Levity Theatre presents: 'This is Your Show'

Levity Theatre is bringing a one-of-a-kind performance to Coeur d'Alene on Nov. 13 at the Unity Center for Spiritual Growth. The show, titled "This Is Your Show," will be performed only once. Why? Because the script will be entirely improvised.

"The audience tells us entirely what they want us to do, and then we create a format of a show right before, and then we do it," said Levity Theatre founder Noah Johnson.

As seasoned improv performers, Levity Theatre's team is skilled at turning wacky audience suggestions into comedy. In previous shows, Johnson said audience suggestions have led to creations such as an improvised science-fiction cinematic epic, a dance battle between dentists and a trailer park soap opera with a split timeline.

"It was utterly insane," Johnson said. "Those shows are the most fun. They always hit, they're hilarious, so fun to do, and everybody loves them."

Since 2022, Levity Theatre has brought the art of improv to Coeur d'Alene through adult classes and workshops. It started with free shows at the public library but grew in popularity over the years, moving to larger venues and paid performances. Today, the group's 10 most experienced improvisers perform for audiences twice a month on Fridays at the Unity Center for Spiritual Growth.

"We have an anchored space where our audience knows where we are," said performance team member Josa Snow, "and we're building our audience."

Improv comedy is a craft, according to Johnson, and good improv is very different from bad improv.

"Some people only see bad improv shows and it breaks my heart," Johnson said. "We pride ourselves on that we don't do bad shows, we really don't."

To prepare for performances, Levity Theatre members hone their skills through improv drills and games. Johnson said practicing for an improv show is less like rehearsing a production and more like a soccer practice.

"Even within improv we have structures to kind of keep us on track," Johnson said. "Really good improv looks like improvisers who work really well together and are shameless in their execution. They're quick and have really good chemistry with their teammates."

At Levity Theatre, improv is about more than performances, according to performance team members Josa Snow and Derek Jones. Levity Theatre is a community where people from diverse backgrounds unite over a shared hobby.

"It was always a stress reliever for me," Jones said. "It's all about letting loose and having fun."

Levity Theatre's "This Is Your Show" will take place Friday, Nov. 13, at 9 p.m., following a regular improv comedy show at 7 p.m. at the Unity Center for Spiritual Growth. To contribute audience suggestions for "This Is Your Show," attendees should arrive by 8:45 p.m. Tickets are $7 and available online at levitytheatre.com.

    Noah Johnson and Josa Snow practice at a Levity Theatre improv class.
  

    Students at Levity Theatre practice an improv game.