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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 produces weekly shows in Houston ^[1] and have performed in numerous festivals across the country such as The Del Close Marathon (New York)^[2], The San Francisco Improv Festival (2006), The Dallas Comedy Festival (2006), The Phoenix Improv Festival (2006) and The Out of Bounds Improv Festival (Austin, 2006, 2007, 2009).^[3] 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 artform, 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.

Contents 1 History 2 Performance Style 3 House Teams 4 Notable Recommendations 5 See also 6 Notable Alumni 7 External links 8 Notes

[edit] 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.^[4]

[edit] 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.^[5] This artform has gained popularity over the past 10 years in Chicago, New York, Los Angeles, Toronto, Austin and now Houston.

[edit] House Teams

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

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

[edit] Notable Recommendations

www.stubdog.com named Massive Improv as one of the 10 Funniest Things in Houston.^[6]

[edit] See also

• Improvisational theatre
• List of improvisational theatre companies

[edit] Notable Alumni

(2008) Mike Yager

[edit] External links

• Massive Improv

[edit] Notes