The areas newest night-life event shows no signs of stopping. In just 3 short months No Shame Theater has premiered over 150 new works in numerous performance styles, shown dozens of pieces of visual art, spawned an improv group a burlesque group, and a comedy music quartet that has already released their first CD. More icing was recently put on the cake in the form of a sizable grant for the upstart program.
At a time when competition for arts funding is at an all time high, the Springer Opera House has received $5,000 in support from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation for its No Shame Theater.
“We are honored to be recognized in this way,” said Jens Rasmussen, the Springer’s No Shame director. “No Shame has been a huge success and attracted hundreds of dedicated fans, but foundation support like this is another affirmation of the positive impact we’re seeing every Friday night at No Shame performances.”
The Knight Foundation funds projects that transform communities based on the foundation's values of: discovery, vision, courage, know-how and tenacity. Qualities which are definitely present in the No Shame program and its participants.
No Shame Theater is an uncensored evening of original performances that allows anyone to explore their creative potential. It happens every Friday at the Springer Opera House. Admission is $5 for everyone, including performers. The first 15 acts to sign up at 10 p.m. get a five-minute performance slot, and the show starts at 10:30 p.m.
“The beauty of No Shame is its simplicity and lack of censorship,” said Rasmussen. “There are only three rules - each act must be less than five minutes, must feature original material and can break no laws. Otherwise, there are absolutely no limitations to what one can perform at No Shame.”
Presentations have included original plays, improvisation, spoken-word, rap, music, stand-up comedy, monologues, dance, spoons, interpretive sign-language, poetry, rants, burlesque – even a color guard routine that combined flag, sword, dance, and music.
The first No Shame was started 23 years ago by Todd Ristau and Jeff Goode in the back of a pick-up in Iowa City, Iowa. Since then, branches have sprung up in New York, Miami, Chicago, Cleveland, Austin, Charlottesville, and other cities. Well-known No Shame alumni include John Leguizamo (Ice Age), Camryn Manheim (The Practice) Rebecca Gilman (Spinning into Butter), Naomi Wallace (Things of Dry Hours), Rick Cleveland (Six Feet Under), and Johnathan Larson (Rent).
To learn more about Columbus' No Shame and to watch past performances, visit: www.facebook.com/noshametheater
