The Rhetorical Review

Salt Lake City, UT—On December 21, 2024, Improv Salt Lake hosted a joyful night of spontaneous comedy and community connection at the Alliance Theater, collecting toys for children at the Road Home shelter. Featuring troupes like Mouth Breathers, TBD Improv, and a special hybrid segment with Utah Poet Laureate Lisa Bickmore, the evening showcased not only the quick wit and practiced skill of local performers but also the deeper mission behind the laughs: to use improvisation as a tool for creativity, connection, and social good.

The event featured three talented improv groups, each bringing unique styles and humor to the stage. Having performed improv myself, I understand the courage it takes to step onto the stage without predetermined material. While improv relies heavily on spontaneity, these performers demonstrated the practice and skill necessary to excel, particularly in front of a live audience.

The night opened with performances by Mouth Breathers and TBD Improv, who brought energy and wit with their takes on traditional formats like The Harold and La Ronde. TBD Improv cleverly engaged the audience by letting them define the “TBD” acronym in their name, which then shaped the theme of their skit—a creative and interactive twist.

The Harold and La Ronde are classic long-form improv structures. The Harold weaves recurring characters and themes across interconnected scenes, while La Ronde links scenes through a rotating cast of characters, passing the narrative baton one performer at a time.

The most innovative segment of the night featured Utah’s Poet Laureate, Lisa Bickmore. She read three of her shorter poems, which served as inspiration for the final group’s improvised sketches. This hybrid performance masterfully blended creative writing with improvisational theater, offering a fresh perspective on how these art forms can intersect. For writers seeking new platforms for their work, this collaboration showcased an exciting avenue for creative expression.

Art Meets Community Service

Improv Salt Lake exemplifies how laughter can unite and uplift. Through a growing slate of shows, workshops, and community collaborations, they position improvisation as a tool not just for entertainment, but for social good. Whether partnering with educators, healthcare professionals, or local artists, the group highlights improv’s cultural value and its power to build community across diverse audiences.

A Vision for the Future

Currently, Salt Lake County lacks a dedicated improv theater, with local groups renting spaces from other venues. Improv Salt Lake aims to change that by eventually creating a permanent home for improv—a space that will unite the many talented groups in the area under one roof. This would make Salt Lake County a true destination for improv, akin to cities like Chicago and Los Angeles.

Improv Salt Lake offers several ways to join the community:

• Perform: Attend free workshops and monthly meetings to connect with fellow improvisers.
• Volunteer: Help behind the scenes by participating in monthly meetings.
• Donate: Support the mission by contributing online or exploring sponsorship opportunities.

Improv Salt Lake is more than entertainment—it’s a growing movement dedicated to fostering creativity, inclusivity, and professional growth. Whether through performances, collaborations with educators, or teaching improvisation techniques to healthcare professionals, the group highlights the cultural and social value of improv.

Workshops and Education

Improv Salt Lake fosters accessibility and education through free workshops, regular community meetings, and an 8-week Improv Fundamentals course starting February 15. Advanced performers can join monthly intensives, including a guest workshop with Arizona-based improviser José Gonzalez on April 12. Newcomers can connect through volunteering or donating to support the group’s inclusive mission.

Regular Performances on the Horizon

Improv Salt Lake’s monthly offerings include The Armando Show, a storytelling-based format where guest monologists inspire improvised scenes, and traditional structures like The Harold and La Ronde. All shows maintain a PG-13 rating, with specific events like College Improv Night tailored to younger audiences. Beginning in January, regular Wednesday night performances at the Alliance Theater promise even more opportunities to experience their signature blend of humor and heart.

Upcoming Performances

Improv Salt Lake has an exciting lineup of events planned for early 2025:

• Solo/Duo/Trio Show: January 15, 8:00 PM
• Armando Show: January 29, 8:00 PM (and every 4th Wednesday thereafter)
• College Improv Night: January 31, 8:00 PM

All performances will be held at the Alliance Theater (602 E. 500 S., Suite E101, Salt Lake City, UT).

Next Show Details:

• Event: Improv Salt Lake at the Alliance Theater
• Date: January 16, 2025
• Time: 8:00 PM
• Location: Alliance Theater, 602 E. 500 S., Suite E101, Salt Lake City, UT
• Tickets: $10 (Available on the Improv Salt Lake website)
• Parking: Free

Don’t miss your chance to laugh, connect, and support the arts!