I just arrived in New York City for my 6th consecutive summer pilgrimage to the UCB Theatre.

I landed at JFK, Air Train to Jamaica and E to 42nd Street to drop my bags. But Why? Why am I here? For the 12th Annual Del Close Marathon. YES! It has been described as Improv Christmas, an ALL YOU CAN EAT Longform Buffet performed by some of the most talented improvisers in the country (and Canada). And it happens Every Year because of Del Close and what he meant as a Director, Mentor and Friend to the Upright Citizens Brigade, and for thousands of improv disciples performing Harold around the world.

In fact, I consider myself to be one of those disciples.

It is my belief that Harold as a structure and philosophy of play is the basis for all comedic work, whether written for the stage, screen, or improvised. We have Del to thank for not only the recognition and respect improvisation has received as an Art but for a lot of what we consider to be comedy today. I never worked with Del myself, but I am extremely lucky to have worked with people who learned directly from him before he passed away. And I am proud to have Del watch over me, my students and my company at DSI.

“We are creating relationships between people, because in order to make improvisation work as theater or comedy, you have to deal with each other in a way that, if people behaved this way socially, the world would be a nicer community.” — DEL CLOSE, The Madness of Art

Now I’m off to enjoy the Marathon!