FAQ

  1. What exactly is improv?Improvisation is the art of acting without a script, costumes, props, or sets. Improv is mostly known through shows like "Kwik Witz" and "Whose Line is it Anyway," as well as places like Second City. Improv takes on many other forms, comedic or serious, short or long.
  2. Can we embarrass our friend by having you pull her up on stage?Mostly, we leave the performing to the professionals. Occasionally, we do take audience volunteers, but we don't make anyone come on stage unless they volunteer of their own free will. No exceptions. Lots of people are afraid of performing in public, and we don't want our audiences to be afraid.
  3. When does the Roving Imp do shows? It varies... the best way to keep track is to check the "Upcoming Shows" page, but in general:
    Every other Friday at 7pm; Every Saturday at 7pm.
  4. How much are tickets?
    Again, it varies. Shows generally cost $6.88, or 5.98 on student show nights. Ages 12 and under always get in free.
  5. Can we bring a group?
    We love groups, from big groups of friends to birthday parties to groups like Applebee's Services Development, Bonner Springs Business & Professional Women, Bonner Springs First Christian Church, Curves of Bonner Springs, and Farmer's Insurance. We'll even use your own inside jokes on stage!
  6. I've never seen a show like this before? Which is the best one to come to?
    On the Troupes page, any group with a star next to its name is a great place to start. These shows have been popular with new audience members!
  7. Is it OK to throw things onto the stage during the show?
    What? Of course not! Creating comedy is like creating a giant, delicate soap bubble, and throwing things at either one will destroy something cool. Unless you're throwing your underwear. Then we're like Tom Jones or Wayne Newton, and that's fine with us.
  8. I have very conservative religious parents. Will they be offended if I bring them to the show?
    Maybe... maybe not. Do they have the capability to see the humor in any situation, or are there some things that are absolutely never to be laughed at? You never know what topics the audience might shout out, so if they are a little more on the uptight side, your best bet is RI Spectacular. Other than that, maybe leave them at home and bring a date instead.
  9. Is there a place to see video of Roving Imp shows?
    You can visit the officially sanctioned RI Vimeo channel at http://www.vimeo.com/user1925850/videos.
  10. I'm really funny. How can I get into one of your groups?
    We add folks all the time - but first you have to come to a class. We have a particular style, and we'll teach it to you. Also, we want to make sure you're the type of person we want to spend tons of time with... and this is the best way for us to get to know each other. If you're serious about wanting to join, this is a really fun and easy way to prove it... and if money is an issue for you, don't let that stand in your way - we have lots of ways to work off class tuition!
  11. I've been doing improv for (x amount of time). Why do I need to take classes?
    There are a ton of different improv styles, and the more you know, the better you'll be. If you're an improv ninja, we'll notice and put you in the right place. Plus, class is the only way into a Roving Imp ensemble. We see if you play well with others, have a great, positive attitude, and if you're dependable and reliable - all things you don't see in an audition.
  12. But I'm desperately poor! I can't afford improv classes!
    We understand. We're not rich either. But we never let money stand in the way of someone that wants to learn improv. You get free tuition to our classes by bringing people to your class show. If you don't have that many friends, we also will train you to tech shows or work box office, and you can work it off that way. We also have work days, where you can spend a few hours cleaning, painting, or doing sweat-inducing things to build character and earn some free classes. 
  13. I've been taking classes for awhile. Can I be in a group now?
    Oh, Cupcake... please trust us. Improv ensembles, like many things in life, may not have a spot for you, no matter how good you are. Maybe someone in the group already has a similar style, sense of humor, physicality, or look. Maybe we already have enough skinny white guys with a detached, sardonic way of commenting about how weird life is.
    Or maybe you're still working your way along the improv highway. There are milestones, and maybe you rock at six of them, but that still leaves 50 or more to master. If this were easy to do well, everyone would do it. Everyone takes a different amount of time to learn how it works. Do your best in class, see shows, read books, and keep at it. We've been doing this a long time, and when you are ready, grasshopper, we will let you know. Or take a look at question 12 if you're not a person that takes things easily on faith.
  14. Am I good enough for a higher level class? It's about time I've moved on to level three...
    Here's a short list of some of the more important qualities we feel like you need to have to be super successful. Take a look, and if there are certain ones you're having problems with, let us know and we'll help you get over the hump.

Flexibility - in ability to play games and do emotionally connected work, and to switch between the two and to use them at the same time; in being able to play a variety of characters; in the ability to be a silent third person, or to completely carry a scene in which you're the only one talking.
Listening - Not only knowing what the other person has said, but also WHY the person said it.
Accepting - Saying YES to everything the scene asks for & living in the moment of the scene instead of allowing your ego to judge the scene or impose personal stigmas. Acceptance also extends offstage to the other actors in the room. For whatever reason, the universe has placed those people in this room at this point in time. There are things that each of those people can teach us, both about performing and about ourselves, and you will be a stronger actor and person for being open to that.
Feeling the joy & fun - There's hardly anything this world has to offer that offers as much pure joy as improv. Some folks allow the outside world to interfere with the flow of that joy, and it's evident in the work they do onstage. Even in a serious scene, you can tell if someone has the spirit.

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We get lots of great comments from our audiences... and some people are even brave enough to write them down:

"I don't know if I can stay for the second show. I might die from laughing." - David Franklin

"With shows of this quality, it's hard to believe we're not in Chicago." - Joe Henley

"It was so funny - I enjoyed every minute of it!" - Missy Booker

"I love the Roving Imp, and everything it stands for." - Trish Berrong

"John is an amazing improviser and I love his theater more and more every time I go there." - Keith Curtis

"Don’t let the rustic setting fool you. Even though the Roving Imp is in Bonner Springs, you won't find improv done any better. John Robison is a great MC and revels in the art of improv. His entire crew is able and willing to do whatever wacky thing comes into their heads. For an intimate theater in an intimate setting, the shows are always first rate." - Jim Lynch

"That was strange...." Leigha Robins (8 years old)

"This theater is on its way up. If you can get out to support the Roving Imp, I say do it. You will be supporting theater at its purest - new, innovative, and without ego. And you will get a chance to see some new faces on the theater scene - some people with a ton of potential." - Internet reviewer 'smallchange'

"I really enjoy the Roving Imp - you never see the same show twice no matter what it isl." - Michael Stack

"This show always leaves my sides split and my face hurting from laughing so hard! I love it!" Alyssa Papageorgieu

'You should be there, and witness the awesomeness! " - Chris Teters

"This is better than Stanford & Sons!" - Charlie Stack

Add your own review or comments about a show you've seen at the Imp! A comment form will appear on this page soon!