ABOUT OFF-OFF CAMPUS

Off-Off Campus is the second oldest continuously running student improvisational theater troupe in the country with the first generation dating back to 1986. The alert, historically-minded reader might notice that improv at The University of Chicago is older still...

BACKGROUND
The University of Chicago is the undisputed birthplace of improvisational and sketch comedy. In the 1950's, a group of University Chicago students formed the Compass Players on campus, and in 1959, the group became The Second City. In 1986, U of C alum and Second City con-founder Bernie Sahlins (A.B. '43) returned to the University campus in order to begin a south side group to rival his north side creation. Sahlins trained the first Generation of Off-Off Campus in the art of sketch and improv comedy, much as he had done 27 years ago when he invented the forms as we know them today in his classroom, and the group has kept to his regiment of training ever since. Since 1986, Off-Off Campus has entertained thousands of Chicagoans with its unmistakable mix of improv, sketch, and musical comedy.

Click here to learn more about 50 years of improv and sketch comedy at the U of C!

OFF-OFF CAMPUS STRUCTURE
Like The University of Chicago, Off-Off Campus operates on a quarter system. Auditions for the newest Generation of Off-Off take place early every Fall. Those cast comprise a Generation that trains intensively for a quarter and a half. During training, the Generation performs in "Afterglows," or short revues following the Off-Off mainstages. Then, the following two quarters that Generation performs on the Off-Off mainstage. Each quarterly revue is totally different and every weekly show within each revue is different; however, the weekly shows tend to revolve around what theme the revue maintains. In the Winter quarter, Off-Off presents an inter-generational revue. All revues are conceived, written, improvised, and performed by the current ensemble. In addition, revue directors are Off-Off Campus members who have fulfilled their training and performance commitment.

OFF-OFF CAMPUS EXPERIENCE
Seating at each Off-Off show at the Blue Gargoyle theatre in University Church is first-come first-serve and tickets are only four dollars. Bands or other performance groups from the University or the greater Chicago community often perform before Off-Off shows. If interested in fulfilling either an afterglow or a preglow slot, please contact our Assistant Production Manager .

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