The Knockturnal caught up with the fabulous Emily Coates, who gave us a sneak peak of the Denver Improv Festival.
Q: Who are you, anyway, and what’s the big whoop?
A: Hi! I’m a Denver-based comedian and filmmaker. So, I’m broke, and have really bad teeth. I did have braces once, but that didn’t pan out for me. What else? Oh! I’m 27, and I’m dying to change my name. Any thoughts on what I should do? I won’t get married because….DISGUSTING. And, also…… FREEDOM. I wonder if it actually says “Emily Coates” on my birth certificate. I would check it, but I think my family lost it because we don’t care. In case you couldn’t already tell, there really is very little “whoop” in this paragraph, so, please skip forward.
Q: What’s this interview all about, then, anyway?
A: So glad you asked. Always good to speak up, and express your thoughts, and be in a rush. Way to go. This interview is about the Denver Improv Festival, mostly. Presented by Sexpot Comedy and Denver Relief, the festival runs November 6-7, in Denver, Colorado, and will feature performances by: Saturday Night Live alum, Paul Brittain, Tim Baltz (Comedy Central’s Drunk History), Punam Patel (ABC Family’s Kevin From Work), Mike Kosinski (TV Land’s Impastor), Kevin Laibson (Artistic Director, the PIT in NYC), and Chris Booth (Nat Geo’s Brain Games). It’s gonna be a grand old time.
Q: What’s going on with Denver comedy? Give it to me straight.
A: Thanks for being so upfront. I always admire that quality in readers, and in fakefortune tellers. All good things. That’s what’s going on with Denver comedy. The improv scene is blowing up, as is the stand-up scene. Dave Chappelle drops in at Comedy Works every couple of months because he loves Denver so much. Sexpot Comedy (http://sexpotcomedy.com/), founded by Andy Juett and Kayvan Khalatbari, is literally crushing it on every level, and they do a heck of a job promoting, and nurturing, local stand-up and improv. Denver is one of the most supportive places to hone your comedy craft, and that sets us apart from other cities, and it makes us super special. That and our……. weather. Our weather rocks.
Q: What else is going on with the Denver Improv Festival? You didn’t explain a ton.
A: I never said I was good at interviews. So, just hold on to your underwear for a second. You can lose your socks, though.
Here’s some more info! Read the words and periods below, and get PUMPED.
In addition to seeing headliners improvise their hearts out, festival attendees will be able to enjoy performances by numerous local teams – Governor Jack, For the Record…, and Carnival Code, to name a few – and several out-of-state groups, that are making the trek from places like Chicago, Atlanta, and Dallas. Shout-out to PLF, Lost Dog, and David & Terry for doing that. They’re awesome.
All of our headliners are teaching workshops, and the Denver improv community is super psyched to learn from some of the best in the biz. Paul Brittain will perform his ‘Sex’ Ed Vincent sketch show on Friday, November 6th, and all of the headliners will finish out the festival with a grand finale blowout show at the Jones Theatre at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts on Saturday, November 7th. Local fave, Renegade Brewing Company, has generously donated tons of beer for that show. Improv and beer and a Saturday night in Denver? Pretty rad, everyone. PRETTY RAD.
If you’re in Denver, or feel like flying out here soon, THEN COME JOIN US. Don’t miss out on any of our festivities if you can help it, please. Cool? 
Also, if you have to miss the festival, then get a little slice of the fun by checking out these promos I shot:
Yes, that’s me, and, yes, I do look 12.
If you have internet access, and an unhealthy interest in social media, then please follow the Denver Improv Festival on Facebook. Or don’t. But if you don’t, then just know that you’re missing out on seeing stuff like typed sentences, and photos of burritos and dry Colorado lawns.
