The Providence Improv Guild
For May, I thought it might be time to bring a little fun to
this quarantine situation, so I reached out to the Providence Improv Guild. I
first learned about PIG at my first Pecha Kucha event held in the PIG rehearsal
space. The event was aptly titled “When Pigs Fly,” a saying that feels somewhat
less comical now that the impossible seems to happen each day. But let’s take a
break from the neverending sad type of craziness and learn about the happy type
of craziness of the Providence Improv Guild.
Back in 2012, a group of local improvisers looking to create
a more cohesive community for other improv groups and improv enthusiasts around
Providence started the Providence Improv Guild. The Guild is a school and
performance space for improv and sketch theater and is currently located in the
Southside Cultural Center at 393 Broad Street in Providence. They teach four
levels of improv classes, do workshops for businesses, students, or any group
that wants to build up their “so-called ‘soft skills,’” and have an open stage
policy (that means that anyone can get in contact with PIG and get some stage
time).
I got to speak with Alyssa Goldstein, the executive director
of PIG about her experience and what PIG is really about.
How did you personally get into improv?
I started in improv at the recommendation of a dear (and
obviously very smart!) friend. She knew a few folks involved at PIG and
thought it would be a good fit for my personality. I was looking for an outlet
for my creativity and a new hobby after becoming a parent a couple of years
earlier. It has been 4 years now and I feel like I've found my corner of the
sky!
What have been the most fulfilling projects you and the
guild have been a part of?
This past year we hosted Pecha Kucha at our venue, with
performers from all around Providence, PIG and from our partners at the SCC.
We're all about community so it was really wonderful bringing so many folks
together to teach them about the impact of improv while also learning about
some of the other wonderful things going on around Providence. We've also been
working hard the past few years to sustain a scholarship program to get folks
who are underrepresented in the comedy scene an incentive to get involved.
Improv is all about tapping into your lived experiences, and we want a broad
range of experiences on stage to make the storytelling and comedy resonate with
a broader audience.
What are some of your favorite Providence hidden
gems?
Being close to PIG HQ, Sin Bakery and Ogie's Trailer Park
are two PIG favorites. Not sure how hidden they are, but very
beloved! Sin is the final checkpoint of the annual WestSide Caroling
event...for the unfamiliar, dozens and dozens of folks walk around the west
side and sing holiday carols together. SO fun and emotional...I cried at the
end when we sang Happy Xmas (War Is Over). Ello Pretty is a fantastic salon on
Valley Street tucked away in a modern industrial style renovated mill
building. Gorgeous space and great service!
Why do you think improv is an important skill/activity,
regardless of whether someone is involved in theater or comedy?
Sure do! So many folks tell us why they signed up. Many
because they love comedy, but others are looking to improve their public
speaking or work on their communications. Improv is all about active
listening and building upon (instead of shutting down) your partner's
suggestions. Instead of saying "no" or "but why" out
of fear of the unknown, our philosophy is "yes, and". We want to
foster environments of collaboration and growth, important factors for any
couple or student or employee or boss or parent or...you see where I'm going
with this.
Do you have any funny/little known trivia about Rhode
Island?
Glendale in Burriville is home to reportedly the oldest
penny arcade in America. They still have a lot of old (and operating!)
games to play. Wooden arcade games. They also have some modern
games too. The arcade is at Spring Lake beach which is amazing!
What are your hopes and dreams for arts & culture in Rhode Island? What are you excited about?
I'm excited about all the MURALS in downtown Providence!
I just love public artwork, and being in different buildings or parking
structures always gives me an exciting new perspective! What I hope is
that we keep attracting new acts and send our own artists around and abroad to
bring new styles and mediums to our little state. RISD is obviously a great
boon to our arts cultures. The Providence Flea is a great way for local
artisans and artists to showcase and sell their work. I hope our leaders can
continue to prioritize arts and culture and hopefully increase the range of
cultures that we see represented in our exhibits.
You can stay up to date with the Providence Improv Guild by liking them on Facebook, subscribing to them on
YouTube,
and checking out their official website.
-- Lulu Amirult
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