Under St. Marks 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 gets 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 unofficial model evolved: an established group (anything from a veteran Harold team to a long-time indie group) will 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. Soon many improv and sketch groups associated with the improv scene in NYC used Under St. Marks and its sister space The Red Room for 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.

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

Other past performances include: Past Peformances include:

• Thank You, Robot
• The Law Firm
• Fat Penguin
• Sherpa
• The Brothers Hines
• KnifeStorm
• We Can't Live in a Cave
• DogBasket
• UCBT Harold Teams

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