Mockingbird Improv has fun Summer plans for you!

WHAT’S HOT FOR JULY!

Crank up the ol’ AC unit because this July, Mockingbird Improv is going to be sweltering…with fun and laughter! Yeah, the temperature too. We know. To entice people into the theater we have some special things planned for this month including a new miniseries, camp for the kids, a couple workshops, an offer to enjoy opera and a whole new idea in bar fun! We hope you’ll join us for a month of relaxing fun!

But first of all…

WELCOME OUR NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, ERICA CLERMONT!

You may already know and love Erica as she has been a fixture in the San Diego improv community for some years now. She took on the role of interim Executive Director back in February and at the June board meeting she was elected permanent Executive Director.

Originally from British Columbia, Canada where she earned a BA in theater and film from the University of British Columbia, Erica has been involved in theater and improv since a very young age. She also has an MA in Organizational Leadership, where she used improv as a way to improve culture and increase trust within organizations. You can catch her performing most weeks and has a cat and a dog she loves very much, is obsessed about all things miniature, and is an avid knitter.

Congratulate Erica when you see her. We are thrilled to have her onboard!

NEW TELENOVELA MINI-SERIES - TAKES OVER FRIDAY NIGHT 8:30 SPOT IN JULY

Starting Friday July 3rd , LIRRER / Telenovela Improv one of Mockingbird’s most hilarious and popular group shows will be presenting a four-part continuing story with a central mystery to be solved in the final installment. Titled Donde Esta Walberto? the series will appear weekly on Fridays at 8:30 PM. Premieres Friday, July 3rd. Tickets

50% OFF SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE FOR
JULY KIDS IMPROV CAMP ⛺️

The fun and benefits of improv can start early with our newest Kids Improv Camp! We are offering 50% off scholarships- please ask about them! Session starts on July 13, in the afternoons. You may also pair it with other day camps happening in our building for a full day! For more info and to register go to the website’s youth page.

ALSO: NEW KID’S TICKET PRICE: $5

You read that right. Starting in July, Mockingbird will support families by only charging $5 for tickets for kids (up to age 17). So bring the kids to any 7:00 PM family-friendly show (or other show with parental guidance) and save some cash. Maybe invite friends or a neighbor kid along?

7:00 PM SHOWS:
All Hands On Deck!
Radio 47
Showtuned
Lyrics & Laughs

CAST PICNIC WRAP-UP

The second annual Mockingbird Improv cast picnic was held at Morley Field in Balboa Park on Saturday June 20 and it was a blast! Now you may be straining to remember what the first annual cast picnic was- don’t worry, it occurred without much fanfare at the top of Presidio Park on a rather gray, windy day and the dozen or so guests played croquet and then attempted to light a hibachi fire to cook which it cannot be agreed upon if it ever worked. But that was then and this is now! Organized by the Mockingbird Improv Cast Committee, acting chairperson, Karina Montgomery stressed the importance of social fun off stage and between the theater’s numerous show casts. Grill Master, Angel Garibay kept the hungry picnickers full of chicken legs and bratwursts while Josh Jones brought some safe training swords and matched with several people throughout the day, and Jeff Hillman captured the day with some unusual photos and videos. A San Diego Summer good time was had by all then many went home to rest up before heading to the theater for a night of shows. Thank you Cast Committee!

THANK YOU TO TWO BOARD MEMBERS

This month we say good-bye and a BIG THANK YOU to two of our amazing board members. Lesley Johnson, Secretary extraordinaire, and Dale Hopkins are both stepping down and handing off their duties. Board member, Josh Rowland will assume role of interim Board secretary. Thanks Josh! Thank Lesley and Dale both for their service and we all look forward to seeing them around the theater as “civilians”. 😆

WORKSHOPS

FREE INTRO WORKSHOP
There is an amazing FREE intro workshop on Tuesday, July 7 at 7pm

SLOTH IMPROV
Don’t work hard- work SLOTH! An opportunity to learn from Mockingbird Improv’s Artistic Director, Amber Largent. Her Sloth method will be taught to bring new, slower and effortless life into your improv performances. Students must have completed at least Level 3 or equivalent prior training. Learn more and register here Just SOLD OUT - waiting list available.

SCHEDULE CHANGES FOR JULY

July 2- The Acting Conservatory will join CTC for a show!
July 3 Donde Esta Walberto? Telenovela mini-series debuts
Closed for July 4th Happy 250th Birthday USA
July 13-17 Summer Camp at 12:30 pm
July 16- BIPOC JAM at 7 and Short Form Jam at 8
July 30- Special Show: To be announced soon!
July 31: Outside Group Using Space
July 31: TRIVIOKE! See details below…
Writers Wing taking month of July off - no sketch show

WAIT A SECOND- MORE OFFSITE SOCIAL FUN?

That’s right! Join your Mockingbird friends for a night of fun for no improv-related reason! We will merge the phenomena of Trivia and Karaoke Nights into one evening of shameless debauchery! Or just smart fun.

Date is July 31 when our theater will preempt its programming for a private event. Jon Barton will be Trivia Host and Karaoke Host will be Karina Montgomery. Location is TBD. More details to come…

COUNTDOWN TO CONFERENCE FUN!

As you probably know by now, Mockingbird Improv is an official theater partner of this amazing improv conference coming to San Diego this August 20-23! Please note: the theater will be closing for shows on the nights of the conference so join us in Mission Valley!

Workshop Registration Opens July 1st
The schedule is subject to change.

View the schedule and get more information and passes at their site here. Mockingbird shows performing at the conference include: Improv VS Standup, Radio ‘47 and Telenovela Improv as well as beloved local teams such as Kid Goblin, Rat City, Belle Reve, Five Guys and shows that have graced the Mockingbird stage, Inside The Improv Studio, and Tales From The Tavern. Jackie Bookstein will be leading a group for Expressive Arts and there will be two Free Intro workshops led by Mockingbird teachers, Jenn Wessels and Masha Ioffe.

SHOW YOUR MOCKINGBIRD PRIDE…the new Mockingbird Tee Shirts are here and you can purchase them right at the concession counter in the theater. Supplies are limited so make sure to grab one soon!

OPERA FANS: CHECK OUT OPERA NEO!

Opera Neo is celebrating 15 years with their 2026 Season! They are offering a 15% discount on tickets to the Mockingbird Improv community for their upcoming performances (details below). Use the code MOCKINGBIRD26 to take advantage of this special offer!

Aria Gala:

This performance introduces each young artist performing a signature aria, and is followed by a reception with the artists.

Date & Time: July 12 at 6:00pm

La Jolla Womens Club

7791 Draper Avenue, San Diego, CA 92037

Tickets & Information: https://www.operaneo.com/gala2026

Night at the Museum Recital:

In celebration of the San Diego Museum of Art’s centennial and Opera Neo’s 15th Anniversary Season, Opera Neo artists present a unique recital. This “exhibition” of art songs is curated to explore and complement some of the works of art in the museum’s galleries, spanning several centuries of art history and bridging multiple continents.

Date & Time: July 18 at 7:30pm

La Jolla Womens Club

7791 Draper Avenue, San Diego, CA 92037

Tickets & Information: https://www.operaneo.com/museum

Il Turco in Italia:

Rossini’s Il turco in Italia is a witty, self-aware comedy fueled by curiosity, attraction, and cultural collision. With this production, Opera Neo continues its beloved tradition of performing in the Spanish Village Art Center at Balboa Park.

Dates & Times: July 24 and 25 at 8:00pm

Spanish Village Arts Center | Balboa Park

1770 Village Place, San Diego, CA 92101

Tickets & Information: https://www.operaneo.com/turco

MARK YOUR CALENDARS!

ImprovCon workshop REGISTRATION OPENS Wednesday, July 1

Premiere of Donde Esta Walberto: Friday July 3rd at 7

FREE Intro Workshops: Tuesday 7/7 at 7! 🤩

SLOTH IMPROV w/ Amber Largent: Sunday July 12 10:30 am

TRIVIOKE!: Friday 7/31 7:00-10:00 PM 📆

To Donate:

Please visit our Support Page. We appreciate all donations, big or small! ♥️

All donations tax deductible. Mockingbird Improv is a dba of OTIC Theater Collective, a 501(c)3 Nonprofit • EIN 870855825

VISIT US AT
mockingbirdimprov.org