CHROMA COMEDY FESTIVAL PDX
The CHROMA COMEDY FESTIVAL’s mission is to showcase and to celebrate BIPOC improvisers and ensembles from across the country. BIPOC people have historically been underrepresented in the improv community - in classes, on stages, and in the audience. We commit to increasing representation by providing a platform for both established and emerging BIPOC improvisers on stage, on-line, and in the classroom. In addition to inviting top talent, we also select up-and-coming performers through an open submission process. Ultimately, we hope increased representation will inspire more BIPOC people to participate in the improv world as students, teachers, performers, leaders, and, of course, in the audience.
JON CARR - ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
Jon Carr is the founder and producer of Vaguely Specific Productions. As the former Executive Producer of The Second City, he oversaw all creative aspects of Second City Chicago, Toronto, and Hollywood. Before that, he worked as the Artistic Director of Dad's Garage Theatre in Atlanta, Ga.
He has had extensive experience on and off the stage of some of the most influential institutions in America. He's an award-winning improviser, a former leader at Alliance Theatre Company, and a writer of the 2018 Suzi Bass award-winning play Black Nerd. However, his greatest accomplishments are being a Dad to Ava and a loving partner to Annie.
CURIOUS COMEDY THEATER - EXECUTIVE PRODUCER
Curious Comedy Theater is a non-profit comedy theater founded in Portland, Oregon, in 2008. Curious Comedy’s mission is to improve people’s lives through the art of comedy with an emphasis on providing a platform for underserved voices, including those of the BIPOC, Women and Genderqueer, LQBTQIA+, differently-abled, and/or economically disadvantaged individuals of all ages.
Curious achieves this mission by producing over 600 shows, dozens of comedy classes, and multiple festivals per year. Curious sponsors the Northwest Black Comedy Festival and the Portland Queer Comedy Festival in addition to producing the Chroma and All Jane Comedy Festivals. For more information, visit www.curiouscomedy.org.