CBus Improv Theatre (Columbus, OH)
Donation protected
Hi! We're Rance Rizzutto and Tara DeFrancisco, and we are opening a comedy and improvisational theatre in Columbus, Ohio!
THE IDEA:
First and foremost, thanks for watching our video! We are so, so very happy you are interested in our movement to begin a dedicated home for improvisation. Some of you may know us - but in case you don't, HELLO! We are professional performers and two of the most touring teachers in the world for this artform we love so much. Individually, we have played over 3000 improv shows, and over 1200 of those have been together. Between us, we have toured over 20 countries teaching and performing improv as the headliners with HERE , our acclaimed two-person musical improv play, as well as worked on staff at iO Chicago , Second City , and ComedySportz theatres.
Columbus has a unique voice and incredible community that we know well, and we're heading home to give you a home, - all funds raised this winter/spring, with a grand opening BY THIS FALL, 2016!
Here is our measured plan to implement, as structured by our team:
1. A safe space for all Columbus members to study and perform the artform of
improvisation.
2. A theatre operating with shows 4-5 nights weekly, to begin, with possibility of more programming to come.
3. A training center with classes 1 afternoon and 2 nights a week, to begin, with the immediate addition of more times 2 months after the theatre begins operation.
4. All walks of comedy being celebrated in the space; The theatre will be a home for longform improvisation of all different types, sketch shows, and stand-up events (see below for programming). In addition to this, Tara and Rance are excited to reveal they will additionally be applying for the purchase the ComedySportz(tm) licensure as long time vets, ideally bringing CSz to Columbus as well. Because we have done all four of these things (sketch, stand up, longform and shortform improvisation) and have been able to be a part of facilitating the evolution in Chicago/worldwide of comedians working together in our art to grow the artform rather than divide due to perceived differences, having all types of shows in one space and creating the culture of an inclusionary and positive home for all is of great importance.
5. A visionary theatre in a centralized location, equipped for shows, classes, and other opportunities (meetings, rehearsals, corporate applied improvisation trainings, community gatherings), hosting all sides of our artform, outlined and planned (see weekly breakdown, below).
6. In an effort to promote joy, goodwill, and celebration in Columbus improv, we will be hosting rotating teams that already exist in the city on a rotational basis weekly. This is important to us. BECAUSE it is so important to us and we want people to feel welcome, validated, and celebrated, we will give the space free of charge and schedule independent teams in two month blocks - each team can apply for slots online. Thursday late night programming (10pm) will also include a weekly jam, where anyone can get up to play together, hosted by faculty or staff of the theatre.
FROM THE PIONEERS:
We believe it is our life's work to spread and cultivate improvisational joy everywhere we can, and though we have had incredibly successful careers in professional improv and tv work, we think our passion lies with bringing full access, inclusion, and a dedicated space and home for improv in Tara's hometown - Columbus, Ohio.
INFO ON US SO YOU KNOW WE'RE FOR REAL:
If you'd like to know more about us, google away - or, just go here:
http://taraandrance.com or http://herethemusical.com (now touring 13 countries and 40 cities worldwide, now the highest rated improvisational show in Chicago)
OR
http://taradefrancisco.com and http://rancerizzutto.com for background on 15 years of professional performing and 10+ years of teaching for Second City, iO Chicago, and ComedySportz theatres
OR
http://theimprovretreat.com - the biggest improvisational slumber party camp in the United States, hosting 250 attendees a year! 4 two-hour courses, all inclusive lodging and meals, hosted jams, TEDlikeTalks, mainstage shows, crafts, games, smores, and singalongs. (All created by Tara and Rance in 2013, coming again this June 2-5, 2016.)
HOW CAN YOU HELP?
Donate! We are putting up our own capital on this build-out, but we need as much support as possible. Not only will we be purchasing or renting the space we have identified (to be announced), but we will need to purchase lights, stage materials, set materials, classroom buildout, contractors, insurance, signage, and promotional materials. THAT IS A LOT OF MONEY. We feel very assured that we have the experience to do this and the joy to do it right - we could just use a hand in more cashflow to do it the best we can.
DONATIONS AND GOOD STUFF:
If you donate, you get a gift!
Personal donations:
$25 - a button from The Nest (please provide your US mailing address)**, and your name on the wall of donors
$100 - a button and a two free tickets to a regular show as our guest**, and your name on the wall of donors
$150 - The Nest tshirt, button, two free tickets to a regular show as our guest**, and your name on the wall of donors
$250 - 2 tickets to our grand opening, The Nest TShirt, and button** - and your name on the wall of donors
$500 - 2 tickets to our grand opening, pack of 4 tickets to any regular shows, The Nest TShirt, a button**, and your name on our wall of donors
$1000+ - 4 tickets to our grand opening, pack of 10 tickets to any regular shows, The Nest TShirt, a button**, and your name on our wall of donors
[**PLEASE PROVIDE YOUR ADDRESS IN A NOTE TO US HERE, SO WE CAN SEND THESE THINGS TO YOU POST DONATION]
Business & Corporate donations:
$250 donation:
-ad space for your business on screen pre-shows for three months
$500 donation:
-ad space for your business on screen pre-shows for three months
-a place on our wall of contributors
-4 tickets to any show, usable any time (except grand opening)
$1000 donation:
-position on permanent step & repeat in the theatre for one year (our station for patrons to take pics and post on facebook, twitter, and instagram)
-ad space for your business on screen pre-shows for one year
-a place on our wall of contributors
-10 tickets to any show, usable any time (except grand opening)
$2500 donation or more:
-professional portrait photography for your office, including individual staff photos for up to ten people
- 2 hour corporate applied improvisation session for your office or department (up to 20 people), taught personally by professionals Tara and/or Rance
-ad space for your business on screen pre-shows for a year
[Have anything else in mind? We don't, but we (as improvisers) sure are open. Make a bid or an offer - let's talk. We teach corporate training sessions, we do photography, we coach, Rance does hypnosis, Tara does private coaching, we... uh, babysit and... make dinners? I don't know. Anything is possible to help us help Columbus live this dream. Thanks for helping us!]
****If you're curious about a breakdown of our upcoming events, head to the website!****
http://nesttheatre.com
Now go! Donate! Spread the word! Please help us make this home a reality for so many folks.
We need our space secured, a buildout, a lighting grid, a sound board, a set, chairs, a stage, booths, classrooms, insurance, signage, advertising, insane amounts of licensing fees, promotional materials - so much coming from our personal capital, and some coming from this campaign.
WE ARE SO VERY THANKFUL to have the opportunity to do this, and with your help we can make it happen.
Thank you, friend.
THE IDEA:
First and foremost, thanks for watching our video! We are so, so very happy you are interested in our movement to begin a dedicated home for improvisation. Some of you may know us - but in case you don't, HELLO! We are professional performers and two of the most touring teachers in the world for this artform we love so much. Individually, we have played over 3000 improv shows, and over 1200 of those have been together. Between us, we have toured over 20 countries teaching and performing improv as the headliners with HERE , our acclaimed two-person musical improv play, as well as worked on staff at iO Chicago , Second City , and ComedySportz theatres.
Columbus has a unique voice and incredible community that we know well, and we're heading home to give you a home, - all funds raised this winter/spring, with a grand opening BY THIS FALL, 2016!
Here is our measured plan to implement, as structured by our team:
1. A safe space for all Columbus members to study and perform the artform of
improvisation.
2. A theatre operating with shows 4-5 nights weekly, to begin, with possibility of more programming to come.
3. A training center with classes 1 afternoon and 2 nights a week, to begin, with the immediate addition of more times 2 months after the theatre begins operation.
4. All walks of comedy being celebrated in the space; The theatre will be a home for longform improvisation of all different types, sketch shows, and stand-up events (see below for programming). In addition to this, Tara and Rance are excited to reveal they will additionally be applying for the purchase the ComedySportz(tm) licensure as long time vets, ideally bringing CSz to Columbus as well. Because we have done all four of these things (sketch, stand up, longform and shortform improvisation) and have been able to be a part of facilitating the evolution in Chicago/worldwide of comedians working together in our art to grow the artform rather than divide due to perceived differences, having all types of shows in one space and creating the culture of an inclusionary and positive home for all is of great importance.
5. A visionary theatre in a centralized location, equipped for shows, classes, and other opportunities (meetings, rehearsals, corporate applied improvisation trainings, community gatherings), hosting all sides of our artform, outlined and planned (see weekly breakdown, below).
6. In an effort to promote joy, goodwill, and celebration in Columbus improv, we will be hosting rotating teams that already exist in the city on a rotational basis weekly. This is important to us. BECAUSE it is so important to us and we want people to feel welcome, validated, and celebrated, we will give the space free of charge and schedule independent teams in two month blocks - each team can apply for slots online. Thursday late night programming (10pm) will also include a weekly jam, where anyone can get up to play together, hosted by faculty or staff of the theatre.
FROM THE PIONEERS:
We believe it is our life's work to spread and cultivate improvisational joy everywhere we can, and though we have had incredibly successful careers in professional improv and tv work, we think our passion lies with bringing full access, inclusion, and a dedicated space and home for improv in Tara's hometown - Columbus, Ohio.
INFO ON US SO YOU KNOW WE'RE FOR REAL:
If you'd like to know more about us, google away - or, just go here:
http://taraandrance.com or http://herethemusical.com (now touring 13 countries and 40 cities worldwide, now the highest rated improvisational show in Chicago)
OR
http://taradefrancisco.com and http://rancerizzutto.com for background on 15 years of professional performing and 10+ years of teaching for Second City, iO Chicago, and ComedySportz theatres
OR
http://theimprovretreat.com - the biggest improvisational slumber party camp in the United States, hosting 250 attendees a year! 4 two-hour courses, all inclusive lodging and meals, hosted jams, TEDlikeTalks, mainstage shows, crafts, games, smores, and singalongs. (All created by Tara and Rance in 2013, coming again this June 2-5, 2016.)
HOW CAN YOU HELP?
Donate! We are putting up our own capital on this build-out, but we need as much support as possible. Not only will we be purchasing or renting the space we have identified (to be announced), but we will need to purchase lights, stage materials, set materials, classroom buildout, contractors, insurance, signage, and promotional materials. THAT IS A LOT OF MONEY. We feel very assured that we have the experience to do this and the joy to do it right - we could just use a hand in more cashflow to do it the best we can.
DONATIONS AND GOOD STUFF:
If you donate, you get a gift!
Personal donations:
$25 - a button from The Nest (please provide your US mailing address)**, and your name on the wall of donors
$100 - a button and a two free tickets to a regular show as our guest**, and your name on the wall of donors
$150 - The Nest tshirt, button, two free tickets to a regular show as our guest**, and your name on the wall of donors
$250 - 2 tickets to our grand opening, The Nest TShirt, and button** - and your name on the wall of donors
$500 - 2 tickets to our grand opening, pack of 4 tickets to any regular shows, The Nest TShirt, a button**, and your name on our wall of donors
$1000+ - 4 tickets to our grand opening, pack of 10 tickets to any regular shows, The Nest TShirt, a button**, and your name on our wall of donors
[**PLEASE PROVIDE YOUR ADDRESS IN A NOTE TO US HERE, SO WE CAN SEND THESE THINGS TO YOU POST DONATION]
Business & Corporate donations:
$250 donation:
-ad space for your business on screen pre-shows for three months
$500 donation:
-ad space for your business on screen pre-shows for three months
-a place on our wall of contributors
-4 tickets to any show, usable any time (except grand opening)
$1000 donation:
-position on permanent step & repeat in the theatre for one year (our station for patrons to take pics and post on facebook, twitter, and instagram)
-ad space for your business on screen pre-shows for one year
-a place on our wall of contributors
-10 tickets to any show, usable any time (except grand opening)
$2500 donation or more:
-professional portrait photography for your office, including individual staff photos for up to ten people
- 2 hour corporate applied improvisation session for your office or department (up to 20 people), taught personally by professionals Tara and/or Rance
-ad space for your business on screen pre-shows for a year
[Have anything else in mind? We don't, but we (as improvisers) sure are open. Make a bid or an offer - let's talk. We teach corporate training sessions, we do photography, we coach, Rance does hypnosis, Tara does private coaching, we... uh, babysit and... make dinners? I don't know. Anything is possible to help us help Columbus live this dream. Thanks for helping us!]
****If you're curious about a breakdown of our upcoming events, head to the website!****
http://nesttheatre.com
Now go! Donate! Spread the word! Please help us make this home a reality for so many folks.
We need our space secured, a buildout, a lighting grid, a sound board, a set, chairs, a stage, booths, classrooms, insurance, signage, advertising, insane amounts of licensing fees, promotional materials - so much coming from our personal capital, and some coming from this campaign.
WE ARE SO VERY THANKFUL to have the opportunity to do this, and with your help we can make it happen.
Thank you, friend.
Organizer
Tara DeFrancisco
Organizer
Columbus, OH
Inspired to help? Start a fundraiser for someone you know
