Barry Wright III
Download MP3In this episode of The Truth In The Art, the guest is Barry Wright III!
Who is Barry Wright III: Baltimore-based improviser, teacher, technology professional, and co-founder (and current board president) of Highwire Improv, launched in 2020. You might remember Barry from his first appearance on The Truth In The Art here.
In our conversation, Wright talks about Highwire's origin during the 2020 lockdown, building an improv community in Highlandtown, and making improv financially accessible and sustainable. As he puts it, improv "can be done with absolutely no materials. You truly only need other human beings and space. Chairs are optional."
He recalls launching 55 teams from across the world and running shows seven nights a week, all online. We dig into experimenting with programming like dinner-and-a-show, drop-in nights, worker-owned cooperative values, and how collaboration and feedback shape the evolving theater—all rooted in creating inclusive, community-driven arts programming that supports practitioners and connects audiences.
For updates, visit https://highwireimprov.com/ Shows at Highwire Improv, 400 South Conklin Street, Baltimore.
Photo courtesy of subject
The Truth In This Art is supported by William G. Baker, Jr. Memorial Fund, the Maryland State Arts Council's Creativity Grant and Mayor's Individual Artist Award - Creative Baltimore Fund (Baltimore).
Host: Rob Lee
Music: Original music by Daniel Alexis Music with additional music from Chipzard and TeTresSeis.
Production:
- Produced by Rob Lee & Daniel Alexis
- Edited by Daniel Alexis
- Show Notes courtesy of Rob Lee and Transistor
Photos:
- Rob Lee photos by Vicente Martin for The Truth In This Art and Contrarian Aquarian Media.
- Guest photos courtesy of the guest, unless otherwise noted.
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Creators and Guests
Host
Rob Lee
The Truth In This Art is an interview series featuring artists, entrepreneurs and tastemakers in & around Baltimore.
Guest
Barry Wright III
Barry Wright III is an improviser, teacher, and technology professional. He is a co-founder and President of the Board of Highwire Improv, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization whose mission is to steward a community of artists committed to growth, collaboration, joy, and justice — in Baltimore and around the world — through improvisational theater. Highwire Improv produces shows, classes, free workshops, community events, and corporate training programs for individuals and teams
Guest
Barry Wright, III
Barry Wright (he/him) is an improviser, teacher, non-profit leader, and technology professional. Since 2020, Barry has served as President of the Board and co-founder of Highwire Improv, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization whose mission is to steward a community of artists committed to growth, collaboration, joy, and justice — in Baltimore and around the world — through improvisational theater. Highwire Improv produces shows, classes, free workshops, community events, and corporate training programs for individuals and teams. Barry regularly teaches, performs, and leads corporate events. As a performer, Barry has trained in improv since 2017, including at Highwire Improv, Baltimore Improv Group, Hoopla Impro, and through countless festivals and online workshops. He performs widely with groups including Improv Jeoparty, Topiary, Important Screws, Whatever This Is, Sandcats, and Dreamweaver. In his ‘work’ life Barry currently serves as Chief of Staff at Noom, whose mission is to help people everywhere lead healthier lives through behavior change. Prior to this, Barry led product management for Spotify's Content Integrity team, building solutions for trust, safety, and copyright management. Barry also led product teams at Videology, a Baltimore-based adtech startup that was acquired by Amobee in 2018. He volunteers with the Maryland Department of Commerce, Johns Hopkins Tech Ventures, StarTUp Towson, was a 2018 Bowe Fellow with the Baltimore World Trade Center Institute, and has been a featured speaker at Duke University, Loyola University, Product School, and the Trust and Safety Collective. Barry holds a Bachelor of Science degree in mathematics from Duke University and lives with his wife and three cats in Baltimore, Maryland. He is always happy to chat about improv.
