I worked as general manager, booking agent, and web master for Relapse Theatre for almost three years (April 2008 through January 2011). In that time also directed or hosted a couple shows every month and performed in 2 to 4 shows every week. As booking agent, I frequently scheduled film and play auditions at Relapse. It was a busy place with a great vibe.
When I left, the production schedule boasted a dozen live shows every week, including improv comedy, stand-up comedy, plus special events throughout the month. Performance spaces included a 24-seat cinema (which I designed and built), a 60-seat black-box studio, a 1700 s.f. cabaret plus full bar, and a 3000 s.f. ballroom for special events. At various times over a dozen performance troupes were in residence at Relapse. Many were made up of graduates of the JaCKPie acting school that was in residence.
In 2010 we celebrated the completion a 6-month facility renovation adding point-of-sales systems, new bathrooms, handicap access, and a new fire safety system. And, on November 19th, we officially became an 18-and-over club with the opening of a full bar. Coincidentally, but fittingly, that was a night that my home troupe of five years, 2 Girls 3 Eyes, was performing.
Relapse Theatre in the News
Blog search by Google
2008 article in Atlanta-Journal Constitution
2008 Best Live Comedy by Cityvoter
2008 City’s Best Comedy Club by AOL
2007 Best New Trend in the Arts by Creative Loafing
2006 RedEye Vibe in Creative Loafing
I was regularly among the top three most frequent performers at Relapse for years, often performing a dozen improv shows every month, plus the occasional sketch show, video shoot, and hosting other shows. I was founding member of the original Relapse Players and the subsequent 2 Girls 3 Eyes improv troupe that performed on Friday nights at 9:30 for over four years -- over 240 shows. For most of 2010 I performed double shows on Fridays - 8 pm and 10:30. I was also a regular player in the Tuesday night Richard Kickers which mixed improvisors from around the town for over three years. In 2010 and 2011, I was in two of the four Jackpie Featured Productions, performing in both Improv: The Musical! and First Cut, an improvised movie on Saturdays at 8 pm. I was the narrator for half dozen performances of a one-hour improvised novel called Writers Block.
In addition to those regularly scheduled shows, I made guest appearances to perform with Cineprov, Sideshow, and performed with JaCKPie shows, in Improv Monster, Revolver, and Smashup, and Insomniac. I hosted the Chicago Improv Festival College Improv Tournament. In 2008, I directed a three-person play, Coup de Theatre’s production of The Widow’s Blind Date at Relapse Theatre.