An improv format named after an inside joke might be the most impov-y thing ever. This longform improv structure was first performed and named in 1967 by San Francisco-based improv group, The Committee. (It’s comforting to know that improv team names have always been weird.) The team named the format “Harold” after a line in A Hard Day's Night where George Harrison refers to the name of his haircut as an “Arthur”. That’s some deep layers of comedy right there.
Hailing from Louisville, Kentucky, Jaime Lazich (aka DJ Jamples) brings an unhinged energy to their characters, plays a hilarious voice of reason and also lends their talents to teaching classes. After only 5 years of improv, Jaime’s blend of cerebral humor and physical comedy led them to share the main stage with other performers in The Reader. Learn a bit more about what drew Jaime to improv, what they do for fun and their biggest inspirations.
Last Friday marked the first collective rodeo for our summer Tumbleweeds teams. Strutting into the Rendezvous in Belltown on Friday, July 14, five teams grabbed improv by the reins and rode out 30-minute-long scenes to a packed theater. After only rehearsing together for the last 4 weeks, all five teams managed to gel, bond and perform some great improv.
We can tell you all day long how great the community at Bandit Theater is and how special improv comedy is. But now you don’t have to take it from us. Bandit student, Tumbleweed performer and journalist for The Stranger, Nathalie Graham, recently wrote about her experience with Bandit. From taking her first class and auditioning for a spot on the Tumbleweeds teams, to interviews with fellow students and hearing how Bandit started directly from founder Annie Barry, Nathalie’s article is a good look into what makes improv (and Bandit) special. Thanks for all the kind words, Nathalie!
Annie Barry has an uncanny ability to make everyone feel welcome and included. Maybe that’s why she was the perfect person to start Bandit Theater. In the process, Annie has worked to create a rich improv community, bringing up new improvisers and giving them the chance to shine. She’s also an insanely talented improviser who performs in a number of Bandit shows, acts and even dabbles in gardening. In case you’re wondering, she did not write this description of herself.
