05/28/2026
Our festival has faced its share of production hurdles over the past decade, but never one quite like this.
Earlier this month, co-founder and executive producer Justin Peters was diagnosed with brain cancer. To say we are reeling is an understatement.
So much is unknown right now, but what *is* known is that our production team, together with Kelly and Justin, has decided to move ahead as planned with the 10th annual Countdown Improv Festival on August 5-9, 2026 in Tampa. It sounds cliche to say it, but this festival and its community has never been more needed or important than it is right now.
We're confident that this year's Countdown will be our best one ever. We also know it has to look different, with Kelly and Justin focusing their energies this summer on Justin's treatment, health, and well-being, and not on the many logistics that make this massive event go. That's where our amazing team comes in.
We need your donations to help fill a budget gap, to support our team, and to ensure that we can focus on quality time and not on fundraising. The outpouring we've seen this week has been nothing short of astonishing, and if you've given already, thank you so much from the bottom of our hearts.
We'll see you in August. More updates from us very soon.
Onward, with love and excitement,
Kelly, Justin, and the Countdown production team
https://fundrazr.com/countdown2026
