The Light Fingered Five is a Portland-based improvisational (improv) comedy theater group. Actors in improvisation must react to what is happening “in the moment” and build the story from that point forward. There is no script or pre-designed plot and there are no mistakes, whatever any actor does at any time creates a new reality.

    So if a scene takes place in a corporate board room, and a character walks in and announces that he is a talking bear, then there is now a talking bear in the board room. He may be delivering peanut butter and honey sandwiches, or he may be the company's new CEO, but whatever happens to him, whatever he does, he has become part of the reality of the show.

    Most improv groups also include the audience in the creation of whatever reality it may be, asking them for story suggestions or inviting them to take part in some way. In improv, everyone has an opportunity to be part of the creative process.

    Unless a real bear shows up, in which case all bets are off and it's every man, woman, or child for themselves.