An improv resurrection is happening in Olympia. One of the Puget Sound region’s leading improvisational groups, the Scatterbrains Improv Comedy Troupe, disbanded years ago after being featured at Seattle’s Bumbershoot, Olympia’s Capital City Pride, Tacoma’s First Night and leading theatrical venues all around Puget Sound. The group didn’t disband because members moved on to Saturday Night Live, as you might have guessed from the improv-focused movie Don’t Think Twice. Instead, life circumstances for co-founders Dave Beacham, Kris Mann and Jed Stickgold just made it harder for the group to perform regularly. “People moved; people started families; people got other jobs,” says co-founder Kris Mann. “Life just got in the way. But now, for one night only, we’re back on stage.”
The reunited members of Scatterbrains Improv will be joined by another South Sound improvisational-theater team, Lady Town, who’ll contribute two members of their “lady-driven, creative collective,” Rebecca Rogers and Amber Sayman. Lady Town has performed at ImprOlympia and delivered holiday show The Genteel Lady’s Guide to Holiday Mirth at The Midnight Sun Performance Space. Scatterbrains and Lady Town have come together for a political purpose: “Given everything that’s happening politically, we think everyone could use a laugh,” says Mann. “And for this show, we’re providing all donations to local, progressive nonprofits. Make a difference—Come and laugh!”
The one-night-only show is a short-form, musical sketch comedy based completely on audience suggestions, as on the popular show Whose Line Is it Anyway? As Mann points out, “For this kind of comedy, there is no script and no net.” Admission is free, but donations will be accepted for the following organizations: Camp Quixote, Community Youth Services, Family Support Center, GRuB, The Olympia Free Clinic, Olympia Union Gospel Mission, Planned Parenthood, SafePlace and South Puget Sound Habitat for Humanity. Representatives from several of those groups will attend the event and accept donations.
What: Scatterbrains With Lady Town
Where: The Washington Center for the Performing Arts Black Box,
512 Washington St. SE, Olympia
When: 8 p.m. Saturday, April 15
How much: donations accepted
Learn more: 360-528-1814 | OLY ARTS