Since 2012, Dayton has had its own style of Improv with the Black Box Improv Theater. Owned by Justin Howard, Black Box is not just the only Improv Theater in Dayton, but the only one within the tri-state area of Ohio, Kentucky and West Virginia.
\nImprov, short for improvisational theater, is a form of theater where the dialogue and material are performed on the scene. The first documented form of Improv Theater was in 391 B.C. in Rome.
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\n Modern forms of improvisational theater, such as Second City in Chicago and the Groundlings in Los Angeles, have produced some of the most famous comedians today, like Amy Poehler of \u201cParks and Recreation,\u201d Bill Murray of \u201cGhostbusters\u201d and Will Ferrell of the \u201cAnchorman\u201d movies.
\n\u201cTechnically, Improv is a theatrical experience of actors not using pre-written dialogue, have to come up with whatever\u2019s off the top of their heads while on stage,\u201d said Howard. \u201cThe Theater is a host to activities such as sketch comedy workshops, classes on sketch comedy style writing and video productions for the military\u201d.
\nHoward said he looks up to many actors and actresses to find inspiration.
\n \u201c[I\u2019m influenced by] comedic teachers Del Close and Charna Halpern of the IO Theater in Chicago. The cast of Black Box even contributed to a Del Close tribute show a while back,\u201d he said.
\nHoward said many members of the Theatre hope to continue their careers in acting outside of Dayton.
\n\u201cBeyond some starring in a few local commercials, nothing huge as of yet. Some have moved to cities where bigger Improv theaters are located. The thing is that some people think of Dayton as small but Dayton has a history of major things happening here,\u201d Howard said.
\nShows the theater hosts are \u201cThe Stack\u201d which are four shows done by four of the theaters rising stars, \u201c#Hashtag Womit,\u201d two hours of improvised comedy and improvised musicals.
\n\u201cIn late April, the theater will launch its first online sketch show,\u201d he said.
\nHoward said he hopes the community will enjoy local talent.
\n\u201cIf people come see and enjoy the improvised shows put on by local talent enough to tell others about the theater. I enjoy the fact that I was able to do that for them,\u201d Howard said. <\/p>\n