by Jamie O'Neil
Have you ever been having a really bad day and all of a sudden something funny happens? Something totally surprising, unscripted, out-of-the-blue- that just breaks you out of your funk and gets you laughing? This kind of humor is what Jet City Improv is all about.
How I Became Involved
I have been fortunate enough for about the last year to serve on the board at one of Seattle’s most hilarious 501(c)3s - Jet City Improv. I first became involved when I saw a posting online for board members needed, and because I was very involved in acting and theater when I was growing up, it seemed like the perfect organization for me to get involved with. Plus, I had previously been to one of their shows and loved it, so I knew I would enjoy being involved - which is important. As a board member, you want to be looking forward to your meetings, not dreading them because you aren’t emotionally invested in the cause.
What They Do
In their own words: “Jet City Improv was founded in 1992 by Andrew McMasters and Mike Christensen as Seattle’s own improvised comedy show: more games, more comedy, no points or rules. As the show gained popularity, so too did their desire to spread the power of improv to the community in new ways.” They quickly obtained their 501(c)3 non-profit registration from the IRS and formed their mission: to educate, enlighten, and entertain audiences through the art of improvisation.”
Making a Difference One Laugh at a Time
Jet City has been bringing laughter to those in need for over 25 years. As a non-profit organization, they are able to bring improv into the community at no cost through funded ticket sales, donations and more.
In turn, improv helps build communication skills, self-confidence, and bellyaches (from laughing) to kids across the Northwest through programs including (but not limited to):
- Incarcerated youth at King County Juvenile Detention Center
- Homeless youth and youth in transition at the Sanctuary Arts Center Visual Storytelling Program
- Sea Mar CHC’s Renacer Youth Treatment Center
- Over 14 different camps each summer including:
- Camp Goodtimes for kids battling cancer
- Burn Camp Eyabsut
- Kiwanis Camp Casey for kids with mobility issues (such as Muscular Dystrophy)
- Jefferson Community Center High School Mock Trial presentation training
This last week at the biggest fundraiser of the year, Jet City’s Brew-Ha-Ha, which Sweeney Conrad sponsored, we were able to raise money for these uplifting programs. However, you can also help to raise money for these programs year-round by attending Jet City’s amazing shows. Classic Jet City Improv shows happen continuously throughout the year on Friday and Saturday nights, but the organization also mixes in fun new shows each season. For example, starting June 17th is “Shot Prov” - an improv show with a random set of rules, but the improvisers don’t get to know what the rules are! Every time an improviser breaks a rule, they have to take a shot. After they take 5 shots, they’re booted out of the game.
To learn more about Jet City’s outreach programs and to make donations click here.