Q. My upcoming show’s not listed in your listing section.  How can I get listed? 

A. Send your listings to us at least two weeks prior.  Be sure to include dates, times, prices (and yes, FREE is a price), locations, reservation numbers, and your website address if you have one.  Include a short description of your show – shortform, longform, all improvised, some sketch.  We don't list shows that are less than 50% improvised, nor do we list shows not open to the general public (this includes on-campus shows for students only) Use our form by clicking here, or send your press release to listings@improvreview.com.

Q. Why don't your review sketch?

A. Because it's not improv, and it is the art form of improvisation that we seek to promote. Sketch is scripted theater, using a different idiom and requiring a different form of critique. If someone wants to start Sketch Review, we'll be happy to give them our support and the benefit of our experience.

Q.  My current show is not reviewed.  How can I get reviewed?

A.  Well, first we need to have a reviewer in your area.  Our current coverage is Boston, New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Washington, DC, Chicago, Los Angeles, and Belgium.  Then, send us an e-mail asking to be reviewed, to editors@improvreview.com.

Q. Do you ever do "surprise" reviews?

No. We always contact the producer (often through the box office number, but also through the publicist) prior to coming to review a show. We have had occasions where we have contacted the producer or publicist, made arrangements, and the troupe was not told. If you don't produce your own show, be sure that you communicate with your producer how important it is that you want to know when reviewers are coming or are invited. In addition, we honor any reasonable request not to review a show.

Q.  Hey, my show got reviewed, and you said we sucked!  We had a bad night!  Now what do we do?

A.  If you know your show was bad the night we came, contact us right away and explain that.  We’ll try to come back before publication and re-review, provided you have a show to see.  If we publish a bad review and you don’t agree, we’ll again try to come back and re-review.  If the second show is significantly better, we’ll write a new review.  If it’s the same, we’ll do a short review under the original saying that.  Of course all groups are free to write a letter to the editor for publication.

Q. I feel the reviewer didn't have a good perspective of what my troupe was trying to do onstage, is it my fault you couldn't tell what I was trying to do? 

A. Yes.  The perspective the reviewers take is that of the audience. Although we pride ourselves on having better knowledge of improv and its machinations than most theater critics, we serve as advocates of the audience, both literally and figuratively.  Therefore, we will not be seeking reasons why a troupe or individuals might have made a choice unless it is apparent. We will instead offer up what was seen from the house, and what future audiences might expect. An acting teacher used to say "If it doesn't come across the footlights, it doesn't count."  True for us, and the rest of the audience.

Q.  What do those stars mean, and how do you decide to assign them?

A.  Each reviewer assigns them according to his own system, so in that sense, they’re subjective.  However, each reviewer is consistent in the assignments, so in that sense, they’re objective.  In general, no stars is very bad, and five stars is very good.  All else are shades between. 

Q.  I think I could write reviews for Improv Review.  What do I need to do? 

A.  Send us an e-mail telling us about yourself, and send a writing sample if you have one.  Tell us about your improv experience, and your current conflicts in your town.  We’ll send you a videotape of a show with known strong points and flaws, and ask you to write a review.  Then we’ll take it from there.