The cloak of the Winnipeg iF… Improv Fest has fallen over Winnipeg recently bringing laughter and merriment to hundreds of frosty faces. Before I left Winnipeg and skipped across the pond to jolly olde England (which is more olde than jolly) I interviewed the artistic director of the festival, Stephen Sim, for UMFM’s bi-monthly publication - Airtimes. I wasn’t able to find a direct link to the archived article, so here is the version I had on my computer. Enjoy!
I recently had the chance to sit down and exchange emails with Stephen Sim from the world-famous improv duo – Crumbs! There are not a lot of people who can say they’re world famous and mean it in this town. In fact, it’s literally just Crumbs and Burton Cummings. When Stephen Sim and Lee White are together on stage you know you’re in safe, knowledgeable and hilarious hands. If you’re saying to yourself “Oh hello Self! I was just thinking we need to see more improv in Winnipeg.” Well you’re in luck! (The good kind of luck, not the Irish/potato kinda luck) The following is a transcribed conversation that our computers had:
Tim: When did The Winnipeg iF… Improv Festival start?
Stephen: The Winnipeg iF… Improv Festival started at the Gas Station Theatre in 2000.
Tim: What was the impetus to start a festival of improv in Winnipeg?
Stephen: I don’t know about the impetus, but I had returned to Winnipeg after touring and I was inspired by an improv festival in Seattle. There was a new festivals grant that was offered by the City of Winnipeg. Was one of those things the impetus?
Tim: Yes? What is it about the art form of improv comedy that drew you to it?
Stephen: The comedy has always been a part of my life growing up. Improvisation was just a way of doing it that was fast and all encompassing. Now I could be a writer, director, and actor all at once and all live. No rehearsals, no re-writes, no blocking, no more approval by the board of producers and test audiences. It is all live, all the time.
Tim: What can someone expect to see at this year’s improv festival?
Stephen: Just the most dangerous form of live comedy known.
Tim: Can you give a brief/vague description of the video improv you’ve been doing at previous festivals?
Stephen: Amazing. Inspired by a group who did an improvised movie format. Involves several film crews a live soundtrack and in camera editing.
Tim: Name dropping?
Stephen: I once …
Tim: Nice. What are the details for the festival (when/where)
Stephen: Well, let us see here.
The Winnipeg iF… Improv Festival Mainstage show will be at the Gas Station Theatre FEB 18-19-20th. The Festival will start on FEB 15th with other events and workshops and other secret improv things.
Tim: Is there an online presence?
Stephen: Yeah, we might do an improv show over the internet.
Tim: Exciting! Thanks again and again Mr. Sim!
Well, that’s my interview with ½ of the world famous improv duo Crumbs! Make sure you mark your calendars off from February 15th to the 20th for The Winnipeg iF… Improv Festival. You can find Crumbs on facebook and/or you can follow the Crumbs trail on Stephen Sim’s blog – http://crumbscomedy.blogspot.com/
I should note that Dan Huen and Tim Gray conducted an audio interview with Crumbs (Stephen Sim & Lee White) and it is in the editing phase right now. Also, jared story wrote a wonderful piece in Uptown Magazine on Mr. Sim and the fest’ of ‘mprov.
