ImprovBoston Announces Staff Changes

ImprovBoston recognized its past and took a bold step toward the future this morning as the company made two big artistic announcements. Current Artistic Director Will Luera will transition to Artistic Director Emeritus and the theater is welcoming its first full-time Artistic Director, Michael Descoteaux. The transitions will begin effective October 1 and Descoteaux will begin his new position full time on January 1, 2013.

“By building on the best of ImprovBoston today, together Will and Mike are set to enhance, expand and elevate the breadth of opportunities tomorrow,” said Blair Howell, ImprovBoston’s Chair of the Board of Directors. “We are honored that Will has accepted the designation of Artistic Director Emeritus. This unprecedented title reflects Will's accomplishments in bringing ImprovBoston to national prominence, selflessly sharing his innovative style of improvisation, pioneering comedic forms, and nurturing the artistic growth of thousands of performers. We are proud that Mr. Luera will continue to call ImprovBoston ‘home.’”

Added Howell, “Mike brings over a decade of vision, dedication and experience in arts leadership at nationally recognized venues across the country. As Artistic Director, Mike will build on ImprovBoston’s strong foundation, providing increased opportunities to an ever-growing community across a wide spectrum of comedy arts. He will uphold passionately the mission of our organization, fostering an environment that showcases veteran talent, supports emerging artists, revels in risk taking and challenges our audiences to laugh, think and participate.”

Luera has been the part-time Artistic Director of ImprovBoston since 2000. As an Artistic Director Emeritus, Luera will have a permanent place at ImprovBoston. To recognize his enormous contributions to the organization, the Board of Directors has also created the position of Artistic Chair on the board. This position is a non-voting seat. This new position will give Luera a permanent home at ImprovBoston. He has the continued opportunity to hone his comedic talents and nurture other comedians while continuing to represent ImprovBoston locally and around the country.

Luera joined ImprovBoston in 1997 as a member of the ImprovBoston Mainstage and began to make a big impact on the company. Within two years he joined the TheatreSports cast and also became the director of Sitcom. In 1999, he left ImprovBoston to start his own Improvisational Theater Company, Blue Screen. In 2000, he rejoined ImprovBoston and was appointed Artistic Director. He directed the Mainstage cast until 2011. He has appeared in festivals all over the country including: Chicago Improv Festival, New York Improv Festival, Greater Boston Improv Festival, and Toyota Comedy Festival. He has studied his craft with ImprovOlympic, The Second City, The Annoyance Theater, The Upright Citizens Brigade, and Keith Johnstone. In addition to his work at ImprovBoston, Luera has taught improvisation classes to thousands of students all across the United States and the world, representing ImprovBoston, both as an institution and style of play, as far east as Japan.

“I am honored to receive the designation of Artistic Director Emeritus of ImprovBoston and look forward to working directly with the new Artistic Director on the ongoing direction and evolution of ImprovBoston, a theater that will forever be my home,” said Luera. “I also look forward to providing my input and expertise as a member of the Board of Directors. I know that my experience will provide valuable perspective when shaping the policies and decisions that are part of a growing and vibrant community like ImprovBoston.”

As Luera shifts into his new position, Michael Descoteaux comes in as ImprovBoston’s first full-time Artistic Director. In his new position, Descoteaux will set the artistic tone for weekly shows, sketch teams and improv casts, festivals, special events and ImprovBoston’s Touring Company. He will oversee the artistic quality of the Comedy School and its faculty. Descoteaux will also work with current Managing Director Zach Ward to develop solid relationships with nationally recognized instructors, scheduling IBCS Master Classes that provide artistic and comedic growth opportunities for artistic staff and students. In his new job, Descoteaux will help build awareness of ImprovBoston locally by creating artistic partnerships and outreach opportunities with other organizations in the community.

Descoteaux is currently the director of the nationally renowned Charles River School’s Creative Arts Program. He is the director of the ImprovBoston Touring Company and former head of the Music Program at The Second City Training Center. He is on the artist team for the improvised musical, One Night Only, headed Off-Broadway this fall. With The Second City in Chicago, He served as resident music director of the ETC stage and numerous performance-related ventures including the star-studded 50th anniversary. In addition to collaborating on Jefferson-award winning ETC revues, he music directed and/or created original material for a national touring company, Sex and the Second City, The Romeo and Juliet Musical at Chicago Shakespeare Theatre and the NCL Jewel’s The Best of the Second City.

He has worked with Tony Award-winning artists such as Jason Robert Brown, William Finn, Mark Hollmann, and James Lapine. Descoteaux has “composed” and “conducted” over 1,000 completely improvised musicals with Musical! The Musical, Baby Wants Candy (head music director), Diva (director) and Jazz Hands Across America (artistic director). His original musicals (Ready for Life, Sodomites!, Warfield, USA! The Fundamental Skip, The Magic Ofrenda and This Time), music direction, and playing have been heard at venues including: The Goodman, American Theatre Company, The Chicago Center for the Performing Arts, The Bailiwick, The Theatre Building, Improv Olympic, The Strawdog Theatre, The Annoyance, The Royal George, Davenport’s Cabaret, and Gentry’s. Mike has led improv workshops at festivals and judged comedy tournaments around the country. He is the director/creator of the hit satire, The Best Church of God and has been seen on NBC, CBS, A&E, and WGN. Mike, a Northwestern grad, has received a Jefferson Award, After Dark Award, a Paynter Award, and was named one of the top young songwriters in the country by the Johnny Mercer/AMTP association.

"With excitement and gratitude, I look forward to this extraordinary leadership opportunity. I am honored to represent one of the most vibrant and talented arts communities in New England,” said Descoteaux. “As Artistic Director of ImprovBoston, I will dedicate my career experience in founding and growing comedy, theater and creative arts programs around the country to shaping the future of this remarkable organization right here in my home town."

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