In Tulsa, prep your home for the warmer weather at Expo Square’s Greater Tulsa Home and Garden Show on March 7-10. Stick around the area for the adorably cute but highly competitive Tulsa Dog Training Club Agility Trials, March 15-17, as well as dinosaur extravaganza Jurassic Quest on March 22-24. (Oklahoma Citians – the event runs March 15-16 at the OKC Fairgrounds!) The Tulsa PAC hosts reporter Mary Louise Kelly on March 8, brought to town by Tulsa Town Hall. Also at the PAC is Dinosaur World Live, perfect for the kiddos, on March 21. The BOK Center also plays host to Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live Glow Party on March 16-17.
Car enthusiasts won’t want to miss the OKC Auto Show at the fairgrounds, running March 1-3. The area also welcomes the OKC Home and Outdoor Living Show on March 22-24. And one of the biggest cultural events of the year – the Red Earth Native American Cultural Festival – is happening March 22-24 at the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum. Other goodies outside Tulsa and OKC include the Parkstomp Music Festival, March 15-17 at Town Center Mainstage in Medicine Park; the Queensferry Renaissance Festival, March 16-17 at Park Hills Motel and RV Park in Vinita; and the Sunny Side Up Film Festival, March 22-24 at Miami’s Coleman Theatre.
As for St. Patty’s Day activities, try the Eufaula Green Run 5K, March 16 at Eufaula’s Xtreme Amphitheater; the Stockyard City St. Patrick’s Day Parade, March 16 starting at 2303 Exchange Ave. in OKC; Sham-Rock the Gardens, March 17 at OKC’s Myriad Botanical Gardens; Shamrock the Rose, March 16 in Broken Arrow’s Rose District; or the Kilkenny’s Saint Patrick’s Day Celebration, March 17 on Tulsa’s Cherry Street.
KAMERAD!, Brummett Echohawk, Pawnee, Pencil, 2021.02.17. Photo courtesy National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum
Art exhibitions run the gamut this month.
In Tulsa, make sure to catch Champagne & Chocolate at Living Arts before its run ends on March 16. The show features 46 artists and more than 100 works, with mediums ranging from paint to woodwork.
108 Contemporary’s March exhibition Cynthia Marcoux: Beaded Memories runs until March 24. The exhibition showcases a collection of items that have been transformed with beads, creating tangible tributes to the artist’s childhood.
Philbrook has plenty to see and do this month, as well. Visit until April 25 for Collidoscope: De La Torre Brothers Retro-Perspective. Featuring dozens of colorful blown-glass objects, the exhibition also offers elaborately framed lenticular prints for a dynamic viewing experience. Next up at Philbrook is Wyeth: Textured Visions of Nature, running through June 9. The show follows the works of three generations of the Wyeth family, who all produced content that pays homage to the natural world. Lastly, enjoy Here Be Dragons: Mapping the Real and the Imagined, through Dec. 29. This exhibition presents artworks from the Philbrook permanent collection that span over three hundred years of history.
In Oklahoma City, the OKCMOA welcomes a new exhibition this month – Magnificent Beauty: Georgia O’Keeffe and the Art of the Flower, from March 9-July 7. The famed artist’s works can be seen alongside photography from Imogen Cunningham – both of whom shared a fascination for flowers. Through March 17, don’t miss First Look: New to the Museum, showcasing a variety of genres and art movements, all exploring the overarching idea of space.
The National Cowboy Museum has three exhibitions to peruse, all closing April 28. The first is Treasures from our Atherton Vault, which provides a rare glimpse at some of the typically tucked away art and artifacts in the museum. The second, Lighting Pathways: Matriarchs of Oklahoma Native Art, displays the creations of seven female Native artists, all who forged successful careers in the bustling heyday of the late 20th-century Oklahoma. Finally, Nations at War! Field Sketches of a Pawnee Warrior, highlights colorful and realistic depiction of Indigenous life – not only during war but during courting and day-to-day life.
Dune: Part II; photo courtesy Legendary and Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc.
It’s March! Spring is almost here and will last approximately twenty minutes before the sweltering heat of summer makes another early appearance. However, there’s always a cool, air-conditioned movie theater calling your name this and every month, with exciting new films to see.
Starting the month strong, we have Dune: Part II. A sequel to the highly successful and well received Dune from 2021, this follow-up looks to conclude the story of the 1965 book of the same name by Frank Herbert. Again directed by Denis Villeneuve, the film sees another stacked cast with returning actors Timothee Chalamet, Zendaya, Rebecca Ferguson, Josh Brolin and Dave Bautista, with newcomers Florence Pugh, Christopher Walken and Austin Butler joining the story. There’s a huge amount of lore here, so make sure you refresh your memory by watching the first one prior to viewing part two. Prepare to control the spice when the film hits theaters on March 1.
If you need another science fiction fix, take a look at Spaceman. Starring Adam Sandler as an astronaut sent to the edges of the galaxy to collect a mysterious ancient dust, he encounters a voice (Paul Dano) who tries to help him along the way … and also happens to be a creature from the beginning of time. This doesn’t appear to be the regular Adam Sander schlock that Netflix normally churns out, so we’ll see if this is a cut above when it lands on the streaming service on March 1.
Looking for a weird romantic thriller by A24? Look no further than Love Lies Bleeding. The story follows Lou (Kirsten Stewart), a gym manager that falls hard for Jackie (Katy O’Brian), a bodybuilder headed for Vegas. Lou’s father, played by an unhinged looking Ed Harris, is involved in the criminal underworld and seemingly pulls both of them into it. It has a bizarre ’80s setting with what appears to be some steroid-induced muscle growth that borders on the comical, but we’ll see how it all holds together on March 8.
For pure action and machismo, check out Road House. A remake of the 1989 film of the same name, this updated version stars Jake Gyllenhaal in the lead role of Elwood Dalton, an ex-UFC fighter now working at a roadhouse in the Florida Keys. Of course, nothing is as it seems. Directed by Doug Liman (The Bourne Identity), the film has a lot of potential to be an excellently made action ride full of great fights and one-liners. It comes to theaters on March 21.
Lastly, check out the TV show Nirvanna the Band the Show. Created by and starring Matt Johnson and Jay McCarrol, playing exaggerated versions of themselves, the mockumentary follows the duo as “Nirvanna the Band” and their ill-fated attempts at getting a show despite having no preparation. The show utilizes hidden camera techniques along with pre-planned scripting to create something that is often influenced by the actions of an unsuspecting person. It’s genuinely unique and extremely funny. All seasons are available on Internet Archive for free.
A variety of civil rights leaders – including Clara Luper (middle) pose in front of the Oklahoma City Police Headquarters. Soon, an OKC center will be opened in her honor.
Photo by Johnny Melton courtesy Oklahoma Historical Society
“Combating racism is closely tied to combating misinformation,” says Raymond Doswell, Ed.D., the executive director of Greenwood Rising Black Wall Street History Center in Tulsa. “Everyone must start with the truth about the past and the present, regarding how race matters penetrate our society.”
Oklahoma’s narrative and history as it relates to Black communities has been tumultuous from the onset. Due to the Indian Removal Act of 1830, the federal government forcibly relocated thousands of Native Americans from their homelands into Indian Territory, or the future Oklahoma. Several thousand African Americans were among those who endured the perilous journeys, many of them enslaved before and after arrival in Indian Territory.
Prior to and during the land rushes of the 19th century, Black people saw opportunities for land and entrepreneurial pursuits by forming all-Black towns. Today, at least 13 historically all-Black towns still exist in Oklahoma.
But with statehood, violence and bigotry against minorities continued and worsened in numerous ways. One of the worst occurrences among them, the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre in the Greenwood District, is a dark stain on our history. However, numerous entities are bringing truth to light and educating the public.
“Work has been done as it relates to being diverse and inclusive; however, this journey is ever-evolving and ongoing,” says Frances Jordan-Rakestraw, the executive director of Tulsa’s Greenwood Cultural Center. “We must listen to one another and act with compassion. We are all different. We come from different places, backgrounds, families and identities. By working together to embrace and value our differences, we create a stronger and better community.”
Assets are readily available to help anyone learn about the history of Oklahoma and how to be a better, more tolerant global citizen.
“The ‘All-Black Town’ movement and other great history are captured at the Oklahoma Historical Society,” says Doswell. “The story of Black Wall Street and the 1921 massacre is documented at Greenwood Rising, and also at the Greenwood Cultural Center and the Tulsa City-County Library. Soon, the Clara Luper Center will open in Oklahoma City.”
Jordan-Rakestraw adds: “Organizations whose missions promote anti-racism and human relations include the Oklahoma Center for Community and Justice, the YWCA, the Tulsa Metropolitan Ministry and others. People should visit learning centers that teach about race and other diversity matters, such as Greenwood Rising and the Sherwin Miller Museum of Jewish Art. As well, Oklahomans should encourage inclusion of Black history in school curricula.”
A Look Back
Oklahoma history is overflowing with Black leaders who shaped and reshaped the state narrative. Prior to 1862, Wallace Willis, a Choctaw freedman living in Indian Territory, composed Oklahoma’s official gospel song “Swing Low, Sweet Chariot.” The historically important tune remains one of the most well-known Black spirituals and faith-based hymns.
Black soldiers of the First Kansas Colored Regiment, many of whom were from Indian Territory, were allegedly the first troops to see combat during the American Civil War.
The first Black politician to serve in the Oklahoma Territorial Legislature, Green Currin (1842-1918) authored Oklahoma’s first ever civil rights legislation; his many accomplishments included his role as a lawman, and serving as a regent for what is now Langston University.
In 1908, A.C. Hamlin (1881-1912) was the first Black politician elected to the Oklahoma State Legislature, and was the only Black person to serve in the legislature until the 1960s. Hamlin sponsored legislation that brought funding to create the Taft School for Black children who were deaf, blind and/or orphaned.
Hannah Diggs Atkins (1923-2010) was a librarian who taught law and library science at the University of Oklahoma. Elected to the Oklahoma House of Representatives in 1968, she served as the first Black woman in the legislature.
An educator, Clara Luper (1923-2011) was the first Black student admitted to the graduate history program at OU. Her innumerable accomplishments include her rise as a prominent and outspoken Civil Rights Movement leader. In December of 2019, the citizens of Oklahoma City voted to pass MAPS 4, which includes $25 million for the restoration of the Freedom Center building and the creation of the new Clara Luper Civil Rights Center.
Greenwood Cultural Center’s president, Frances Jordan-Rakestraw (middle) has welcomed a variety of Oklahoma legends to the museum. Photo courtesy Greenwood Cultural Center
Black Chambers Driving Success
With goals of inspiring, empowering and uniting, the Oklahoma City Black Chamber of Commerce (OKCBCC) stands for equal opportunities and equitable outcomes for business owners of all backgrounds. Members help advocate for equitability in business, and have access to numerous resources. OKCBCC helps members grow their networks by hosting events, offering opportunities and enabling business owners to connect with the community and each other.
In Tulsa, the Greenwood or Black Wall Street Chamber of Commerce supports and maintains 60 businesses on Greenwood Avenue.
“We are rebuilding Greenwood business by business,” says president Freeman Culver. “The Greenwood Chamber of Commerce is the number one economic chamber in the country for American people of color.”
Businesses on Greenwood Avenue run the gamut, from spas to wedding chapels, resource centers, incubators and accountants.
“We are working towards more engagement activities and attractions for members and non-members alike,” says Meghan Scott, the chamber’s marketing producer. “Over the past year, we have developed a radio station known as the Greenwood Beat that talks about everything community based. Within the same year, we rolled out The Original Black Wall Street Merchant Marketplace – a dynamic initiative that aims to empower and uplift small business owners and creatives within our community and beyond – just as the Historic Greenwood District had done triumphantly before the 1921 Massacre.”
Shaelynn Haning, owner of Tallgrass Tailor in Tulsa, offers insight into her trade with “The Sew Show with Shae” on YouTube. Photos courtesy Tallgrass Tailor
Tailoring is much more than seams, stitches and alterations. It’s also threading together fashion and functionality, appreciating apparel and helping customers find a fit that flatters.
Shaelynn Haning, owner of Tallgrass Tailor in Tulsa, says another perk of the profession is seeing the excitement from customers after alterations are made.
“You can see the visible change in them, in the way that they feel, and that never gets old,” she says.
Tailoring is a centuries-old profession that continues to be a sought-after service today.
“We will always need to make a couple of tweaks here and there to make the outfit our own,” says Haning.
Haning has worked as a tailor for 17 years. Her father, a metal sculptor and artist, served as an early inspiration when she learned how to build and combine mediums. In high school, she was involved in a Shakespeare troupe that helped put her sewing skills to use with costuming.
She graduated from Marist College in New York with a degree in industrial sewing and production, and opened Tallgrass Tailor in 2017.
Some of the benefits of the service, she says, include improving the comfort and fit of clothing, as well as giving customers the chance to customize their looks. Tailoring also can be a cost-saver for people when they choose alterations instead of purchasing new items.
Sigrid Dillard, owner of Dillard Alterations and Tailoring in Lawton, says she enjoys seeing “how a garment comes together” after the alterations are made.
Photos courtesy Tallgrass Tailor
Dillard, who has been in business for over 30 years, started training as a tailor in her native Germany where she attended a school to learn to sew and how to tailor menswear.
Haning and Dillard have tailored an assortment of apparel. Dillard has worked on “almost everything,” she says, from Western shirts for kids to prom and wedding dresses. Haning has altered suits, jeans, jackets and wedding dresses, along with unique pieces, like modifications to an outfit worn by an Elvis impersonator and a customer’s Darth Vader cape.
Both agree that communication is key between the customer and tailor.
Dillard believes working as a tailor requires that you “be a people person,” and be willing to be honest about what is and isn’t possible when it comes to clothing modifications.
Haning also advises customers to let tailors know what’s on their minds.
“The best thing you can do is ask,” she says. “If we know what you’re thinking, then at least we can answer the questions.”
The tailoring profession is vital – but it’s also a trade that’s facing a shortage of emerging talent, either from a lack of formalized training or fewer people replacing tailors who retire.
Haning is doing her part to spark interest in future generations. She hosts “The Sew Show with Shae” on YouTube, where she teaches viewers about sewing, clothing alterations, tailoring garments and running a tailoring business.
Haning says tailoring is hard work but “if that doesn’t scare you, then this is an incredible and creative field to get into that has a super functional purpose.”
Jenks’ Trojan Pride marching band was recently selected to perform in the 2024 Tournament of Roses Parade. Photos courtesy Jenks Public Schools
Thousands of scientific and academic studies have shown that music education improves academic achievement, builds communication skills, develops teamwork and increases engagement in school.
However, these music programs are often very competitive, and tough to get into, says Scott Hillock, head director for the Trojan Pride Marching Band at Jenks High School.
“Marching bands are a big deal,” says Hillock. “They are highly inclusive with regard to performance elements and demand for any size school.”
If musicians make the cut, competitions are a major portion of time spent on the team.
“Most marching bands in Oklahoma go to several competitions throughout the marching season,” says Hillock. “Most schools go to local competitions, many compete at the state level, and there are quite a few schools that compete out of state on the regional and national stage. The healthy competition in the state has significantly raised the level of performance of marching bands.”
And these competitions aren’t a laid-back affair.
“Local competitions are intense, all-day events,” says Hillock. “Typically, students come to the band room about 8:00 a.m. and will leave the band room late at night to go home, somewhere around 12:30 a.m.,” says Hillock.
Jenks’ Trojan Pride marching band was recently selected to perform in the 2024 Tournament of Roses Parade. Photos courtesy Jenks Public Schools
The Jenks High School Trojan Pride marching band was one of a select group from around the world to perform in the 2024 Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, Calif., on New Year’s Day. More than 200 bands apply every year for a chance to perform. This marks the second time in the last eight years that the Trojan Pride was selected.
Musical education reinforces all forms for cognitive learning – no matter the instrument the student chooses to play. According to Hillock, the trumpet and saxophone are the most popular.
“We are always wanting more mellophones and tubas to round out our sound,” says Hillock. “Our students have done a good job the last few years of learning a different instrument so that the band has the proper balance of instrumentation.”
Auditions
The try-out process to get into a competitive marching band can seem like a daunting process.
“First and foremost is playing their instrument, which includes technique, tone, style and musicianship,” says Hillock. Students have to show, no matter what instrument they play, that they have honed their marching skills, which includes moving their feet in time with proper technique while still playing on beat. Finally, the most recent element added to the repertoire has been choreography.
“This is still physical movement, but instead of just generic marching; this involves dance and body type movements that enhance the musical elements of the show,” says Hillock.
What Comes Next
Photos courtesy Jenks Public Schools
Once a student “gets in,” scheduling and rehearsals are no joke.
“For away games, it’s a quick turn-around process that begins right after school. Students change into uniforms, load the equipment trucks, get their dinner – prepared by a parent organization – all in the first hour, and then load buses for departure as soon as they arrive,” says Hillock. “Once we get to the game site, it’s a quick turnaround again. We usually have 30 minutes to an hour to unload, set equipment in the stands, warm up and be ready to perform a pre-game show. Students have to stay on task and get all this done in a quick, efficient manner.”
Once the game begins, the band is playing throughout – supporting the team and amping up the crowd.
Once the game is over, “it’s load everything up, return to school, and unload late at night once we get back to school,” says Hillock.
On top of both home and away game performances and cheerleading, OSU Pom has practice three days a week with additional morning workouts twice a week. Photos by Bruce Waterfield, Oklahoma State Athletics
Pom dancers across various institutions and teams share a common dedication to their craft, showcasing their talents at events while managing the intricate balance between rigorous practices and academic commitments.
One might wonder about the sheer dedication required to be part of a dynamic dance squad. According to Beki Jackson, OSU spirit coordinator and pom coach, each member of OSU Pom invests two hours, three nights a week, in rigorous practice sessions. Members also engage in morning workouts twice a week.
However, their commitment goes beyond the studio, encompassing football games (both home and away), men’s and women’s basketball, as well as wrestling events. Post-season football and basketball commitments further highlight the demanding schedule that defines the life of a pom squad member.
How they manage it all is a balancing act, and time management is the most essential aspect.
“It is important to learn early how to handle academic, physical and mental stress,” Jackson says. “We try to prepare for busy seasons and offer as much help [as we can] during those times. They have access to the Academic Center in Gallagher Iba, a sports nutritionist, sports psychologist and team athletic trainer. We are not only working on the dancer, but their whole person as well. Giving them tools to be successful beyond college is key.”
On top of both home and away game performances and cheerleading, OSU Pom has practice three days a week with additional morning workouts twice a week. Photos by Bruce Waterfield, Oklahoma State Athletics
Tresley Kowalski, a member of Southmoore High School’s pom squad, echoes the sentiment that a hectic schedule is to be expected. She has found specific ways to manage her time.
“Maintaining discipline is crucial for me,” she explains. “I set a screen time limit on social media and aim to go to bed at 9:30 p.m., especially on homework-free nights. My phone is also set to ‘Do Not Disturb’ mode before bedtime. Sometimes, I must push through the week with grit and determination.”
While pom and dancing are year-long commitments for Kowalski, she still finds time to spend with her family and engage in activities she loves. Jackson emphasizes the diverse extracurricular engagements of OSU pom squad members as well, ranging from sororities and academic clubs to entrepreneurship opportunities.
While not all aim for professional dance careers, there are always a few who aspire to continue their journey.
“I have one or two a year that wish to try out for a professional dance/cheer team,” Jackson says.
OSU Pom alums have made significant strides in the professional arena, representing the program and university with distinction. Notable successes include appearances at the Super Bowl and being selected as a Pro Bowl cheerleader, exemplifying the squad’s enduring impact on its members’ futures.
For Kowalski, the journey in pom won’t lead to the pros, but her passion is undeniable.
“While I don’t aspire to become a professional dancer, the feeling of stepping on stage, knowing I’ve worked hard to perfect my routines, is truly inspiring,” she shares. “Being surrounded by so many talented individuals, including my coaches, dance instructors, teammates and fellow dancers is a constant source of motivation.”
George Machine Gun Kelly (middle) was arrested for the kidnapping of Oklahoma City businessman Charles F. Urschel in 1933. Photo courtesy of the Oklahoma Historical Society
If you were looking for a place to go on a crime spree during the end of the 1800’s all the way through the Great Depression, Oklahoma was the place to be. After all, you certainly wouldn’t have been alone.
Oklahoma – and before statehood, Indian and Oklahoma Territories – held onto its wild and remote reputation for longer than many places in the nation. This created an opportunity for crime, conjuring some of history’s most notorious outlaws. We explore a few who either hailed from Oklahoma or committed some of their heinous deeds within our borders.
Dalton Gang
The Dalton boys started out as lawmen – U.S. marshals in Arkansas and Kansas. But brothers Emmett, Grat, Bob and Bill quickly turned to lives of crime. After cutting their teeth with train robberies in California, they moved to Oklahoma, near their birthplace of southern Kansas, to continue the trend. Their careers moved on to robbing banks until Bob and Grat were killed during an attempted bank heist in Coffeyville, Kan. Bill joined the Doolin gang and was later killed in a shootout. Emmett spent time in prison for his involvement in the Coffeyville bank robbery, then turned his life around to become an author, movie maker and businessman in California.
Marlow Brothers
Like many stories from the time, the Marlow brothers’ is a mixture of outlaw and hero. Brothers George, Lewellyn, Charlie and Alfred had been accused of stealing horses and were being transported for trial in 1889. A mob attacked them on the way. Alfred and Lewellyn were killed in the fight, but George and Charlie have gone down in history for fighting off the mob … despite being chained to their dead brothers. The two surviving brothers moved their families to Colorado where they both, ironically enough, became police officers. The town of Marlow in southwestern Oklahoma is named for this famous family.
Machine Gun Kelly
The kidnapping of Oklahoma City oilman Charles F. Urschel in 1933 rocketed to fame George Kelly Barnes – who would later become known as Machine Gun Kelly. Kelly worked together with his wife Kathryn Thorne to kidnap Urschel and hold him for ransom on Thorne’s parents’ farm in Texas. Once they received the ransom, they released Urschel as promised.
A year prior, Charles Lindbergh, Jr., 20-month-old son of the famous aviator, was kidnapped and found dead two months later. Due to an increased interest in kidnapping cases following that tragedy, FBI director J. Edgar Hoover took special interest in the case and was able to work with Urschel to track down the Kellys. Both were both convicted in October 1933 to life in prison. The trials were the first in the U.S. that allowed film cameras, and were also the first kidnapping trials after the passage of the Lindbergh Law, which made kidnapping a federal crime.
Pretty Boy Floyd
Charles Arthur “Pretty Boy” Floyd, born in Sallisaw, got his start in crime through bootlegging. He then created an illustrious career as a bank robber. He gained a “Robin Hood” reputation – robbing the rich to give to the poor, but ultimately ended up on the FBI’s Most Wanted list and was shot dead by law enforcement in 1934.
Belle Starr
While Belle Starr does not have much documented crime to her name, she ran with a notorious crowd and was known as the Bandit Queen. Myra Maybelle Shirley Starr married at least three criminals and may have associated with Jesse James – hiding out with him in the Robbers Cave State Park area in the 1880s. In 1889, Starr was shot dead while riding her horse; the murder remains unsolved.
Jackalope Comedy Theater in Tulsa hosts shows every Saturday, with classes throughout the week. Photo courtesy Jackalope Theater
Sketch theater – like Saturday Night Live – and improvisational comedy continue to draw both audience members to their seats and brave souls to the stage. Whichever avenue you choose, Oklahomans have plenty of choices.
OKC Improv, in the heart of the Plaza District, has shows every Friday and Saturday at 7:30 and 9:30 p.m.
“It’s a ton of fun; no show is ever the same, so it’s always a unique experience,” says Kendon Lacy, the group’s executive director, instructor and performer. “For those that are interested in performing, we also offer classes. We’ve had so many students call our classes the best part of their week. It’s a super supportive and empowering environment where classmates always become friends as they grow together. You’re also getting to meet new people.”
In Tulsa, Jackalope Comedy Theater is “the only dedicated sketch/improv venue in town,” says artistic director Jason Watts. Shows are every Saturday night and classes are held throughout the week. For youth and teens, there is an improv/sketch program at Clark Theater in Tulsa.
Jackalope Comedy Theater in Tulsa hosts shows every Saturday, with classes throughout the week. Photo courtesy Jackalope Theater
For those who haven’t experienced this live art form, “sketch comedy is a series of comedic scenes and vignettes put together to create a full entertaining show. Improv is creating scenes – typically comedic – completely without a script,” says Lacy. “On our stage, we have some shows that are musicals made up on the spot, and other shows that feel like plays or movies. Some shows even feel like a sitcom that was written with a script. But in the end, it was made up on the spot using the inspiration that the audience gives to the cast.”
Often, audience members get a feel for the form and get the improv bug.
“We have classes beginning all the time,” says Watts. “We have Intro to Improv Comedy, Sketch Writing and Intro to Comedic Storytelling. We also have free workshops, class audits and community jams for anyone to dip their toes in the water. We also offer various workshops throughout the year, like Play Date: an improv workshop for couples. In addition to classes for the public, we offer commissioned workshops and classes for companies or events.”
Audience Participation
Rules for audience participation at improv and sketch shows are simple.
“Number one, have fun! Have a great time, and do not judge yourself,” says Lacy. “Improv works best when you’re in a place of just accepting whatever phrase or sentence or action comes your way. To take it a step above that would be to not only accept it, but really appreciate it.”
Watts adds: “Improv performers are taught to ‘Yes, and.’ This is the formula used for creating scenes in the moment. An improv audience doesn’t have many rules outside of general courtesy. We don’t harass our audience into getting involved. We will ask, though.”
When teaching others, Lacy likes to share a quote from well-known improv coach and instructor Del Close who says: “If we treat each other as if we are geniuses, poets and artists, we have a better chance of becoming that on stage.”
Watts concludes: “Improv is a great hobby for busy adults who are displaced theater/comedy fans,” says Watts. “It is a low commitment activity that is social and helps with confidence and expression. As entertainment, it is an affordable option, about the same price as a movie and one of the best shows for dates. Expect tons of laughs!”
