Stepping Out

10 Troupes - 14 showcases - 1 weekend

For two nights only, the best improv troupes from all over Western Washington will converge to bring improv comedy and theatre to North Seattle in the Edmonds Improv Extravaganza.  

Hosted by {breakout}, the first-ever Edmonds Improv Extravaganza {eie} will take place Friday, March 19 and Saturday, March 20 at The Phoenix Theatre. 

Audiences can enjoy four shows over two nights of unscripted theatre, as actors make it up on the spot from suggestions provided by the audience.  From Bellingham to Tacoma, ten improv troupes will showcase their diverse styles, original formats, and 100 percent-unscripted performances.   

Full festival passes are just $30 and include admission into all four shows. Tickets for individual shows will be $10. Tickets will be available beginning February 15, at brownpapertickets.com. Advanced ticketing is strongly encouraged. 

Improv Troupes taking the stage (in alphabetical order):

{breakout}, the resident improv group of the Phoenix Theatre, performs their acclaimed show {girl meets boy} in a new evolution of format. www.breakoutimprov.com

The Dead Parrots Society from Western Washington University, makes its triumphant return to after a great showing in the northwest regionals of the Chicago College Improv festival.

The Edge, the resident group of the Bainbridge Center for the Performing Arts and one of the most established groups in the region bring more than 15 years of making audiences laugh and cheer. www.theedgeimprov.com

Cast members of Jet City Improv, Seattle’s leading improv company, sample some of the awesomeness that spawned several of the festivals troupes. www.jetcityimprov.com

KRAM, West Seattle’s independent improv group, debuts a new format to follow their hit “Crime Scene Improv.”

Seattle’s longest-titled improv troupe, The Ministry of Exuberance presents a special showing of their show, “The Bitter Taste of Others’ Thoughts,” currently running at Seattle’s Odd Duck Theatre. www.moeimprov.com

Split Second Improv, the resident group of Second Story Rep, performs their programs in association with Seattle’s Unexpected Productions. www.secondstoryrep.org/improv

Bellingham’s home for improv, The Upfront Theatre, comes south to perform with an incredible cast of house players established by founder Ryan Stiles, of “Whose Line is it Anyway?” fame.

In addition, specialty acts will perform, including new groups making their premiere at the {eie} including the All Girl Duo – the SheSpot and the {breakout} clique – Improv a Trois.

All Shows take place at The Phoenix Theatre, located at 9673 Firdale Avenue, Edmonds.  The 94-seat Phoenix Theatre is home to {breakout}, which opened their 2010 season with a nearly sold out show {girl meets boy} in January.

Schedule for the Edmonds Improv Extravaganza - (subject to change):

Friday, March 19 – 8 p.m.

KRAM

Ministry of Exuberance

{breakout} - {girl meets boy}

Friday, March 19 - 10:30 p.m.

The SheSpot

Dead Parrots Society

Split Second Improv

free4all featuring performers from all that night’s shows

Saturday, March 20 – 8 p.m.

The Edge

Dead Parrots Society

The Upfront

Saturday, March 20 - 10:30 p.m.

Improv 'a Trois

{breakout} - {reunion}

Jet City Improv

free4all featuring performers from all that night’s shows

For additional information or to see the latest festival schedule, please visit breakoutimprov.com.