Grab a life jacket, because Iowa City’s about to flood—with laughter. The annual Floodwater Comedy Festival returns next weekend on November 14 and 15 at Willow Creek theater, located at 327 S. Gilbert St. downtown.
“It’s a comedy festival that highlights improv comedy and stand-up comedy,” Hannah Neel, a member of the Floodwater Organizing Committee, said. “We bring in groups from all over the country, and there will also be workshops offered. It’s a great community event for people who want to not only watch comedy, but also participate.”
This year’s headliners are Shawna Blake, a stand-up comic from Redland, Oklahoma, and Ham Hammer, a three person improv comedy group from Chicago. 21 other groups will also perform, including Willow Creek’s three house teams (Lady Franklyn, Cool Shoes, Pope Cactus).
“[I joined Willow Creek’s long-form improv team Lady Franklyn in] August of this year. It’s one of those things where I love doing theater, doing improv, especially in the community,” improv comedian Fiona Howat said. “What I love about festivals like this is that you’re gonna see a whole range of talents and shows that you wouldn’t normally see.”
Howat will perform with Lady Franklyn on Friday and will give an improvised presentation, called a NED Talk, later in the night.
Floodwater was first started in 2014 by members of the Iowa City theater scene. Since then, it has undergone several transformations and is now under the umbrella of the Willow Creek Theater Company nonprofit structure.
“[Hosting Floodwater is] a torch that’s gotten past a few times,” creative director Luke Brooks said. “We were heading out of the pandemic and they were looking for someone to take up the mantle, and I jumped on there with a few other folks.”
Willow Creek, which was founded in January of 2020, is a volunteer-run improv theatre.
“[Willow Creek is] a place for improv especially, but also all performing artists. It’s an accessible space where people can pursue their own projects, do their own stuff, and see things you can’t see anywhere else, with anyone else,” Brooks said.
In addition to hosting Floodwater, they host weekly shows and offer conservatory-style classes and workshops. Students can sign up to learn the basics of improv, acting, character creation, and more.
“It’s really rare to find this accessible of a theater for improv. You can walk in and just jump right in and get involved and make comedy as an art,” Lady Franklyn member Chris Apling said. “If you can dream it, you could probably put it up at Willow Creek.”
Two improv workshops, taught by Peter Collins and Clayton Morgenson, will be held at Willow Creek during Floodwater this year. Participants will explore characterization and scenebuilding as well as the “big picture” of a show. Both Collins and Morgenson are members of Ham Hammer.
“[If there’s one thing you see at Floodwater, it should be] Ham Hammer. I think the improv teams from Chicago are going to be great.” Apling said.
For one weekend only, comedy fans can sail down a river of laughs at Floodwater Comedy Festival. Tickets start at $15 for one show, or day and weekend passes can be purchased for $45-80.
“[You can expect] lots of laughs,” Neel said. “We have a great lineup, including broader area stand-ups and improv comedy, so no matter what branch you like, you’ll like it.”
