Comedy through improv, storytelling, stand-ups and music will be featured today through Monday at the Fourth Annual Columbus Improv Festival.
From left to right, Rance Rizzutto and Tara DeFrancisco, both comedians and instructors from Chicago, Photo credit Tara DeFrancisco
The six-day festival at Wild Goose Creative includes a total of 28 performers and groups, 15 of which are from the Columbus area. Others hail from New York, Cleveland, Pittsburgh, Chicago, Los Angeles and Atlanta.
Hosted by Columbus Unscripted, the festival also features improv, storytelling and stand-up workshops that are available for adults and children.
The festival kicks off today with free workshops for kids, followed by a performance for friends and family. Thursday features a performance by Columbus’ own Tara DeFrancisco in her show Tara and Rance, with fellow improviser Rance Rizzutto.
The weekend headliners include performances by the Alfred Hitchcock-style improvisational storytellers Hitch-Cocktails, the Chicago-based group Lyons and Campbell, and the ladies of Speak Easy. In addition, founder and editor of SMITH Magazine, Larry Smith, will lead a performance called Six in the City on Sunday night.
The final night of the festival is stand-up night, headlined by Columbus’ own Leslie Battle.
Other guests that will perform, teach a workshop, or both, throughout the six-day festival include the Chicago-based duo Pistil and Stamen, Chicago-based comedian Kelsie Huff, Pittsburgh stand-up comedian Rob Speer, Columbus national/international storyteller Kevin Cordi and “Journalist & Social Media Butterfly” Mikaela Hunt.
While the majority of the festival will take place at Wild Goose Creative, all of today’s events are held at the Whetstone Community Center, 3923 North High St. The stand-up workshops will take place at It Looks Like Its Open, 13 E. Tulane Ave.
For more information, including ticket pricing and a schedule of shows and workshops, visit www.columbusunscripted.com.
