Improvables: Seventeenth Anniversary Show

On Friday night, the Improvables carried out our annual reunion/anniversary show at Backstage Performing Arts in Centerville. Former troupe members Ian, Liz Christensen, and Ryan, along with my siblings Biz and Steve, came out of retirement for an evening and joined Parker, Ricky, Scott, and yours truly on stage for this fun-filled event.

We had Scott, as the Karate Kid, teaching Ryan and Parker how to hula in "Party Quirks":

Liz C., Biz, and Steve put on the Shakespearean play "Are You My Mother?" in "Pieces of Shakespeare":

Parker and Steve played conjoined twins in "Meanwhile ... Elsewhere":

And Ricky pulled classic Ricky faces all night:

It was so good to get the old gang back together on stage, and it felt like old times at Rodgers Memorial Theatre, when we first started out in 2008. We are getting old and are getting arthritis and epilepsy and other not-so-fun things, but improv still brings out laughter and brings us together once a year.

Improvables: Spectrum Academy Show

On Thursday, the Improvables were invited to perform an abbreviated show as part of Spectrum Academy's Night of the Arts. This school is located just a stone's throw from our home in North Salt Lake, so how could I not volunteer to be part of it?

All grades at the school (Kindergarten through high school, as far as I know) were invited to participate, so there were a lot of people running around doing a lot of fun things. But amid the organized chaos—this wasn't my first rodeo of this kind—we found a small audience, and we had a lot of fun together with them.

It had been a minute since I had been part of a remote show to get our troupe's name out into the community! I enjoyed it a great deal. Brady, Jamie, Liz M., and Tyler rounded out the cast, and we put on a fun set of games. (It didn't hurt that a large chunk of the audience consisted of Brady's and Liz M.'s kids and other family members.)

Improvables: Christmas Party 2025

The members of the Improvables troupe, plus accompanying family members, congregated on Saturday, December 20, for our annual Christmas party and white elephant gift exchange. This year, we gathered at Nickelmania in West Jordan, which was already one of JB's and my favorite hangouts, so we were more than happy to join in on the fun.

For dinner, we enjoyed Costco pizza (only the best stuff for our guys), salad, muffins, and few other sides. After we ate, it was another feverish white elephant exchange. JB ended up with this Nightmare before Christmas karaoke microphone:

I ended up with a mobile alarm clock—really an ingenious device and one that I could really use going forward. Other prized items included a Chuck Norris beach towel, a boxed set of the Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark books, and a little statue made up of bent forks and spoons.

Since we were at Nickelmania, well, the rest of the evening was made up of (you guessed it) playing arcade games. We are just like little kids at heart.

Improvables: Seventeenth Annual Halloween Show

After trick-or-treating concluded on Halloween night, I took my TuPac-o costume over to Backstage Performing Arts for that evening's annual Improvables Halloween show. Because of course I was gonna be there after missing last year's performance.

Yes, I'm (or I was for one night) the whitest white guy rapper you know—even more so than the guys who recorded "Mormon Rap." Which is something I happily embraced on stage. I had a few chances to improvise rap songs, so in true white bread fashion, I included lyrics about growing up in the 'hood (Mr. Rogers's, that is), shooting people ... with Nerf guns, and being good, responsible citizens by calling your Congressman to voice your opinion on important social issues.

Anyhow, the rest of the show was a blast. Poor, exasperated Parker struggled in vain to describe the murder weapon in "Mumbling Movie Murder Mystery," which was something from the movie Hocus Pocus ... a movie I haven't seen in far too long.

In other words, I didn't guess that part correctly. But I did get the other two things correct.

We also played "Campfire Tale," "Nightmare," "Tombstone," and other Halloween favorites.

The cast was rounded out by new Improvable Chris as a UTA bus driver (which also happens to be his day job), Claire as a Middle Ages peasant who definitely did not have the plague, Ian as a character from the TV show "Peaky Blinders," Keenan as Dad Peter Parker from Across the Spider-Verse, and Parker as Noir Spider-Man from the same film.

Liz M., as Dipper from "Gravity Falls," was MC, while Kyra, who ran tech, portrayed ... someone whose name/description now eldue me. Incidentally, Kyra added to the decor by carving this phenomenal jack-o'-lantern featuring the troupe logo:

And so ended another unforgettable Improvables Halloween show. If you weren't there, then you were likely doing something else.

Improvables: Moving Day

As of the first Friday in June, the Improvables have moved our home base once again!

BDAC had been a wonderful host and stage for us for more than six years (give or take a year or so, due to a pandemic). However, we were informed earlier this year by the top brass there that they were going to start scheduling other events on Friday nights, as these events tended to bring in more money. This change would require us to either have no show on those Fridays or to find another stage on which to perform. We began looking around locally, and Backstage Performing Arts, a children's/youth theater on the west side of Centerville, agreed to let us do a few trial run shows there.

The results were good, and Backstage was pleased with our being there. As it turns out, a family-friendly improv troupe fits in well with a youth theater, and thus the decision to move was made.

As of this writing, I have performed on the Backstage stage four times. The stage size is good for our type of show, and there is stadium seating, like we used to have at CenterPoint and Rodgers. The acoustics and sound are good. Best of all, many of our audience members have followed us there, and kids who have performed in some of the Backstage shows have also stayed to watch a couple of our performances now.

For those of you keeping track at home, the following have been Improvables hosts since our inception in 2008:

Rodgers Memorial Theatre, Centerville (2008-2010)

CenterPoint Legacy Theater, Centerville (2011-2018)

Playbills Theatre, Clearfield (2013)

Clearfield Community Arts Center, Clearfield (2013-2017)

Bountiful Davis Arts Center, Bountiful (2019-2025)

Backstage Performing Arts, Centerville (2025-present)

We've been all over Davis County these past 17+ years, and fortunately we've developed a fanbase wherever we have gone. Such appears to be the case now after two-plus months into our time at Backstage.

Improvables: Sixteenth Anniversary Show

The Improvables' annual reunion show was held on Friday, March 7, 2025, at Bountiful Davis Art Center. Formerly regular troupe members Biz, Brianne, Bryan, and Steve joined Keenan, Parker, Richard, Scott, and myself on stage for another fantastic show, filled with many chortles and giggles. Keenan, Parker, and I shared MC duties throughout the night.

Among the highlights were Biz spit-cleaning Parker's glasses and Bryan's hair in "Advice Panel," featuring the return of Janice, one of my favorite characters:

... Biz, Bryan, Keenan, and Scott in an ice cream store-based scene of "Director":

... Biz roaming the aisles, talking to random people and objects, while Steve gave a "Press Conference":

... old coot humor and puns in "Back in My Day":

... and an old skool game of "Don't Make Me Heckle" to conclude the evening:

The rest of our game list was rounded out with "Top That," "Novelist," "Mumbling Movie Murder Mystery," "Pieces of Shakespeare," and "Dueling Plays."

It's always good to take the stage with these guys—and it doesn't hurt that two of them are my siblings. It blows my mind that we're now in our 17th year overall of performing for Davis County audiences.

One of these days, they're going to find out that I have absolutely no idea what I am doing.

Improvables: Goodbye, Willis

Our resident musician Willis, a big part of the heart and soul of the Improvables since nearly the very beginning, is moving on to new opportunities on the other side of the country (Boston). At Friday night's performance, we had one last hurrah with him in the form of a farewell show.

Naturally, music was and has been a large part of every show we've done with him over the past 15+ years. This show featured favorites "Musical Fairy Tale," "Oscar-Winning Moment," "Predictive Text Song," and "Sing It!" Willis accompanied each singer on piano, guitar, and melodica.

Chance, Keenan, Parker, Richard, Scott, Tanner, and yours truly as MC rounded out the cast across games of "Late for Work," "Back in My Day," "Lie Detector," "Nine out of Ten," and "Director."

The troupe directors created this keepsake a token of our appreciation for the countless hours and performances Willis has given us over the years.

We wrapped up the show with a final "Greatest Hits of Willis," in which Willis himself was the interviewee and focus of our songs. Randy Newman showed up by popular demand (composer of the "Monk" theme song and songs from the Toy Story films, among many other works, whom I have portrayed frequently over time).

As always with improv, you had to be there. Fortunately, I got to be there on stage with Willis (and these other guys) countless times over the years, each performance a memory I will treasure. We can't really replace someone like Willis, because his skillset is unique. We will continue to have music, however.

Improvables: Fifteenth Anniversary Show

Biz, Brianne, Ian, Ryan, and Steve returned to the stage Friday night for the annual Improvables reunion show. Crazy to think that we started this thing almost 16 years ago. Keenan, Parker, and I joined them for this performance, along with MC Scott and Willis on keys.

Among the many games we played were "Late for Work," "Town Hall," "Film Noir," "World's Worst," "Story Genres," "Novelist," "Musical Understudy," and "Don't Make Me Heckle." We also included another favorite of mine, "Marshmallows," which we played on this night as "Peeps" (with Valentine's Day candy clearance providing the marshmallows).

I am kind of fond of these people—and not just the two I am related to. Together, we have undertaken the greatest creative experience of my life, through hundreds of shows over the years. I couldn't have asked for a better group of people to work with.

Improvables: Christmas Party 2023

Members of the Improvables improv troupe gathered together on Saturday, December 16, for our annual Christmas party and white elephant exchange. It's been a rough year for us, having lost our beloved friend and colleague Megan in August. Her absence was felt at this holiday party. But we also feel she would've wanted us to carry on, be happy, and enjoy each other's company, and that is what we did.

Jamie and Tanner hosted at their lovely home in Taylorsville. It was a very foggy evening, but still the majority of the troupe members found their way there. The food was delectable, and the company was even better.

Always one of the highlights of the Christmas season, our white elephant gift exchange was another memorable one. I might be a bit biased, but one of the noteworthy gifts contributed (by yours truly) was a pair of Pickle-as Cage (get it?) tree ornaments. There were bobbleheads, clothes, toys, and other goodies for young and older alike.

Perhaps our collective favorite was a box of approximately 200 odd-sized grey beanies, given together as one gift in a large box. (You had to be there.) There were enough beanies to go around that we all posed for the above picture.

Improvables: Fifteenth Annual Halloween Show

On the heels of the Trunk-or-Treat (later that same night) was my troupe's annual Halloween show at Bountiful Davis Art Center. This always brings out the dedicated fans as well as all of the weirdos, but I can't tell those two groups apart. And that's exactly how we love it to be.

I remained dressed up as Thor and MC'd the show. I was joined on stage by Brady (Waldo), Erica (Oogie Boogie from The Nightmare before Christmas), JoJo (wolfman), Keenan (one of the Peter Parkers from the Spider-verse), Matt (the Bride from Kill Bill), Parker (some Nordic warrior video game character whose name I kept forgetting), Tanner (peanut butter sandwich), and Tyler (Moon Knight), with Willis (some kind of demon) on the piano.

We had a ball, but that's how improv always is. The night's game list included "Advice Panel," "Dueling Plays," "Film Noir," "Mumbling Movie Murder Mystery," "Predictive Text Song," "Replay at Bernie's," "Tombstone," and other favorites.

I think the headline "Improv Show Enjoyed by All" speaks for itself. Come and check out a show for yourself if you haven't done so before now!

Improvables: Megan's Tribute Show

Still reeling from the loss of our dear friend and troupe co-owner Megan, we nevertheless marched forward and put on a tribute show/fundraiser for her daughter, Roxie, on Friday night at the Bountiful Davis Art Center. As they say in show biz, the show must go on. We feel that Megan would've wanted us to put on a funny show even amidst the tears that were collectively shed, and that is what happened.

We shattered out previous attendance record with more than 100 attendees in chairs. Among those present were several of Megan's family members, former students, and other acquaintances. Together, we were able to raise over $1,500, which is also by far our best fundraiser ever.

The show itself included appearances by several improvisers past and present, under the direction of co-MCs Erica and Ricky. Some of my favorite moments included this scene set in a bowling alley/shooting range in "Sing It":

... along with Richard's "Advice Panel" character Shy Jerome:

There were hearty chuckles all around, just like Megan would've wanted there to be. Her departure leaves a large hole in our troupe that will be difficult to fill.

Goodbye, Megan

This past weekend, JB and I, along with the Improvables troupe, lost our dear friend Megan. It doesn't make sense. I don't know if it ever will. We are grieving but are also grateful.

Grateful to have been her friend. Grateful to have shared the stage with her for over a decade and to have seen her unique brilliance in action. Grateful to have known the genuine, selfless person she is off stage. Grateful to have visited a number of her classrooms to help teach her improv workshops and to see how her students love her and thrive with her teaching. Grateful she helped JB and me to take on troupe ownership as we brought Improvables back after a lengthy pandemic hiatus. Grateful for many late-night meals after shows and shared karaoke nights and birthday parties (our birthdays being only three days apart; Libras rule!). Grateful to have gotten to know her family, including stepkids and especially Tiny Human, whom we love like one of our own nieces.

We love you, and we miss you.