HUGE Improv Theater, an artist-led organization dedicated to supporting the Twin Cities improv community through performance and education, will permanently close at the end of October.
The nonprofit’s board made the difficult decision due to ongoing funding challenges, noting that a recent open letter raising concerns about diversity on HUGE’s stage did not drive its decision. Rather, HUGE has reached an unsustainable financial position and there simply isn’t a viable way forward.
“Our struggle to find sufficient stable funding in no way diminishes the amazing work that HUGE has produced and supported over the years, and more importantly the diverse and enthusiastic community it has fostered,” said Amy Derwinski, HUGE’s board chair. “We know work still lies ahead to ensure that improv in the Twin Cities is truly a space for everyone, and we look to our community to continue these vital and challenging conversations.”
HUGE plans to run its September and October shows as scheduled, and to complete its fall term classes. All activities beyond that point are canceled. Community members are encouraged to attend these final weeks of performances and celebrate HUGE Improv Theater to the fullest extent possible.
photo by Justine Myers
This past week the board of HUGE Improv Theater learned about the resignation of two of our valued employees. We are grateful to them both for their years of dedication to making HUGE Improv Theater the vibrant community it is today.
The role of the board is to focus on the vision and long-term viability of HUGE Improv Theater to ensure that anyone – regardless of race, age, gender, orientation or financial status – has a safe space to perform and enjoy improv. That is why HUGE was created almost two decades ago.
The board is committed to identifying the concerns and details surrounding the professional conflict on staff, execution of job duties and addressing the issues brought forward by our DEI director. We are in the process of developing a plan to ensure we reflect our ideal that improv is for everyone.
The cast for KaBAAM! The Improvised Comic Book is here!
- Bhanu Shri
- Brandon R. Kim
- Destiny Davison - artist/improviser
- Dorian Beal
- Jex Arzayus
- Josh Levitt
- Justin Betancourt
- Kezia Florence
- Laura Hild
- Linc Owens
- Mahmoud Hakima
- Will Schroeder - artist/improviser
Co-Directors: Alexis Camille and Becky Hauser
Saving the day on Fridays at 9:00p in September and October!
Wednesday, June 12
7pm :: PattyCakes, Again & Again, Sympathetic Magic, Your Co-Workers Improv Show
Thursday, June 13
7pm :: DillyDallHaus, Babe Train, Hot Pot
8:30pm :: Foul Play, Jane Austin Improv (Austin, TX)
9:30pm :: Give The Drummer Some, Drum Machine
10:30pm :: The Life Robotic, Blackout
Friday, June 14th
7pm :: Solovela (Plantation, FL), poems for each other, Bryan vs Music (Portland, OR)
8:30pm :: the Shrieking Harpies, Hey Handsome (New York, NY)
9:30pm :: Attenborough, Mockumentary Now (Denver, CO)
10:30pm :: Ross & Susannah, MAYHEM, Flava Flavor Flavour (Chicago, IL)
Saturday, June 15th
6pm :: Jorts presents A Snowy Kiss
7pm :: Melk (Baltimore, MA), EckBerger, JokYr & Jessster (SLC, UT)
8:30pm :: The Mess, THE BOYS (Chicago, IL)
9:30pm :: Darth Hogbeaf, Magical Lying Hour (Houston, TX)
Sunday, June 16th
7pm :: Adorable, 20,000 Leagues Under The Telltale Heart, Two’s Company, No Fear Shakesqueer
A note from Becky, the Artistic Director:
First, a thank you to everyone that proposed a show. During the application window HUGE received more than 90 show proposals total with an incredible amount of talent represented. The selection process is never easy and this season that’s never been more true. For those that missed it, HUGE's Artistic team recently published our thoughts on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) in casting here. Our renewed focus on DEI, specifically as it relates to racial diversity, informed many of the decisions we made about the upcoming line up. The result is the most racially diverse season that HUGE has seen. The proposals are excellent; the talent pool is immense. From an artistic standpoint we’re in for some amazing new work.
A part of creating that line up was allowing for a shift in how stage time is allocated. You may notice that two long time favorites, The Beards and The Mess, will not be doing extended runs. I want to be clear - this change is the result of our ongoing efforts to become more intentional about who is getting stage time and how that impacts our growth as a community. Both The Beards and The Mess are well loved and respected. We owe them many thanks for the work they do at HUGE. I want to extend my personal appreciation for their support as our stage evolves and grows.
On a separate note, there’s a new HUGE show in the works! Starting in September, HUGE will present Throwback Thursdays! Like Throwback Night, this show will bring new life to a classic improv form. Unlike Throwback Night, the show will run from September through February, giving the cast lots of opportunity for consistent reps on stage. This show will hold auditions; it is intended to be an opportunity for improvisers with a significant amount of experience to challenge themselves in a group of strong performers. The Director and Assistant Director for this show have not been selected. HUGE will open applications for the job shortly.
Finally, if you’re looking at this schedule and wondering about getting on stage, HUGE shows (KaBAAM, Off Book and Throwback Thursdays) as well as The Improvised Twilight Zone, Family Dinner and An Errand will be auditioning. Note that Star Trek will not be holding auditions so that the Season 2 cast has an opportunity to reprise their roles after a run full of last minute changes and challenges last year. HUGE is committed to auditioning all HUGE produced shows; this is a rare exception due to the unique circumstances behind our move.
and with that - here it is - CHECK OUT THIS LINE UP!
September and October
Wednesdays
- A Sketch Show (Will Schroeder, Chris Rodriguez, Destiny Davison)
- Pinky Swear (Erin Kennedy, Michael Dallavalle)
- Party Slice (Ensemble)
- When Harold Met Sally (Casey Martin, Nels Lennes)
Fridays
- 7:30 - The Bearded Company presents Swords and Sorcery
- 9:00 - KaBAAM! The Improvised Comic Book (A HUGE production directed by Alexis Camille and Becky Hauser)
- 10:00 - The Doldrums (Directed and produced by Britt Johnson)
Saturdays
- 7:30p - Star Trek: The Next Improvisation (A HUGE production directed by Maria Bartholdi and Laura Berger)
- 9:00p - The Improvised Twilight Zone (Directed by Neco Pacheaco and produced by Ruben Gomez)
- 10:00p - Soaprov (Directed by Jex Arzayus)
November and December
Wednesdays
- An Errand (Directed by Julie Censullo and Erik Ostrom)
- Sitzprov (Laura Berger, Chris Rodriguez)
- Again & Again & Company (Ensemble)
- Britt and Dorian (Britt Johnson, Dorian Beal)
Fridays
- 7:30p - Family Dinner (Directed by Molly Ritchie)
- 9:00p - Sad Songs for Happy People (By Hannah Wydeven)
- 10:00 - ComedySportz presents - A Christmas Carol: Unscripted (Directed by Bradley Machov, Meghan Wolff and Doug Ocar)
Saturdays
- 7:30p - Family Dinner (Directed by Molly Ritchie)
- 9:00p - The Life Robotic (Directed by John Hilsen)
- 10:00 - Inside the Improviser’s Studio (Directed and produced by Angelique Lisboa)
January/February
Wednesdays
- HappyTown! The Musical (Directed by Justin Betancourt)
- Scraps (Ari Newman, Karyn Wilson)
- Strangers No More (By Jada Pulley)
- Five Man Job (Butch Roy, Nels Lennes, Lauren Anderson)
Fridays
- 7:30p - Blackout presents Shakespeare (Directed by John Gebretatose)
- 9:00p - Attenborough (Directed by Rita Boersma)
- 10:00p - Duck and Dolly Draw and Do Stuff (Duck Washington, Destiny Davison)
Saturdays
- 7:30p - Off Book (A HUGE production directed by Sean Dillon and Isabella Dunsieth)
- 9:00p - The Mess
- 10:00p - The Improv Movement Project (Directed by Sean Dillon and Mark Benzel)
Ongoing -
- Throwback Thursdays (Director TBA)
- Bring Your Kids! (Directed by Jen Scott) - second Saturday of the month
- Come Along! An Improvised Dress Up Musical! (Directed by Becky Hauser) - first Saturday of the month starting in January 2025