comedy

Matt Talks with Mark Metcalf!

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I sat down with actor Mark Metcalf (Animal House, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Seinfeld… yes, the Maestro himself!), but the best part was he was interviewing ME about the start of The Underground Collaborative, the Milwaukee Comedy Festival and other things.

Despite that busy schedule, Matt took a bit of time out of his day to pop upstairs for a visit at the Third Coast Daily offices, where he sat down with Mark. While he was here, he talked to us about the growth of Milwaukee’s comedy scene, the different styles of comedy on the rise in the city and what’s coming up during this hectic weekend at the Collaborative.

Check out the interview here.

Welcome to The UC!

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Milwaukee Creatives Energize Grand Ave.

Arts groups collaborate to lease space in Shops of Grand Avenue

MILWAUKEE, WI –Three creative and established arts groups: Milwaukee Comedy, Inc., home to the annual Milwaukee Comedy Festival, along with Pink Banana Theatre Co., providing new opportunities in theatre, and Studio Kristelle an open artist studio, officially announce a new office/rehearsal/studio space in the Shops of Grand Avenue as part of the Creativity Works Here program.

Approximately 10,000 square feet on the lower level of the Plankington building will host the three creative ventures. Each organization will operate independently of one another, but will share spaces and resources including marketing, box office services, etc. “Working together just made sense, economically and creatively.” Said Matt Kemple, founder of Milwaukee Comedy Inc., and Artistic Producer of Pink Banana Theatre Co. “Each company has different strengths that can be utilized in unique ways.”

The three companies will each offer different workshops, space rental and artistic undertakings along with administrative offices. Milwaukee Comedy and Pink Banana Theatre will both offer rehearsal space and small performances. Studio Kristelle will focus on music, dance, writing and art and allow the public the opportunity to stop in and visit her studio and observe art in progress.

Businesses including Art Milwaukee and Spreenkler Talent Labs currently occupy spaces in the Grand Avenue through the Creativity Works Here program, an effort to attract artists, creative companies and entrepreneurs. The model was developed by management firm Jones Lang LaSalle, at a mall in St. Louis, MO

ABOUT

Milwaukee Comedy, Inc., founded in 2008 as the parent organization of the annual Milwaukee Comedy Festival, provides educational advancement, resources, performance opportunities and public entertainment in order to strengthen the community through laughter and positive forms of expression. Operations have expanded in 2012 to sponsor and produce local comedy events, offer comedy-related workshops and enhance its promotion of the local comedy community. www.MilwaukeeComedy.com

Pink Banana Theatre Co., founded in 2004, was created to provide professional opportunities to emerging artists. The company offers a refreshing alternative to the more traditional shows often seen in the Milwaukee theatre world. www.pinkbananatheatre.com

Studio Kristelle began in 1990 as a small graphics arts business designing logos for Native American entrepreneurs. Today, Studio Kristelle aims to provide an accessible multi-creative environment for Artists who need a place to share their creative talents with the community and a place for the community to enjoy exploring their creative self with passionate Artists. www.studiokristelle.me

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Milwaukee Comedy Festival: Year 6!

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All the hard work begins to pay off as the sixth installment of the Milwaukee Comedy Festival quickly approaches. It’s exciting to see it all start to come together.  If you didn’t know, it’s a lot of work to put together a comedy festival. Coordinating comedy groups from all over, organizing staff and volunteers, making flyers, selling tickets… I could go on and on.

Milwaukee Comedy Festival, August 4-7, 2011

The comedy festival is growing, and sometimes the hardest part is keeping it manageable so things don’t get out of hand. It’s the little things that can bring it all to a screeching halt. Think about it. You can throw the greatest party in history: send out the coolest invites, bring in a hip music act and invite the who’s-who in town. But if you run out of ice or toilet paper, the night is going to end on a sour note.

 

Luckily this year some people have really stepped up to lend a hand. I have to give a shout out to Co-Producer Patrick Schmitz. He has always been a great asset to the festival, but this year especially. Anne Cauley was brought on to the team to help with development, and she organized a Kickstarter campaign that raised more than $2500. All the money raised goes to help support the growing comedy scene in Milwaukee. And of course Joel Dresang has been a huge help with Milwaukee Comedy. Thanks!