The 48 Hour Improv Marathon
Happening right now!
Have you ever wanted to see how long someone can physically do improv? The Hideout Theatre’s 48 Hour Improv Marathon is going on right now! Eight improvisers are staying up for 48 hours straight. I am not one of those eight, but friend of the blog, Jade is! (Are you following Jade’s substack? You should be!)
Every hour is a different format with different improvisers jumping in to guest with the core eight. Audiences can come to whichever hours are most interesting to them. If you're interested in seeing me, I'll be participating in hours 16, 30, 31, and 39. Normally, I don't post on here just to promote a show, but I'm breaking that rule for two reasons:
Firstly, the 48 Hour Improv Marathon is just really cool. It's the sort of experimental show that pushes at the boundaries of what is possible in this art form. That's the type of show worth writing about. The improvisers on stage are really talented, but I won't say the Marathon is them at their best. To be frank, people don't come to the Marathon to see the “best” improv they've ever seen. Instead, the experience gets at something deeper—the Marathon is really about the comradarie the performers develop over the 48 hours and the community that's there to support them.
That community is the second reason. After 25 years, the Hideout Theatre is losing it's home. The building’s new owner doesn't seem to care that it's a thriving business beloved by the community, and unfortunately that means this community is looking for a new home. The 48 Hour Improv Marathon is also raising money to keep the theatre in existence. Even if you can't come in person, consider watching the livestream or donating to the relocation fund.
Many improv theatres have closed during the past few years due to the pandemic and a difficult economy for small businesses and the arts. Improv theatres aren't big contributors to GDP or the stock market, but they are rich in community, something that we desperately need right now. If you read this blog, I doubt you need any convincing. I hope you'll check out the Marathon even if it's just for the schadenfreude of seeing eight very sleepy people try to do a scene.
