jonathan

Jonathan celebrates his birthday today. Happy Birthday, captain.

Somewhere along the way a very shy guy became the main motivator, the main instigator, the main man at the wheel of the Impromaniacs.

Top ten words heard in recent conversation used to describe Jonathan Argue:

– nice
– sweet
– shy
– funny
– shy
– modest
– quiet… usually
– supportive
– positive
– shy

‘Fearless’ and ‘commander’ do not appear in the top ten and yet there he is, not only every Tuesday but with the lion’s portion of his free time that isn’t already devoted to his well-behaved kids.

Without Jonathan there would be no annual improv festival. We’d want to do it, for sure. These things are enormously rewarding in so many ways. But would it actually get done? It’s eight months work without pay, true story, requiring ruthless dedication and tireless commitment. And patient but firm leadership. So I don’t know. Maybe. I do know that Jonathan has manned the helm two years’ running for a festival that has entertained a few thousand people.

But that’s the stuff you get medals for. The headline stuff. Jonny appreciates it, for sure. It’s well earned and probably not enough besides.

He has quietly managed the Impromaniacs for years, sometimes single-handedly. Every week a rag-tag assortment of amateur actors and repressed rockstars has a place to go vent. Creatively. Cooperatively. It means something to me that I have this outlet. And while we might manage to get by without him I have no doubt that because of him we are a closer, more supportive and tightly knit company right now than we would be without him.

Every ship needs a rudder. Every castle needs a cornerstone. Jonathan is ours.

Thanks.