HUGE Improv Theater recently made the very sad decision to permanently close at the end of October, due to mounting financial challenges. The announcement comes just over a year after we relocated to a new $2.4 million home on Lyndale Avenue. The move was filled with unexpected expenses, including $250,000 to relocate its heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning system as mandated by the city of Minneapolis, as well as the sudden loss of a tenant and two key employees.
A very ugly reality is that it costs a lot of money to dissolve a nonprofit. It is hard to get excited about making a donation now, we know. However, your charitable contribution will make these next six weeks a little sunnier as we ride into the sunset after a life-changing community-building industry-innovating heck of a fifteen-year run.
If you have it in your heart and wallet to make a donation to help us pay debts and cover payroll, here is a link to our GiveMN campaign.
https://www.givemn.org/story/Cz6u0f
Our Venmo is@HUGE-Theater
Thank you for the last 15 years.
Thank you for today.
Thank you for the beautiful things you will create in the future.
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!