Jess And...
media release: With improvisational comedy, one never knows what may happen, but it most likely will be very funny. Be prepared for amusement—and even a few deep-belly laughs—at “Jess And…,” an improv comedy show featuring Jess Schuknecht and his comical friends on Saturday, Oct. 5 at 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. at Overture Center’s Playhouse Theater. Tickets are available at overture.org.
Madison-based improvisor Jess Schuknecht has performed with ComedySportz, Atlas Improv, which he helped co-found, and Monkey Business Institute. He has performed on stage in non-improvised roles with Forward Theater Company, Children’s Theater of Madison, Whoopensocker, and other local arts organizations. He also writes for the stage, with an occasional dabble in directing.
Schuknecht has been performing and teaching improv in Madison for 25 years. To commemorate the occasion, he is gathering up some good friends and fellow performers from that time span to do a show at Overture Center, a venue near and dear to his heart—as well as the building where he works full-time as the director of ticketing.
“Jess And…” at 3 p.m. will feature three teams, one for each of Schuknecht’s various performing groups and made up of alumni or current members from each, all competing to win points and see who emerges victorious. This show is family friendly and appropriate for all ages. Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for ages 16 and under.
The 7 p.m. show will feature a smaller, tight-knit cast and consist of some of Schuknecht’s favorite games as well as some longform improv, which is more story and character driven. The evening show is not necessarily kid friendly and is recommended for teens and up. All tickets for this show are $25—one dollar for every year of Schuknecht’s experience.
Each show will be one of a kind and feature performances brought to life using suggestions from the audience as prompts and inspiration for what plays out on stage. Audiences should come ready to laugh as performers weave stories and create characters right in front of their eyes, sometimes while juggling additional challenges.
This is a facility rental event presented by an independent organization separate from Overture Center for the Arts.
other fun surprises.