LOL WITH IT: Don't call it "chickprov!"

This week, we caught up with two Philly Improv Fest performers, Jessica Arjet and Kristen Firth of Firth&Arjet.

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LOL WITH IT: Don't call it "chickprov!"

POSTED: Friday, November 2, 2012, 11:33 AM

Filed Under: Comedy LOL With It

After you get your vote on Tuesday (do it!), head to the Prince Music Theater (PMT) on Wednesday for the first night of the eighth annual Philly Improv Festival, which also serves as the kickoff for Philadelphia Comedy Month. This week, we caught up with two of the week’s performers, Jessica Arjet (Austin, Texas) and Kristen Firth (Philly via Austin as of this August) of Firth&Arjet, who you can catch at PMT on Thu., Nov. 8 at 7:30 p.m.

City Paper: How did you two end up in improv?

Firth&Arjet: We both started out on the acting side of the theater world [but] improv has some great advantages in performance: You can feel the audience’s energy and feed off it. You also get absolutely honest reactions and deep connections more than when the material is filtered through a playwright, director, actors and more. Besides, improv is just so playful and delightful. It's so much fun to see what is going to happen next.

CP: Do you find the two-woman team experience unique, as opposed to co-ed troupes?

F&A: Absolutely! It's not that we do “chickprov,” but we have a huge commitment to our basic characters and the relationships between. Also, in improv you can't help but draw from what you know and who you are. We are both women, dealing with being female in this crazy world.

CP: Why should people come to see your show?

F&A: Because it is cute and funny and charming. You will be very happy if you come out to see us! And we'll give you a kiss if you ask nicely!

CP: Do you find it’s hard to be a team with Kristen in Philly and Jessica in Austin??

F&A: Well, yes and no. Kristin just moved to Philly in August to attend law school. But before that, Firth&Arjet enjoyed a weekly show at the Hideout Theatre in Austin (where Jessica is an owner). So we have five years of history and great shows behind us. Also, we are best friends — actually closer than best friends - it's a relationship that’s hard to understand unless you too have been in an improv duo. So playing together in Philly will be really special because we'll be able to play together again.

CP: Any thoughts on Philly Improv Fest?

F&A: We actually love PHIF, as well as Duo Fest in June. The people — especially [producer] Matt [Nelson] — are so awesome and generous. The improv is always really fun to watch, and [Philly is] a great city. We always have a blast when we play here and we are so happy to be invited back again this year.

Stay tuned to LOL WITH IT throughout November for more coverage of Philly Improv Fest and Philly Comedy Month.

(ryan.carey@citypaper.net) (@slackerDIYtoday)

Posted by Ryan Carey @ 11:33 AM Permalink | Post a comment

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Featuring everything from event roundups to concert reviews and sex talk, City Paper's Critical Mass is a space for off-the-wall coverage of Philly's A&E scene.

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