Winnipesaukee Playhouse to host ImprovOlympics fundraiser

MEREDITH — The Winnipesaukee Playhouse is bringing back its fundraising event, ImprovOlympics. This one night only special event is an evening of improvisational comedy to benefit not only the Playhouse but four other area nonprofits as well.

Teams from the Greater Lakes Region Children’s Auction, Castle in the Clouds, P.E.O. (Philanthropic Educational Organization), and the Northern New England American Red Cross will compete in the style of the TV show “Who’s Line is it Anyway?” to win laughs and votes. Audience members will have the opportunity to vote with their wallet (cash or check) for their favorite nonprofit and 100% of proceeds from the voting will go directly to the participating nonprofits. 

The four nonprofit organizations participating this year have varied, but important, missions. The Greater Lakes Region Children’s Auction engages the community to financially support local children and families in need. The Castle Preservation Society, which oversees Castle in the Clouds, has a mission to preserve, interpret and share the buildings and landscape of the Castle in the Clouds as a cultural and educational resource for the benefit of the public. 

P.E.O. is a sisterhood of women who are purposeful and passionate about celebrating, supporting, and motivating women. Their mission is to help women around the world advance through education. The Northern New England Red Cross serves communities throughout Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont. The organization is a vital community lifeline, acting in response to a wide array of emergencies, ranging from single-family home fires to large-scale natural disasters like hurricanes or floods.

Last year’s event raised over $5,000 for the four participating nonprofits through the generosity of a full house which came together to laugh and support the local community.

The event will take place on Saturday, Oct. 18, at 7:30 p.m. For more information visit winnipesaukeeplayhouse.org.