Maida Withers Founded the DC International Improvisaton Plus+ Festival (1991-2007).
The DC International Improvisation Festival introduces audiences to diverse approaches to improvisation as a performing art and provides artists with opportunities for networking and exchange. Over the last fourteen years the DC International Improvisation Festival has successfully presented improvisational performances in theatres and for site-specific venues throughout the Washington, DC area.

Improvising artists from DC, New York City, Europe, South America and Asia have participated. Performances have taken place at the Smithsonian Institute’s International Gallery of Art, throughout the premises of The Corcoran Gallery of Art, the Art Museum of the Americas and the OAS Garden, The George Washington University Marvin Betts Theatre, Gunston Art Center, Capitol Hill Arts Workshop, Joe’s Movement Emporium and The Hand Chapel at GW’s Mount Vernon College. Workshops are offered on various topics on two weekends.

The festival was founded by Maida Withers and later co-curated with Jim Levy, music curator, Daniel Burkholder, contact improvisation, Cyrus Khambatta, theater/dance, and Sharon Mansur, dancer. The festival has been supported, since its inception, by The George Washington University Department of Theatre and Dance and the Department of Music. Artist participation has been supported by the Goethe Institut, CECNY – Artslink, Trust for Mutual Understanding, the Embassy of France, Ford Foundation in Russia, The Royal Netherlands Embassy, DC Commission for the Arts, Maida Withers Dance Construction Company and the Phffft Company and the participating artists.