Meet Mary Quinn | Lower Left Improv co-owner

We had the good fortune of connecting with Mary Quinn and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Mary, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
The thought process behind starting our own business was all about building community around improv. Cindy and I met a few years ago. We both have extensive backgrounds in improv and some how magically ended up in a tiny mountain town together. I was in another improv group holding auditions when Cindy stepped on stage. The moment I saw her play, I knew we would be improv soulmates.

Cindy and I have a 30 year difference between us. I don’t think we would be as close as we are if it wasn’t for improv. Together, we wanted to start teaching to make more improv friends and build a community. Cindy and I started teaching at a local theater, Durango Arts Center. We started with four students in our class. Today, we have bought our own workshop space and have multiple classes going.

The process is to go slow and enjoy the community we are building. We want to lead with kindness and have people find their authentic self on stage. When we began, we were not looking to start a business but the need was expressed by our community we had gathered. We created Lower Left in 2023 and its been the absolute best time in my life. Cindy is an incredible mentor and I am so lucky to have her co-found this dream. We feel honored to have incredible students and teachers who have joined Lower Left.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I fell into theater when I was in high school. I was a bit of a prankster; I dressed up as a nun at my catholic high school homecoming and my ‘punishment’ was to be placed in theater. It was the best thing that could have happened to me. I was hooked.

I first found improv in college. I fell in love with it so much I decided to pack everything up and move to Chicago. I studied at Second City, Improv Olympics, and Annoyance theater. My goal was never to be famous, but to use improv in my teaching and performing. One of my passions is working with at-risk youth, I’ve learned that improv is an incredible tool for working with this demographic that often experiences issues like anxiety and depression.

I moved back to Durango in 2017. The goal was to start teaching improv. The challenge was that it is a tiny town and I had no idea what I was doing. It was when I met Cindy that I knew improv in our community could actually flourish. We are the perfect balance of ‘yes and…” I am one to jump right in and she is one to say ‘ go slow’. We have learned a lot of lessons in building in a tiny mountain town. We must be considerate if the balance of not wanting to over-saturate but continue slowly to build the improv community. I would want the world to know that if you lead with kindness, magic is created.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
If it was a week long we would be dining at Pop Sushi, Fired Up, Zias, and Frida’s. We would pick up some of the best coffee at Durango Coffee Company. We would attend one of the amazing Aria PettyOne Drag Shows. We would attend a Raven Narrative Story telling and get on stage with Lower Left Improv. We would be getting out into nature by driving the million dollar highway and explore all the hiking around us.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Oh man, this is a tough one because there are a lot of people who deserve a shout out. Jeff Graves, who was a part of Cindy and I’s meet cute and a wonderful teacher. Sarah Syverson for jumping into Lower Left as a contributor, teacher, and friend. Wes Ruggles for making a beautiful website and technology mentor. Tess Wisher from Durango Arts Center for trusting us and giving us our start. Melina Adduci as our go-to communications to all the Lower Left Students. Jake Riggs for supporting us at every show and nominating us for this shoutout. My beautiful partner Emma Igoe who is at every show and helping me along every step of the way. My family who is always supportive of any adventure I take on. Especially my sister Katie answering my phone calls and giving me the best jokes. I wouldn’t have my sense of humor without my amazing family. Cindy’s husband, Chris Hill and her kids. Finally, all our Lower Left Students and the Durango Community. We would not be here without you.

Website: LowerLeftimprov.com

Instagram: Lowerleftimprov

Facebook: Lower Left Improv

Image Credits
Credits for photos are Wes Ruggles and Colleen Lee