#cif18

JONATHAN PITTS

You are the almighty creator of the Chicago Improv Festival. You’ve brought thousands of groups together from all over the world to participate in this week long festival.

What do you look forward to most about each year?

Because I got my start in festivals working as a production intern for the International Theatre Festival of Chicago, I always love having international acts and ensembles at CIF. We've had at least one other country performing in every CIF. Last year, we had acts and ensembles from 9 countries. Overall, we've had close to 20 countries perform at CIF.

Every year, one of the international acts stays the week of CIF at my 3 bedroom apartment in Wicker Park. Because most of the international acts come in for a week to 10 days, for me, each year's CIF truly begins when the first international act arrives in Chicago. They usually arrive a day or two before the start of CIF. Conversely, each year's CIF ends when the last international act leaves, usually the day after we close CIF. I'm always excited when the first group arrives and sad when the last group leaves.

What makes each year different than the last?

Each year CIF changes based on the artistic trends that are happening in the improv community, in Chicago and across the country. As such, sometimes, we'll do a program within CIF for 3 to 5 years and then stop. We'll bring in different acts and ensembles for 2 to 3 years in a row and then change up and bring in other acts. Since improvisational is a vital and every changing art form, CIF ought to be the same way too by growing, adapting and transforming.

Just in the last few years that I’ve worked on this festival, it has expanded amongst so many different venues. What do you think the benefit is of having so many venues involved?

The biggest benefit is that CIF works in partnerships with all the improv comedy theaters in Chicago and by partnering together, we're better able to support everyone in the community, the artists, and the audiences by making a picnic table big enough for everyone to eat at. It's funny, about 6 years ago, we had CIF taking place at 10 stages and the feedback we got was that it was taking place in "too many stages" and "why aren't you all in one place like Sketchfest is?" Then, over the last two years, when we expanded to 18 to 21 stages, everyone seemed to get it. The feedback was, "Wow, CIF is everywhere!" Since improv happens all over Chicago, CIF does too. At our size and range, we're like the Edinburgh Fringe Fest but for improv!

You’ve been such a wonderful host to our international guests over the years. Is there any particular person or group that you’ve been friends with the longest?

There's several people and international ensembles of whom I'm very fond of from over the years of producing CIF. I'm big fans onstage and off stage of Improv Bandits (New Zealand), ImproTop (Mexico), Norsksceneskrekk (Norway), Os Improvaveis (Portugal), Slap Happy (Canada), and Yellow Man Group (Japan). Every year though, I meet very cool new people and groups. Last year, we all became big fans of Impro Brasil (Brazil) and Silly People's Improv Theater (Philippines). Of all these many talented and cool improvisers, probably my longest friendship is with Marianne Steinsrud from Gjovik, Norway.

Aeropuerto (BOSTON) creates an organic longform show based on a single audience suggestion. Since 2010, they have performed in NYC, Toronto, North Carolina, Baltimore, DC, and a parking lot in Medford.

Cast:

Amy Click, Conor Allen, Kaitlin Buckley, Luke Bruneaux, Sam Ike, Sumeet Sarin

Upcoming performances:

Fri, Apr 24th, 7:30 PM in Aeropuerto, Brain Trust

Sat, Apr 25th, 7:30 PM in Aeropuerto, Brain Trust

What are you most looking forward to for this year's festival?

Playing in Chicago!  Luke actually started at iO before moving east, so it's exciting to be back and see the new spaces. The whole team is psyched to play to Chicago audiences and, according to Sumeet, Lorne Michaels.

Is there a group / person in particular that you're really excited to see?

We saw Stacked in Toronto and can't wait to see them again, and some of our DC friends in Cake Bagel. You gotta see Jane Austen. Also, Sumeet is hoping for another elevator ride with TJ & Dave.

What is your favorite thing about the troupe that you're playing with?

We all feel lucky to perform with such fun players who also happen to be good people. It's really a second family for us.

What is one of your best memories with your troupe?

Once we performed in a suburban parking lot in front of six 1st­graders and their parents, with one microphone, over honking horns from rush hour traffic. Honestly, it was a lot of fun.

If your parents / relatives have ever seen you perform, what is the best quote they've said regarding watching you improvise?

"How did you all know to do that thing together at the part when you all started pretending it was a nightmare."  Also, "Why are you doing this?"

What are you most excited to eat while you're here?

Important dates for the 18th Annual Chicago Improv Festival

Submit your show now at the Chicago Improv Festival submission site.

When is this year’s Chicago Improv Festival?

April 20th to April 26th, 2015

When are submissions due?

January 3, 2015 (at midnight) – early submissions end

January 10, 2015 (at midnight) – late submissions end

When will groups be notified if they have been accepted?

We will notify all submissions by January 28th, 2015.