A live cinematic universe comes to Baltimore theater

Baltimore Improv Group (BIG) announces it’s 2019 nonprofit fundraiser. Audiences are invited to visit for “WINTER WONDERYESAND, Yule Laugh Your Cash Off” as the theme of this year's edition of the nonprofit's annual fundraiser comedy event. The improv fundraiser event takes place in their home at Station North’s The BIG Theater on December 8th from noon to midnight.

This year's show will be an attempt at a holiday-themed expanded universe. What happens in one improv comedy show over the course of the day will then be true for all following sets, just like the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU).

Similar to the movies of Disney's MCU, elements from previous shows may be heavily featured or totally ignored in any given set, but all sets will be understood to occur within the same universe.
BIG'S Annual Holiday Party Starts at 9PM.

Terry Withers serves as BIG's Managing Director. Withers started improvising in 2007. A past teacher and performer of The Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre, Withers teaches improv as a faculty member of BIG University and tours the nation with a few different improv shows.

"I am proud to announce that this year's fundraiser is bolstered by over $15,000 of matching gifts promised to BIG from generous BIG Board Members, staff and one angel donor," said Withers. "This number will most likely increase by the time serious fundraising is underway in November."

As a 501(c)(3) non-profit, the collective entertains with over 300 live shows each year including weekdays, weekends, and holidays. With an annual audience of over 5,000 people, over 100 regular performers and volunteers present Maryland audiences with live comedy shows every night of the week.

As part of Young Audiences of Maryland (YAMD), BIG performs in assemblies and teaching residencies in Maryland schools.

The Maryland improv organization runs many events throughout the year such as the annual Baltimore Improv Festival which brought in over 400 performers in 100+ comedy teams to the region. For 2019, the festival in Baltimore City's Station North Arts & Entertainment District hosted visitors from 25+ cities, 15 states, 2 countries. They performed in 45 shows over 7 days making it one one of the largest improv festivals on the east coast and mid-atlantic area.

Baltimore Improv Group (BIG) advances the art of comedy improv in the Baltimore region by supporting participation and education throughout Charm City.

For Artscape 2019, Baltimore Improv Group audiences attended 31 separate performances from early Friday afternoon until late Sunday evening. The event held an average attendance of 85 people per show. Over 2,250 people saw improv take center stage at the theater over Artscape weekend. Another 480 people saw the theater's stand up show LOL@Artscape.

"This means that what happens in one set will then be true for all following sets," said Withers. "Just like the Marvel Expanded Universe (who can forget when Malekith's Aether was revealed many movies later as an Infinity Stone in the care of The Collector?)!"

More people saw local Baltimore comedy at The BIG Theater during Artscape weekend than during a full month of shows in 2018. Artscape 2019 attendance was higher than two full months of shows in 2017 and more than 8 months of shows in 2016.

"The really exciting news is that this project is going to make our building's entrance, and our work by association, look spectacular to the casual passerby," said Withers.

Baltimore Improv Group's 2019 Fundraiser Event takes place at The BIG Theater, 1727 N. Charles St Baltimore, Maryland from noon to midnight. More details about WINTER WONDERYESAND to be provided at bigimprov.org/wonderyesand