Impro is a source of joy and creativity - an interview with Wesley verhoeve

Even in places where improvised comedy and theater are popular, folks outside of impro(v) scenes tend to have limited understanding of the art form. And the communities of improvisers that make sublime events like IMPRO Amsterdam possible do amazing work on artistic fringes.

Enter Wesley Verhoeve. Wesley has been improvising since 2020 and is a member of the Amsterdam-based troupe Gang of Parrots. His artistic roots trace far beyond five years, though. He’s also a photographer and musician and the creator of the upcoming zine The Best Medicine, a collection of 101 portraits of improvisers and comedy people here in NL (and apparently one very good dog).

Here is Wesley taking photos and being very photogenic.

For Wesley, the improv community is a thriving artistic ecosystem, but not venerated - or even recognized - enough by other artists and producers in his orbit. Seeing the awesomeness all around him, he decided to change that with the upcoming zine The Best Medicine. 

Releasing on May 17th at De Balie with a party and show, The Best Medicine captures improvisers in a new light and invites folks from outside comedy and theater to see just how magical improv can be. And that’s a vision we can totally get behind at IMPRO Amsterdam. 

We sat down with Wesley to learn more about the man behind the lens and about the project itself. Onward to our chat with Wesley!

Recognize any of these faces from Amsterdam’s improvised theater, stand-up comedy, and artistic scene(s)? Check out this preview spread of the upcoming zine The Best Medicine.

IA: How would you finish the the phrase “impro(v) is?”

Wesley: A source of joy and creativity for me, that I’m deeply grateful for. 

IA: How did you get into improv?

Wesley: At the end of 2020, I had just moved from New York City to Amsterdam. The pandemic was still in full swing, and I didn’t know many people here yet. I signed up for a Boom Chicago taster class taught by Olivia Flood-Wylie (shadowed by the sparkling joy that is Jake, no last name needed), and I caught the bug immediately. It wasn’t just fun and creatively energizing, it also felt like coming home to a form of stage performance, since I have a background in music. I found the community to be warm, international, and kind, which is something I’ll always be drawn to. 

IA: How do you feel improv is perceived in your artistic community? How would you like it to be perceived?

Wesley: To be honest, I don’t think it’s perceived much at all, at least not by a wide enough audience. It still feels like a bit of a hidden bubble. A fun, thriving, highly-skilled bubble, but hidden nonetheless. The English-language improv scene in Amsterdam is strong and getting stronger. There are incredible performers, new groups forming, people touring and representing the city internationally. Boom Chicago draws solid crowds, but beyond that, improv still flies under the radar here. 

I’d love for it to be seen first at all, and then as a serious art form that brings real joy to both players and audiences. It’s indie, it’s weird (in the best way), and it’s full of talent. It’s funny, yes, but it’s also seriously good art. And it deserves more visibility, respect, and curiosity.

IA: What was the inspiration for The Best Medicine?

Wesley: Exactly what I just mentioned: the vibrant, creative, and under-celebrated English-language comedy scene in The Netherlands. It’s not just improv; it’s stand-up, short plays, writers, producers, and weird hybrids. And it’s all happening in a country where English isn’t even the first language. That’s remarkable. 

So I wanted to help tell that story. The Best Medicine is my way of contributing to the community and helping more people see it for what it is: a group of deeply creative, open-hearted people using humor to connect, express, and explore. 

The zine is designed like a beautifully printed newspaper, with portraits of 101 people from the comedy scene (plus one very photogenic dog) and stories about what comedy means to them. The stories came out of interviews done by Niharika Iyengar during our two marathon shoot days. And De Balie is a special venue. It’s usually reserved for serious cultural programming, like talks with Salman Rushdie or political thinkers. So this is us planting a flag and saying that our community belongs on that stage too. 

IA: Where can we see you next?

Wesley: My group Gang of Parrots is lining up more shows soon. But the big one is May 17th at De Balie, where we’re launching The Best Medicine at a live celebration for the whole community. Tickets are €15, and that includes a copy of The Best Medicine and a drink ticket. Come show up for each other and for what we’ve built together. There will be a show hosted by Simon Lukacs, performance by Good Eggs, Adi Parmar, Phoebe Perry, and a collection of other great improvisers from the community. Let’s show Amsterdam what we’re made of. 

That’s a lot of talent right there!