Annie Barry has an uncanny ability to make everyone feel welcome and included. Maybe that’s why she was the perfect person to start Bandit Theater. In the process, Annie has worked to create a rich improv community, bringing up new improvisers and giving them the chance to shine. She’s also an insanely talented improviser who performs in a number of Bandit shows, acts and even dabbles in gardening. In case you’re wondering, she did not write this description of herself.
Who are you, where are you from and how long have you been doing improv?
My name is Annie Barry, I was born in San Francisco, California. I started doing improv at UCB Theater in NYC in 2009.
How did you first get involved in Bandit Theater?
I founded Bandit in 2018 after working across the country at other theaters.
What drew you to improv?
I was obsessed with SNL as a kid and figured it was a route to get there.
Is Bandit a cult? Regardless of your answer, what should the uniform be?
Ohhh no! I hope not! I think Bandit is a safe community space for people to be wacky, speak from the seed of their truth, and make people laugh. But if we had uniforms, I would say it would be Vermillion with the Bandie Skull on it.
How would you describe your improv style?
I try to be a bit of everything. A big character that has smart moves, rooted in emotion but always looking to clarify the game, heighten and explore. Currently, my big obsession is second beats where we build a world and things collide.
Aside from “yes, and”, what’s your next number 1 rule of improv?
Love your scene partner. Even if you disagree, find love between the two of you.
Pineapple on pizza—yay or nay? Defend your opinion!
Good lord no. The sweetness, it's too sweet. My teeth are falling out just thinking about it.
Alive or dead, who’s your dream improvising partner?
I would have loved to improvise with Marilyn Monore. I think she was very funny. Or maybe Einstein. The three of us would do an incredible monoscene.
What do you do for fun, aside from improv?
I love to garden, and I just got a new hula hoop and I'm learning some new tricks.
What’s your favorite thing about the Seattle improv community?
It's a community full of sweet, sweet, sweeties!
Do you ever experience “Flow State” during improv? If you do, can you describe what it feels like to you?
Yes! I love that feeling. It's like the audience disappears and you are just totally in the moment. It's like that scene in Inception where Elliot Page is shown the inside of the dreams, and how they architect them. I feel the setting just appear around me and I am totally immersed in the moment.