In the latest addition of youthful energy to the corner of Euclid and Washington, The Improv Shop has joined Evangeline's Bistro & Music Hall and TechArtista (a co-working space soon-to-open around the corner).
From the time The Improv Shop, an improvisational comedy theater and training center, was founded in 2009, partners CWEnder Kevin McKernan and Andy Sloey taught classes and held performances in borrowed spaces – a room over a bar in Dogtown and, until recently, the lower level at Brennan's on Maryland Avenue. The founders' dream and that of their 160 students to find a permanent home came true on February 22 when doors opened at a new theater/classroom space they've created at 510 N. Euclid.
The Improv Shop's blog, "Talking Shop," tells the story:
"If you don’t know the backstory, the theater was funded 100 percent by the students. There were no lines of credit taken out. No loans. Since its inception, The Improv Shop saved all of the tuition money generated from the training center in hopes that someday, all the students, performers, and audience would have a theater to call home. On Thursday, that dream came to fruition. The doors opened and the lights came on. We were home."
Photo courtesy of The Improv Shop
St. Louis native Kevin McKernan, above, earned a degree in education at Indiana University, and while there served as both actor & director of the improv and sketch troupe. He spent a summer interning at Second City, and then moved to Chicago after graduation. He studied with the best in the art form there, and after moving back to St. Louis taught improvisation to students of all ages at the neighborhood's St. Louis Actors' Studio, Washington University, Stages St. Louis, St. Louis University and more.
Photo courtesy of The Improv Shop
Andy Sloey, above, is an adjunct professor at Webster University's Conservatory of Theater Arts. He holds a BFA in performance from the Conservatory, and is a graduate of both the iO Training Center and Second City Conservatory in Chicago. More on Andy Sloey and other instructors who teach at The Improv Shop can be found here.
There was a packed house on opening night, photo above and following. The Improv Shop is currently holding performances on Monday and Thursday evenings, doors open at 7, performances at 8. Admission is $5, free for Improv Shop students and performers. Towards the end of March The Improv Shop will be open Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays & Fridays. Classes are held on the weekends.
When I asked Kevin who's motivated to take improv classes this is how he replied: "People take classes for all sorts of reasons – some for business or theater skills, others because it sounds like fun and they know it's the same skill set as the folks on Saturday Night Live and most sitcoms." Kevin continued that regardless of how the students come to The Improv Shop they stay, because the community is so kind, cool and welcoming.
Those who've studied at The Improv Shop have gone on to perform in local sketch groups or begun to try their hand performing in other cities. Some have simply gone outside of improv in St. Louis and performed stand-up or sketch comedy.
Former student and current performer Alex Ringhausen, left, is shown with Kevin McKernan, right.
There is a full bar at The Improv Shop, above.
When you attend a performance at The Improv Shop expect to see teams of improvisers perform whatever their imagination allows. Each show contains at least 3 sets lasting 25 minutes each.
As Kevin explained it, you don't need experience to be part of improvisational theater. A willingness to learn, to share yourself, to be vulnerable, to be kind and supportive of other people is all that is needed. Kevin and Andy think their training program is stellar and while they take what they do seriously, they think that comedy is actually a "red herring," and that improv actually makes you a better person, the kind of person most humans are hoping to be. With this as its mission statement, how can The Improv Shop miss?
The Improv Shop, 510 N. Euclid, performances Mondays and Thursdays until the end of March when showtimes will include Tuesdays and Fridays too. Doors open at 7, performances at 8, $5 admission, cash bar. For information on classes, check the website.
Yes it is all amazing, especially the cast of characters. Shall we give it a try?
Sign me up! Seriously, Nicki, this is amazing!