History

Big City Improv was originally founded as The Oakland Playhouse in 2000 by Western Washington University Alumni Justin Neal and Jayne Entwistle. Jayne and Justin met at Lefty O'Doul's in San Francisco in the winter of 1999 to discuss the glaring lack of theater in Oakland, where Jayne was living at the time. They decided to put on a show where they would showcase improv, singing and original scripted theater. They chose the prestigious Julia Morgan Theater for their event and put on three successful performances. Thus began The Oakland Playhouse.

The improv troupe continued to rehearse without a home, renting out various spaces in San Francisco until they discovered The Black Box, a new space being renovated in downtown Oakland. Jayne literally harassed the owners, Steve Schneider and Laura Dubois, until they agreed to a meeting with the Playhouse. A great friendship ensued between the Black Box and The Playhouse and the new Oakland Theater Company had a place to call home for the next two years.

The Oakland Playhouse Improv Troupe performed weekly at The Black Box, sometimes to an audience of 4 and sometimes to an audience of 124. In 2002, The Oakland Playhouse accomplished their first major coup, being named "The Best of The Bay" in the San Francisco Bay Guardian for Best Improv Troupe, an award they continue to take great pride in.

As the improv Troupe continued to grow, they began to perform in various venues, most notably with Producer Fred Anderson's "Comedy on The Square" at The Shelton Theater. The Shelton shows were such a success that the troupe began performing in San Francisco each week. Their name, unfortunately, continued to stump their audiences.

Finally, the troupe took the plunge and agreed on a new name: Big City Improv. For the past two years, Big City Improv has been performing every Friday night at The Shelton Theater. As the troupe continues to grow they are performing at more venues throughout the Bay Area including The Ashby Stage in Berkeley, home of The Shotgun Players and the Town Hall Theater in Lafayette.

Big City Improv recently won The Roar of The Crowd Award on Goldstar Events based on audience reviews.