I moved to Chicago to do improv, and the second week I was in the city I did an audition at The Playground Theater and was cast into an Incubator ensemble — the theater’s program to put together experienced but group-less improvisors — and was performing within a month. Over the years The Playground has given me opportunities to perform, to direct, to produce, and to teach. (And as well, since The Playground is a not-for-profit co-op run by the groups that perform there, to staff the box office, to run tech, to clean the bathrooms…) I’ve given a lot to The Playground and it’s given a lot back to me.

This week The Playground is celebrating its 10th Anniversary with shows by all the current member ensembles, several alumni groups, and special guests. There are shows each night at 8 pm*, a marathon of shows Friday night to Saturday morning, a mock prom at Spin on Saturday, and a kids show and three more shows all day Sunday.

Time Out Chicago – Player’s Club

* Disclosure/Plug – my group, Pastor of Muppets, goes up tonight.