Evening of improv boasts impressive lineup

WASHINGTON — The next installment of the Performing Arts Series comes to town this weekend, with an evening of improv at the Washington High School Auditorium starting at 7:30 p.m. Saturday.

“It’s just so lighthearted, you just can’t help but laugh and get into the moment and forget all your troubles,” performing arts center committee member Jan Gallagher said.

The show will bring a range of performers, including performers from Mid-Prairie High School, a local improv group and “Improv Incubator,” a professional group from Cedar Rapids.

“It’s unique for me because it’s a homecoming,” said Eric Hanson, Washington native, master of ceremonies and member of Improv Incubator. “It’s in front of an audience of many people who I know … I really look forward to being a part of it and I’m glad we were able to bring it back after the pandemic.”

Local improv performer Greg Wiley said the show was always a blast.

“You just don’t ever know what’s going to happen,” he said. “It’s fun to have a group of people get together and try their hand at improv, and you get to be really good friends as well.”

Wiley said the show was based on audience input.

“It’s a lot of fun, the audience sets what’s going on,” he said. “We’ll ask some questions of the audience and we’ll perform some scenes around that. They’re supposed to be humorous, we like to think.”

Tickets for the show are free for middle school and high school students who bring their school IDs. For college students, tickets are $10, and $18 for other adults, although those signed up for the whole Performing Arts Series get in free.

Comments: Kalen.McCain@southeastiowaunion.com