The Opinion Page

Editors: Jeff Catanese & William T McEvoy

Welcome to the inaugural issue of Improv Review!

Dear Readers,

Let’s cut to the chase.  First and foremost, this magazine is a forum for the criticism of improvisational performance.  I should say here that we don’t feel the need to defend this.  The end will justify the means.  I have read too many good reviews of bad improv in the “legitimate” press, just because those critics honestly have no idea what they’re looking at, or what they’re looking for.  To find it amazing that improvisors are able to “just make it up,” is to find it amazing that a painter knows how to hold a brush.  When you understand the dynamics of improvisation, you can tell whether the troupe being reviewed is making it up well or not.

This magazine seeks to target both improvisors and the general public.  Our mission is to present a guide to the global improv scene as written by experienced improvisors and other writers who recognize and can write about the unique theater experience that improv provides.  We hope to inspire a higher level of excellence in those who perform and produce improv, to enable improv to be recognized as an art form in and of itself, and to allow the improv audience to view improv on the same plane as other performance arts.

In addition to criticism, the monthly content of this magazine will include:

Commentary and opinions of its editors;

Letters to provide a public forum of opinions;

Listings of what shows, classes, etc are going on all over the improv world; and

News, features and information that are interesting and pertinent to the life and work of improvisors.

We feel that by providing a strong, opinionated voice in the world of improv they can inspire others to value their own voices, and have the courage to use them.  It is our profound hope that, as the improv community begins to use its voice, members of the “real” press will learn how to embrace and judge improv performance, and allow the public to do the same.

It’s fair to tell you that most of the preceding paragraphs were copied and pasted directly from our own mission statement.  So now you know the filter that we use when deciding on articles, and choosing editorial content.  We don’t contend to be the happy, fun-time place for improvisors to read about their buddies, nor do we expect everyone to agree with all of our content.  We do hope to be a strong voice in the community that holds itself to a high standard so that it may indirectly serve as an advocate.

We love improv.  It’s time the world learned what it is, and what it can be.

Jeff Catanese

Editor-in-Chief

Dear Readers,

When we started planning the creation of this forum for improv review, we were often asked "Why?  Why does improv need to be reviewed?"  Our motto is "...because improv is art, dammit," and it's what we point to as our sole justification.  No art form has ever gained in stature or acceptance without a standard of criticism.  This is the first step, but we concede, not the last.  As we grow, we hope that the critical standards we help evolve will filter into mainstream media.

Now there are going to be those who say (especially those who don't get a stellar review) that Jeff and I have an axe to grind with the improv community.  To those we say, read the reviews.  Are they balanced?  Are they educated?  Are the same standards held from one review to the next?  Our editorial policy calls for us to plainly state any conflict of interest at the top of the review, and when we assign reviews, we assign the reviewer with the least conflict. 

That same policy also recognizes the fact that because of the very nature of improv, show quality can change from night to night, and so we are committed to review groups who perform regularly, as often as schedules allow. 

There are many who say we're "burning our bridges."  That as performers in the craft we're reviewing, we're going to anger people who then won't work with us.  To that we say: bullshit.  I have a lot more respect for someone who openly says what they think of my work than I do for someone who simply whispers their opinions to their friends.  I believe that the quality people that I want to work with will give me that same respect.

Improv Review is adding a new offer to the improv mix, I trust we will see it “yes anded,” and raise the level of all the work.

William McEvoy

Editor-in-Chief