In 2011, Southern RI’s Contemporary Theater Company began an improv program, under the guidance of then-resident artist Ryan Hartigan.

At first, a troupe of the company’s improvisers (myself among them) performed under the name Thank You! Improv. I synthesized a brand, inspired by our off-kilter performance style (our slogan was “We hope you’re happy”) and by the bizarre world of our scenes.

Promotional images for a spring show saw the birth of what would become our mascot, a baby chick with a cat head. I would later produce a vector logo based on this image for the group’s use.

Though Thank You! Improv is no longer active, the catchick is still in use by the company, in promotion of its current improv series, Micetro Improv. Merchandise featuring the critter is available at the theater’s ticket desk.