The Kings of Summer followed by River City Improv (with guest Marc Evan Jackson)
Ladies Literary Club, Grand Rapids
Oct. 19, 7:33 p.m.
$10
rivercityimprov.com, (616) 752 8570
Come this February, River City Improv will celebrate its 20th anniversary, and if you have yet to experience one of the troupe's sidesplitting improv sets, you best remedy that soon. Rick Truer, one of the founding members of the group, estimates that between its public shows and private event performances, RCI performs roughly 60-80 times per year, so there are plenty of chances to check it out.
A good start would be to check out their Oct. 19 screening of The Kings of Summer, an indie/comedy film featuring former RCI cast member Marc Evan Jackson. After screening the film, Jackson will come out and take part in a short improv set, his first performance with the troupe in 12 years.
Jackson originally became involved with RCI to provide musical accompaniment to the group's sets. Right away he knew he wanted to become more involved.
"I was at the first rehearsal for about 10 minutes, watching the fun they were having and the hilarity they were creating through improv and I thought, 'We need to find someone else to come play the piano, because I want to do what they're doing for the rest of my life,'" Jackson said.
Eventually, Jackson would leave the group to branch out into radio, television and film. He has since appeared in Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen, Arrested Development, Parks and Recreation, Reno 911 and The Thrilling Adventure Hour podcast also features him as a cast member.
Jackson feels his time with RCI and other similar groups has helped him prepare for these roles, and more importantly, that improv in general teaches important life skills.
"Essentially, you need to show up with energy and a good attitude, listen to each other, accept what's going on, get involved, and play well with others," Jackson said. "These are pretty great ways to lead one's everyday life, regardless of whether you want to be an actor or not."
RCI has also seen its fair share of growth and successes over the years.
"One of the first shows that we did we rented the Ladies Literary Club and we had 20 people in this 100-seat theater," Truer said. "Within a couple years we moved around the corner to this coffee shop that was on 10 Weston, and we performed on this little stage in the back that had 110 seats and we'd pack it out every time."
For RCI's 10th anniversary show, they broke a personal record, filling a 1300-seat auditorium.
What started out as a comedic experiment conducted by a handful of Calvin College alumni has turned into a mainstay in the Grand Rapids comedy scene, and members both past and present couldn't be more proud.
"I'm so pleased not only that RCI has been around as long as they have, but that they've thrived and grown," Jackson said.
