National Funny Coming to Ferndale

The art of improvisational comedy often works when there is conflict--when the person on stage is able to channel frustration or anger with the other player.

But Becky Brett, who is co-producing Go Comedy!'s improv comedy festival this week, has another idea.

"What if, instead, you're really passionate about the spicy mustard on the table?" Brett said. "Improv can be about taking something that's happy, and playing off of that."

During the Spontaneous Combustion Motor City, or "SponCom" festival, audiences can see more than 18 performances spanning eight shows headlined by some of the best improv troupes in the nation. There are also seven workshops during which participants can learn key improv techniques, such as finding the "happiness" in improvisation, from the "best of the best," Brett said.

The festival runs Aug. 10 to Aug. 14 at in Ferndale.

It's the first festival of its kind for the metro Detroit venue, which opened its doors in the fall of 2008. Since then its resident improv troupe, The Mighty They, which includes PJ Jacokes, Bryan Lark, Chris DiAngelo, and Garrett Fuller, has entertained audiences during its All-Star lineup every weekend. During the festival they'll be joined by colleagues from all over the country, including native Detroiters who have gained national acclaim with their personal brands of improv.

The 313, for example, gets its name from the Detroit area code, where five of its members grew up. They cut their teeth at The Second City in Chicago, the nationally-acclaimed improv-based sketch comedy theater. Based in Los Angeles, 313 members include Larry Joe Campbell, who has been seen on the TV show According To Jim, and Andy Cobb, Joshua Funk, Nyima Funk, Marc Evan Jackson, and Keegan-Michael Key, who have all appeared on MadTV. 

The 313 will perform on Saturday with The Mighty They and another improv troupe, Cook County Social Club from Chicago.

With the festival's workshops, Go Comedy! wants to prove to everyone that the ability to do improv does not require special talent--improv, Brett and Jacokes say, can be learned.

Workshops cost $25 each and run on Saturday and Sunday. Subjects include how to inject "joy" into improv and "whole-body listening," which explores how people can better listen to their partners on stage by engaging the body, brain, heart, and spirit.

Why is it important to know how to listen in improv?

"Because you're making it all up," Jacokes said. "You can't always be thinking about your next move." 

"At its core, improv is about make believe," Jacokes continued. "Everyone used to be a child and play make believe. With improv we try to get people back to that place of pretend. You can learn it. Or relearn it."

For a complete festival and workshop schedule and to buy tickets, visit www.spontaneouscombustionmotorcity.com or www.gocomedy.net. You can also purchase tickets in person at the Go Comedy! box office and by calling 248-327-0575.