• Massive
• re: mankey
• Scatter!
• Space Cassettes
• Strictly High Fives
• Soviet Bunnies
• TBA Sweethearts
• Vitiligo

Notable Recommendations

www.stubdog.com named Massive Improv as one of the 10 Funniest Things in Houston.^[5]

See Also

• Improvisational theatre

Notable Alumni

(2008) Mike Yager

Notes

1. ^ 7th Annual Del Close Marathon, http://www.delclosemarathon.com/dcm7/index.php?option=cal&venueid=4, July 24, 2005
2. ^ Out of Bounds Festival 2009, http://www.outofboundsimprov.com/2009/shows/frimarathon.html September 4, 2009
3. ^ Massive Creativity, http://www.massivecreativity.com/?page=improv
4. ^ Olivia Flores Alvarez, http://www.houstonpress.com/2008-07-03/calendar/massive-improv , Houston Press, July 02, 2008
5. ^ www.stubdog.com, "10 Funniest Things in Houston"