PHIT Kicks Off Campaign With 30 Rocks' Adsit and Hometown Gausas May 14 & 15

Philadelphia Improv Theatre, PHIT, is launching a 45 day campaign to raise funds that will cover the first phase of their $50,000 year end goal.  PHIT dedication to the alternative comedy scene include events this weekend with Scott Adsit from 30 Rock, where he plays Pete Hornberger, and hometown girl Christian Gausas from her many appearances on Late Night with Conan O'Brien at The Adrienne Theatre, 2030 Sansom Street, on Friday 5/14 and Saturday 5/15 at 8pm. Tickets are available in advance for $20. For information and tickets visit http://www.phillyimprovtheater.com.

Adsit and Gausas improvise an hour long one-act play that can be both hilarious and physical and heart-breaking and still. TimeOut New York has called them "the most talented improvisers in New York" as well as "patient, real and, typically, deliciously dark." The Chicago Tribune was even more succinct when it simply wrote: "They kill."

PHIT is at the center of Philadelphia's alternative comedy scene - supporting all varieties of humor.  150 dedicated local performers who have produced over 500 original performances in the last five years. These shows are open to all ages and typically cost $10 or less. This year 300 new students will enter their classes and workshops, studying with instructors ranging from local comedians to people you'd recognize from TV shows like Saturday Night Live, MTV's The State, and 30 ROCK. PHIT alumni network of over 1,000 students and performers have gone on to appear at major comedy theaters and festivals in places Chicago, Los Angeles and New York - as well as on television. More importantly, PHIT training propels the success of the Philadelphia comedy scene; creating new performers for our local stages.

PHIT has already received a 50,000 challenge grant from a generous anonymous donor. The release of these funds is for construction of their space (completing the execution of a lease, design their new home, permitting, construction bidding, materials purchase).  Learn more about PHIT by visiting their website at http://www.phillyimprovtheater.com.

 

 

"Right now we are all at the beginning of a process that will be both exciting and challenging, but has huge potential rewards for everyone who loves and cares about comedy. We hope we will all find a way to help support PHIT as we move to the next level," Greg Maughan, Executive Director

Need more convincing? Catch Scott on 95.7 Ben FM tomorrow morning as he talks 30 Rock and the shows this weekend sometime during Marilyn Russell's morning show. She's a big fan and we hope you'll tune in during her morning show to catch their chat. And if you already missed that by the time you read this email, keep an eye on PHIT's Facebook and Twitter accounts where we will be posting updates about other media appearances Adsit & Gausas will be making as the weekend shows approach.

Opening on Friday night will be PHIT house team Activity Book, and on Saturday you'll get to enjoy improv from Philly's top act: PHIT house team Fletcher.  

In addition, Scott and Christina will be co-teaching two workshops while they are in town. (on Saturday and Sunday from noon-3pm). Details of these 3-hour workshops for those with previous improv experience are on the PHIT website's improv classes page or on our special page with information about the entire weekend!

Adsit & Gausas perform at The Adrienne Theatre, 2030 Sansom Street, on Friday 5/14 and Saturday 5/15 at 8pm. Tickets are vailable in advance for $20.

Shannon Devido and Aubrie Williams join PHIT's King Friday starting this week. Shannon is an accomplished actress and singer, having studied improv comedy at the People's Improv Theater (PIT) in New York City. In Philly, Shannon has worked with the Walnut Street Theater and Amaryllis Theater Company, and has appeared on stage at the Wilma. Shannon has also sung the national anthem for the U.S. Open, the Baltimore Orioles, and the Washington Nationals. She can also be seen on a recent episode of Law and Order: Special Victims Unit that has aired, like, three times since she auditioned for PHIT.

Aubrie is an improv and sketch comedian who's no stranger to the Philadelphia comedy scene. Aubrie has handled public relations for local group Tongue & Groove and the Philly Improv Theater (PHIT). Her sketch comedy duo, Local Holiday Miracle, are making their debut this week at Philly's SoLow Festival. Aubrie's worked with theater companies throughout the city and is one of the nicest people you'll ever meet.

With over 1,000 students taught in the last 5 years, PHIT has created a huge community of people who love improv and know how to do it. PHIT has declared May to be National Improv Workshop Month! The celebration of one-day training, refresher courses, and unique single session opportunities started last weekend and continues throughout the month...

This weekend 30 Rock's Scott Adsit and Late Night with Conan O'Brien's Christina Gausas (also both Second City alums). They will offer fantastic insight, advice, and notes for improv performers who have studied extensively with PHIT.

Then over Memorial Day weekend New York based instructor Alex Marino from the Magnet Theater, host a workshop on following your gut in scenes and not letting your head get in the way of great improvising.

Advanced Improv Workshop - 1 SPOT LEFT!
with Scott Adsit and Christina Gausas, Saturday 5/15 from noon-3pm

Performer Improv Workshop - 3 SPOTS LEFT!
with Scott Adsit and Christina Gausas, Sunday, 5/16 noon-3pm

Your Brain is Full of Lies - 9 SPOTS LEFT!
with Alex Marino (Magnet Theater) on Saturday, 5/29 from noon-3pm

In addition to all our workshops PHIT host core classes starting this month as well!

Improv Level 1 - 5 SPOTS LEFT!
with Matt Nelson, starts 5/20

Improv Level 2 - 7 SPOTS LEFT!
with Greg Maughan, starts 5/26

Bonus Shows This Weekend + SoLow Festival

Friday, May 14
8pm - Adsit & Gausas (feat. PHIT house team Activity Book) - $20
10pm - The Amie & Kristen Show/The Kristen & Amie Show (feat. PHIT house team King Friday) - $10 ($5 with your ticket from 8pm)

The Kristen & Amie Show featuring PHIT instructors and house team directors Amie Roe and Kristen Schier. Completing the bill is PHIT house team and Philly favorite King Friday.  

Saturday, May 15
8pm - Adsit & Gausas (feat. PHIT house team Fletcher) - $20
10pm - Blind TROIKA - $10

Wednesday, May 19Philly's favorite house team, Fletcher, hits up the first ever SoLow festival (organized in part by Thomas Choinacky, a former PHIT volunteer) on Wednesday, May 19th. This special show is pay-what-you-can and takes place at The Wolf Building, 12th & Callowhill streets, Philadelphia, PA. Showtime is 9:30pm!

 

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