Comic relief is on the way.
The Seventh Annual Gainesville Improv Festival will run today through Saturday in the Squitieri Studio Theatre at the Phillips Center for Performing Arts.
Twenty-one improv groups, totaling about 90 performers, will perform improvisational and sketch comedy throughout the festival.
Showtimes are 8 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday with additional 10 p.m. shows on Thursday through Saturday.
Three improv groups will perform at each show.
According to the festival's website, the mission is to share the culture and tradition of the Gainesville improv comedy scene with the national improv community.
"We like to mix it up a bit," said Tom O'Donnell, one of the festival's executive producers.
The St. Louis-based group K.A.R.L. is new to the festival this year.
K.A.R.L. will perform with Chicago groups 3033 and Stacked on Saturday.
Meghan Kenny, president of K.A.R.L., said she's excited about performing and working with such an experienced group as 3033.
"I think it's the most amazing thing that's ever happened," Kenny said.
This year's festival is presented by Florida Improv, Mod 27 and Take Heed Theatre. Hilton Garden Inn is sponsoring the festival. The host this year is Brian Jaeger, associate producer and event coordinator of the Gainesville Improv Festival.
Other groups scheduled to perform are The Third Thought, of Tampa; The Apprentice Group, of Gainesville; Formal Apology, of Chicago; The WHOligans, of Orlando; and Dear Aunt Gertrude, of Tampa.
Along with the performances, the festival offers improv workshops for everyone, regardless of experience level. Notable workshop instructors include Bill Arnett, of award-winning sketch comedy group Maximum Party Zone, and Andy St. Clair, formerly of Second City Mainstage and the current host of Treasure Hunters Roadshow.
Two rounds of workshops will be offered Feb. 4.
The first round is from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., and the second round is from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Tickets for the performances are $6 for students and $8 for the general public.
Workshop tickets are $30.
Tickets are available at the Phillips Center for the Performing Arts Box Office at 315 Hull Road, by phone at either 352-392-ARTS or 800-905-ARTS and online at Ticketmaster.
