Barry Wright III

About this episode

Barry Wright III discusses the origins and evolution of Highwire Improv and its impact on the Baltimore improv community.

In this episode of The Truth In The Art, the guest is Barry Wright III! Who is Barry Wright III: Baltimore-based improviser, teacher, technology professional, and co-founder (and current board president) of Highwire Improv, launched in 2020. You might remember Barry from his first appearance on The Truth In The Art here. In our conversation, Wright talks about Highwire's origin during the 2020 lockdown, building an improv community in Highlandtown, and making improv financially accessible and sustainable. As he puts it, improv "can be done with absolutely no materials. You truly only need other human beings and space. Chairs are optional." He recalls launching 55 teams from across the world and running shows seven nights a week, all online. We dig into experimenting with programming like dinner-and-a-show, drop-in nights, worker-owned cooperative values, and how collaboration and feedback shape the evolving theater—all rooted in creating inclusive, community-driven arts programming that supports practitioners and connects audiences. For updates, visit https://highwireimprov.com/ Shows at Highwire Improv, 400 South Conklin Street, Baltimore. Photo courtesy of subject The Truth In…

People in this episode

Host: Rob Lee

Guest: Barry Wright III

Topics covered

• improv
• community
• theater
• arts programming
• Baltimore
• collaboration

Keywords

• improv
• community-driven arts
• Baltimore
• Highwire Improv
• theater
• collaboration
• inclusive programming

Sponsors

William G. Baker, Jr. Memorial Fund, Maryland State Arts Council, Mayor's Individual Artist Award - Creative Baltimore Fund

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Highwire Improv

Places: Baltimore

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