By Jaden Atkins
Baltimore Watchdog Staff Writer
The COVID-19 pandemic created voids in industries across the globe, including the Baltimore improv comedy scene. However, the founders of Highwire Improv did not allow the obstacles of the time to stop them from creating something new.
“I think the constraints of COVID forced us to be more creative,” said Barry Wright III, the president and co-founder of the improv group. “I think that has led to everyone treating the business differently.”
Wright said he began doing improv around 2017, picking up the hobby from his wife, who had been doing it for years. Wright appreciated the space because it provided him with a welcoming artistic environment.
Wright’s journey eventually led to his role in founding the organization in September 2020.
“Baltimore Improv Group shut down, and we didn’t know if it would keep going,” Wright said.
Highwire produced several virtual improv shows over Zoom throughout their first few years of operation.
As the world began to open up again following the pandemic, Highwire began performing at venues around Baltimore before settling into its permanent location at 400 S. Conkling St. in September of last year.
Flexibility has become a theme for Highwire Improv’s survival over the past six years. Starting an organization at the height of the COVID pandemic required founding members to become acclimated in skills beyond their job descriptions.
“I’ve been learning tech just by doing improv,” said Brian Shea, Highwire’s vice president.
Alongside his administrative duties, Shea does tech for the organization’s shows, managing the YouTube live streams, playing music and controlling lights – among other things.
Shea comes from a journalistic background, spending time as a newspaper reporter and in communications at Johns Hopkins University.
“My background is words and pictures not tech,” Shea said. “It’s just turning on music and lights.”
Part of Shea’s duties as vice president is programming the shows. Shea has produced improv shows for nearly a decade, including with Baltimore Improv Group.
“I just love giving people the opportunity to get on stage,” Shea said. “I want them to have a good experience, and I want them to know that we’re going to take care of them.”
Shows are produced as a part of three month “seasons.” According to Wright, programmers organize shows by the day, showcasing a variety of styles. Seventy-two groups will have performed at the end of this current season, which is set to end in June, Shea said.
Each show features a group of improvisors, some from the DMV, Delaware and Pennsylvania. A handful of other groups come from Baltimore, and some were trained by Highwire Improv themselves.
Highwire Improv provides community members with classes, both in-person and virtual, that allow interested individuals to learn the art of improv.
“A lot of time when people do improv it’s to learn skills,” said Highwire Improv board member Jess Robey. “For me, when I teach, it’s meeting them and just seeing their growth.”
Both Robey and Wright teach several of Highwire Improv’s classes. Similarly to both Wright and Shea, Robey participates in several improv groups around the city.
Robey’s acted in improv shows for over six years, several of which coming as a member of Highwire Improv. The organization provides Robey and others with the opportunity to entertain the community of Baltimore.
“I think for me it’s just allowing adults to be silly,” said Robey. “If I can make someone laugh, I’m like, ‘Alright, I did something good.'”
Highwire Improv’s motto, Community First, showcases its goals for creating a community of improvisors in Baltimore.
Following the opening of their permanent location last September, Wright says the next step is making the organization more stable.
“Our mission is to steward a community of improvisors,” Wright said. “It’s an honor and a privilege to create a space for people to play and learn.”