Austin Improv
Encyclopedia
Austin Improv is improvisational theater in Austin, Texas
.
In 1996, the main improv venues were The Velveeta Room, featuring Marc Pruter’s Monk’s Night Out and The ComedySportz Playhouse, featuring Les McGehee’s ComedySportz Players who were under the direction of Tyler Bryce. There was also a University of Texas troupe called Only 90% Effective directed by Victoria Osborne and Amy Blackard (now Castner). The Velveeta Room was also producing other troupes like Code Blue and Los Paranoias, directed by Pamela Ribon
and David Lampe. David Lampe was a member of Monk’s Night Out and a founding member of The Oxymorons in San Antonio. Ribon was also a member of Monks' Night Out.
That same year, 1996, Austin was put on the national improv and sketch map with the first annual Big Stinkin’ Improv Comedy Festival, which was founded by Marc Pruter and Jon Wiley. The Big Stinkin' brought troupes, teachers, and talent scouts from around the nation to Austin for several days of performances and workshops. The festival was renamed the Big Stinkin' International Improv and Sketch Comedy Festival (BS2) in 1997. Big Stinkin' played some of the biggest venues in town over the years, from the Paramount to Palmer Auditorium. Marc Pruter and Jon Wiley handed the festival over to Ed Carter after BS2, and they later created the Bad Dog Comedy Theater with Anna Bartkowski, Matt Sadler, and Matt Bearden.
In 1998, Sean Hill and David Lampe hosted auditions for “Austin Theatresports
,” In late 1998, Sean started work on a new improv venue, theater, and coffeehouse called The Hideout.
Around this time, The Hideout, The Velveeta Room, The Bad Dog Comedy Theater, The ComedySportz Playhouse, and even Capital City Comedy Club and Esther’s Follies would host improv from time to time. Improv troupes of this era include “Austin Theatresports,” “ComedySportz,” “Monk’s Night Out,” “Well Hung Jury,” "The Blah Blah Train," "Squid Royale," “Code Blue,” “The Cheese Pistols,” "The Murky Doors," “Ray Prewitt
’s 4th Grade Class,” “Fatbuckle,” “The Skinnies,” “The Inflatable Egos,” “Only 90% Effective,” and more. Big Stinkin’ Improv and Sketch Comedy Festival was on the rise and in its final year included big-name headliners.
In 2000, the Hideout officially opened at 617 Congress Avenue. Sean Hill and Shana Merlin
directed the house troupe, called We Could Be Heroes, and opened the We Could Be Heroes School of Improvisational Theatre, whose curriculum is based on the teachings of Keith Johnstone
.
The Big Stinkin' Improv Festival folded in 2000 due to financial mismanagement. The early 2000s also saw the closing of the Bad Dog Comedy Theater (posthumously named Best Comedy Club in the Austin Chronicle Readers' Poll) and Les McGehee's ComedySportz
space at the Northcross Mall. During this time, We Could Be Heroes changed its name to The Heroes of Comedy.
In 2002, Jeremy Lamb and his troupe Well Hung Jury founded the Out of Bounds Improv Festival
and Mini-Golf Tournament. Every year since the festival has grown. The Out of Bounds Festival happens every Labor Day weekend and is a full week of improv, sketch, parties, and workshops.
Since 2005, the Austin Improv scene has moved to an independent troupe-based performance paradigm. That year, Andy Crouch created the Austin Improv Collective with the goal of facilitating more improv in Austin and growing the local community. The year 2005 also marked the arrival of members of the troupe The Frank Mills (formerly Tight), who brought the training style of Improv Olympic to Austin. In October 2006, New Orleans improv troupe ColdTowne opened the ColdTowne Theater and Conservatory on Airport Blvd, creating a new local venue for comedy as well as a conservatory in improv and sketch comedy
writing. In March 2008 the Merlin Works Institute for Improvisation and Gnap! Theater Projects began teaching classes and performing shows at the Salvage Vanguard Theater. In 2009 The New Movement
opened and began teaching all disciplines of comedy
including improv, sketch comedy, stand-up comedy
and pro comedy writing. As of 2009, the Austin Improv Collective roster includes over thirty troupes and counting.
In 2009 three improvisers; Roy Janik, Kareem Badr, and Jessica Arjet took over management of the Hideout Theatre. Arjet brought her children's improv program, The Flying Theater Machine, to the Hideout program. The Hideout is known for offering high concept, format driven improv with a strong emphasis on visual aesthetics. In addition, the Hideout has spots for troupes from any theater in Austin to play on Thursday and Sunday nights. The Flying Theater Machine also offers children's shows on Sundays and children's classes.
Austin improv is notable for its convergence of many different improvisational schools and styles. Improvisers can choose to study in the style of Keith Johnstone through the Hideout and Merlin Works, or the Chicago style at the ColdTowne Conservatory or The New Movement
. Les McGehee continues to offer ComedySportz at Cafe Caffeine.
Austin, Texas
Austin is the capital city of the U.S. state of :Texas and the seat of Travis County. Located in Central Texas on the eastern edge of the American Southwest, it is the fourth-largest city in Texas and the 14th most populous city in the United States. It was the third-fastest-growing large city in...
.
History
In 1990, the main comedy venues—which also hosted improv—were the Laff Stop and the Velveeta Room. The Laff Stop was home to the Laff Staff, which was under the direction of Chris Bonno, while the Velveeta Room featured the Cheese Pistols under the direction of Amos Ewing. Les McGehee and Erik Christianson revived ComedySportz Austin, which performed at Olive's Pizza Place. The Cheese Pistols, who performed on Wednesday nights, were made up of a blend of local stand-ups, members of Esther's Follies, a few members of ComedySportz, and a random guy named Charlie Stites. It is also worth noting that the Velveeta was still in its original location. Deb Downing and Martin Garcia were both members of ComedySportz and the Cheese Pistols. They later went on to Second City Chicago's mainstage troupe. Les McGehee also produced a regional improv festival known as the SouthWest Improv Festival of Texas (SWIFT).In 1996, the main improv venues were The Velveeta Room, featuring Marc Pruter’s Monk’s Night Out and The ComedySportz Playhouse, featuring Les McGehee’s ComedySportz Players who were under the direction of Tyler Bryce. There was also a University of Texas troupe called Only 90% Effective directed by Victoria Osborne and Amy Blackard (now Castner). The Velveeta Room was also producing other troupes like Code Blue and Los Paranoias, directed by Pamela Ribon
Pamela Ribon
Pamela Ribon is an American author, screenwriter and actress.Also known as Pamie, Pop Culture Princess and Wonder Killer, she runs the website...
and David Lampe. David Lampe was a member of Monk’s Night Out and a founding member of The Oxymorons in San Antonio. Ribon was also a member of Monks' Night Out.
That same year, 1996, Austin was put on the national improv and sketch map with the first annual Big Stinkin’ Improv Comedy Festival, which was founded by Marc Pruter and Jon Wiley. The Big Stinkin' brought troupes, teachers, and talent scouts from around the nation to Austin for several days of performances and workshops. The festival was renamed the Big Stinkin' International Improv and Sketch Comedy Festival (BS2) in 1997. Big Stinkin' played some of the biggest venues in town over the years, from the Paramount to Palmer Auditorium. Marc Pruter and Jon Wiley handed the festival over to Ed Carter after BS2, and they later created the Bad Dog Comedy Theater with Anna Bartkowski, Matt Sadler, and Matt Bearden.
In 1998, Sean Hill and David Lampe hosted auditions for “Austin Theatresports
Theatresports
Theatresports is a form of improvisational theatre, which uses the format of a competition for dramatic effect. Opposing teams can perform scenes based on audience suggestions, with ratings by the audience or by a panel of judges...
,” In late 1998, Sean started work on a new improv venue, theater, and coffeehouse called The Hideout.
Around this time, The Hideout, The Velveeta Room, The Bad Dog Comedy Theater, The ComedySportz Playhouse, and even Capital City Comedy Club and Esther’s Follies would host improv from time to time. Improv troupes of this era include “Austin Theatresports,” “ComedySportz,” “Monk’s Night Out,” “Well Hung Jury,” "The Blah Blah Train," "Squid Royale," “Code Blue,” “The Cheese Pistols,” "The Murky Doors," “Ray Prewitt
Ray Prewitt
Ray Prewitt is an American actor, producer, and aircraft broker. He is a graduate of Texas A&M University where he interned in the genetics lab at the veterinary school's exotic animal clinic and was a crew chief for the now infamous Aggie Bonfire. Ray is never seen on stage or screen without his...
’s 4th Grade Class,” “Fatbuckle,” “The Skinnies,” “The Inflatable Egos,” “Only 90% Effective,” and more. Big Stinkin’ Improv and Sketch Comedy Festival was on the rise and in its final year included big-name headliners.
In 2000, the Hideout officially opened at 617 Congress Avenue. Sean Hill and Shana Merlin
Shana Merlin
Shana Merlin is an American actor, comedian and writer. She was born and raised in Atlanta, Georgia where she first started improvising at the age of 16 at Dad's Garage Theatre Company...
directed the house troupe, called We Could Be Heroes, and opened the We Could Be Heroes School of Improvisational Theatre, whose curriculum is based on the teachings of Keith Johnstone
Keith Johnstone
Keith Johnstone is a drama instructor whose teachings and books have focused on improvisational theatre and have had a major influence on the art of improvisation.-Education:...
.
The Big Stinkin' Improv Festival folded in 2000 due to financial mismanagement. The early 2000s also saw the closing of the Bad Dog Comedy Theater (posthumously named Best Comedy Club in the Austin Chronicle Readers' Poll) and Les McGehee's ComedySportz
ComedySportz
ComedySportz is an improvisational comedy organization started in 1984 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, by a group of local comedians including Dick Chudnow, Bob Orvis, Brian Green and many others.-Format:...
space at the Northcross Mall. During this time, We Could Be Heroes changed its name to The Heroes of Comedy.
In 2002, Jeremy Lamb and his troupe Well Hung Jury founded the Out of Bounds Improv Festival
Out of Bounds Improv Festival
The Out of Bounds Improv Festival and Mini-Golf Tournament is a week-long festival of improvisational theater and sketch comedy that takes place every Labor Day weekend in Austin, Texas...
and Mini-Golf Tournament. Every year since the festival has grown. The Out of Bounds Festival happens every Labor Day weekend and is a full week of improv, sketch, parties, and workshops.
Since 2005, the Austin Improv scene has moved to an independent troupe-based performance paradigm. That year, Andy Crouch created the Austin Improv Collective with the goal of facilitating more improv in Austin and growing the local community. The year 2005 also marked the arrival of members of the troupe The Frank Mills (formerly Tight), who brought the training style of Improv Olympic to Austin. In October 2006, New Orleans improv troupe ColdTowne opened the ColdTowne Theater and Conservatory on Airport Blvd, creating a new local venue for comedy as well as a conservatory in improv and sketch comedy
Sketch comedy
A sketch comedy consists of a series of short comedy scenes or vignettes, called "sketches," commonly between one and ten minutes long. Such sketches are performed by a group of comic actors or comedians, either on stage or through an audio and/or visual medium such as broadcasting...
writing. In March 2008 the Merlin Works Institute for Improvisation and Gnap! Theater Projects began teaching classes and performing shows at the Salvage Vanguard Theater. In 2009 The New Movement
The New Movement
The New Movement is a comedy theater and training center in Austin, Texas focusing on long form improv and sketch comedy writing. The theater is owned and operated by Chris Trew and Tami Nelson. The theater opened for classes in February 2009 and began running shows on January 13th 2010. The...
opened and began teaching all disciplines of comedy
Comedy
Comedy , as a popular meaning, is any humorous discourse or work generally intended to amuse by creating laughter, especially in television, film, and stand-up comedy. This must be carefully distinguished from its academic definition, namely the comic theatre, whose Western origins are found in...
including improv, sketch comedy, stand-up comedy
Stand-up comedy
Stand-up comedy is a comedic art form. Usually, a comedian performs in front of a live audience, speaking directly to them. Their performances are sometimes filmed for later release via DVD, the internet, and television...
and pro comedy writing. As of 2009, the Austin Improv Collective roster includes over thirty troupes and counting.
In 2009 three improvisers; Roy Janik, Kareem Badr, and Jessica Arjet took over management of the Hideout Theatre. Arjet brought her children's improv program, The Flying Theater Machine, to the Hideout program. The Hideout is known for offering high concept, format driven improv with a strong emphasis on visual aesthetics. In addition, the Hideout has spots for troupes from any theater in Austin to play on Thursday and Sunday nights. The Flying Theater Machine also offers children's shows on Sundays and children's classes.
Austin improv is notable for its convergence of many different improvisational schools and styles. Improvisers can choose to study in the style of Keith Johnstone through the Hideout and Merlin Works, or the Chicago style at the ColdTowne Conservatory or The New Movement
The New Movement
The New Movement is a comedy theater and training center in Austin, Texas focusing on long form improv and sketch comedy writing. The theater is owned and operated by Chris Trew and Tami Nelson. The theater opened for classes in February 2009 and began running shows on January 13th 2010. The...
. Les McGehee continues to offer ComedySportz at Cafe Caffeine.