View source for Under St. Mark's Theater

A venue where many independently produced (as in not affiliated with any of the major improv theaters) improv shows. It is located on St. Marks Place in Manhattan.

==Significance==
As it became more and more competitive to be cast in an improv show on one of the stages of the major improv theaters, up-and-coming improv students could not find places to perform. At Under St. Marks an established group (anything from a veteran [[UCBT]] [[Harold]] team to a long-time indie group) will often rent the space and invite less experienced teams to open. The less experienced team will bring a big crowd and the veteran team will close out the show.

USM has helped to evolve an unofficial Indie League of improv groups.

==History==
[[Amy Rhodes]] performed in a long-running comedy called Spooky Dog for Horse Trade Theater. While there, she learned that Horse Trade wanted to rent out its under-used space, the Under St. Marks Theater. She posted on the [[IRC]] that improvisers should consider using it. [[Rob Lathan]] started renting the space for his period variety show [[The Osgood-Schlatter Show]]. Also the sketch group [[Ralph]] staged its show [[Mr. Ralph's Neighborhood]] there. After performing there as part of the [[Will Hines]] show "Tim Conway Jr.'s Cavalcade of Stars," [[Rogue Elephant]] saw the potential for a regular all-improv show in the space. In July of 2004, they began renting USM for bi-weekly improv shows with [[Reuben Williams]], which at that time was just beginning to perform under the name "Robin Williams." [[Rogue Elephant]] and [[Reuben Williams]] would perform every other week alongside one new team. Occasionally there would be a short stand-up set as well. Soon many improv and sketch groups followed suit and began booking Under St. Marks and its sister space [[The Red Room]] for regular improv and variety shows.

==Notable Shows==
Besides The Osgood-Schlatter Show, [[Five Dudes]] and [[Primal Bias]] hosted a long-running show there on Saturday nights. 

[[Rogue Elephant]] has hosted a very long run of shows on periodic Friday nights.  [[Thank You, Robot]] currently hosts their show, [[Summer Fridays]], on alternating Fridays.  [[Sherpa]] hosts a show there regularly, usually two Saturdays a month. As does [[Jump On Three]] the first Friday of the month at 10:30.

The [[Harold Teams]] [[fwand]] and [[Tantrum]] hosted a run of Friday night improv shows.

Other past performances include:
*[[The Law Firm]]
*[[Fat Penguin]]
*[[Sherpa]]
*[[The Brothers Hines]]
*[[Shark Tank]]
*[[KnifeStorm]]
*[[We Can't Live in a Cave]]
*[[DogBasket]]
*[[UCBT]] [[Harold Teams]]
*[[I Eat Pandas]]

==Description==
One side wall of the stage features removable wood panels to expose the original sandstone and brick wall, the opposing side is a usable stand-up bar. 

There is a backstage dressing room with direct access to crossover, stage and restroom. 
The lighting system includes a carefully designed reparatory plot which allows a great variety of looks, areas and colors. Four Re-Focusable and Re-Gellable instruments add to its versatility. 

This space is equipped with a sound package that includes: a mixing board with a microphone jack, a dual CD Deck, digital hookup, and 4 speaker stereo sound. 

Additional amenities include: air conditioning, a projector and screen available for rent and set and prop storage. 

UNDER St. Marks has a beer and wine license! The Beer Pantry can be open upon request. 

==Address==
94 ST. MARKS PLACE
BETWEEN 1ST AVENUE & AVENUE A

BASEMENT THEATER, NO WHEELCHAIR ACCESS

==Contact==
HORSE TRADE THEATER GROUP

212-777-6088

office@horsetrade.info

85 EAST 4TH STREET NY, NY 10003

[[Category:Theatres]]
[[Category:New York City]]
[[Category:Improv Venues]]