Four new prime time house teams make their debuts in RIOT, the Coalition’s flagship longform improv show this May.
The Coalition’s newly minted improv house teams will hit the stage for the first time this month, and you’ll be able to see them now thru November. Following an exciting round of auditions in March, nearly 60 hopefuls were whittled down to 4 teams of 7-8 performers, each training under a dedicated coach to prepare them for a 6-month run on the Coalition stage.
RIOT has been the Coalition’s flagship longform show since the nonprofit theater opened its doors in 2013. Every Saturday at 8pm, Audiences can see 2 rotating house teams, which are fielded via auditions every 6 months; and Big Bosses, a rotating cast of senior company members and special guests.
So, who are these folks who choose to boldly go onstage without any idea what they’re about to do? What drew them to improv, and why the Coalition?
“During a high school world history class, a friend of mine leaned over and whispered "Hey, have your heard of improv?,"" starts Alex Strauch, returning house team member, while describing how he was introduced to the idea.
“He proceeded to tell me about auditions and how much I'd like it, all while whispering. It was extremely sketchy and I was totally down. Slowly I realized improv is really, really fun and became such a fan that it was part of my decision for college, seriously!”
Once out of school, Alex found himself in Richmond and looking for somewhere to stretch his stage-legs again. “At the time I had been performing longform for 4 years but just moved to Richmond. The amount of people I knew here was exactly zero. Never have I met a more welcoming and fun loving group than at the Coalition, I felt at-home right away. After almost a year of performing here I can say I definitely feel the same!”
That sentiment seems to echo in many of the theater’s company members. House team member Gretchen Glaeser recalls, "I’d moved to RVA without knowing anyone and needed friends and an activity ASAP. I started taking classes at the Coalition and everyone there was pretty rad. Most of my favorite people are at least connected to the theater!"
Jamie Rule, one of the company’s newest members, dove into improv while living in DC. "My friends signed me up for a 101 class at Washington Improv Theater as a present, and I just loved it enough to keep doing it. I moved to RVA on a whim last summer and immediately found Coalition! My closest friends in Richmond are people I took class with.”
Adds Gretchen, “it reminds me of the slogan for The Olive Garden. You know the one, ‘when you’re here, you’re family.'"
The bonds people form together while learning and performing improv seem to be a theme for many, and it’s this camaraderie that helps to make their shows so great. “For me, it's one of the most unique experiences I've ever had. It's a rare real life example of making friends you'll be friends with for the rest of your life.” That’s Jonathan Mostowy, describing his experience performing on a house team and other Coalition projects. “I feel very proud to represent this theater. To be a part of something that could be argued is the foundation of all the great things this theater does and has done is special.” He’s referring to the way in which the Coalition’s leadership cultivates and grows its talented performers.
“House teams are a starting point for a lot of folks who’ve trained and are ready to get onstage,” explains Executive Director Katie Holcomb. “As they get familiar with the theater community, people gravitate towards folks who want to create the same kind of work they do, and they start exploring; putting up original acts or projects.”
And that is by design. The Coalition’s programming largely comes from the minds of the performers themselves. Through providing practice rooms & stage time to try new ideas, improvisers are encouraged to find a unique voice for their comedic sensibilities. “Improv is still a new artform, and comedy is always evolving along with our society. We want our performers to actively shape what comes next, not just be students of what’s already been done.”
Teams are lead by members of the theater’s Coaching Staff, a mix of transplants & homegrown improvisers. This round’s coaches include Amber Hendrix, Kiersten Hoffman, Nick Leveski, and debuting coach Kolt Risser.
Kiersten Hoffman, coach of Don’t Pick Me Up!, joined the Coalition Theater’s Training Center with previous comedy experience, she explains, “I started learning improv when I was 13 years old as I was lucky enough to have a drama curriculum based completely on creating, writing, and performing our own material.
When I moved to Richmond almost 4 years ago I wanted to get back into improv, and here I am now! Today, I coach a house team, teach 401, and perform regularly with the Hearst Girls.” Kiersten’s also been seen in ‘Til Death Do Us Part, Coalition Radio Hour, It’s Complicated, XO Rated: A V-day Sketch Show, and made her directorial debut with the original show Star Team, an intergalactic improv adventure. “The Coalition hasn't just become a big part of my life here in Richmond, it's become a second home where I know I will be encouraged to be my full self.”
Amber Hendrix, coach of the new house team Gossip Badge, has been a company member since her debut with house team Dollar Machine and is a Coalition Training Center graduate.
She’s been seen in the cast of the hit improvised reality show ‘Til Death Do Us Part, 2018’s SLASHER: The Improvised Horror Movie, and It’s Complicated: A Sketch Comedy Show About Modern Relationships, to name a few. She’s also ⅓ of the Hearst Girls, producers of a monthly improv & stand-up show featuring women, women-identifying, and non-binary performers.
Nick Leveski is a Chicago-trained improviser who joined up with the Coalition not long after it’s inception.
He’s a Training Center instructor and currently performs with the teams Horse Apples, Leveski & Gordon Attorneys-at-Law, PACK, and Big Bosses. He’s been seen in several projects over the years and previously coached house team Clappsaddle.
Nick’s got a wild style that can’t be contained by nobody.
Kolt Risser is a Coalition Training Center grad who joined the company with house team Ambassador.
You’ve seen him in shows like American Documentary, The Improvised Musical, 70 Minutes in Heaven, Coalition Boyzzz, and more.
This is Kolt’s first time coaching, but his kindness, dedication and talent have made him a trusted leader in the theater.
So what can you expect from these new teams? “Don’t Pick Me Up! will WOW audiences with our high-energy shows that showcase a wide range of emotions and characters.” says Pete Cloutier, returning house team member.
“It’s been an amazing, exciting and a fun-lovin’ experience. I think our team is filled with a bunch of wild ideas and people that can roll with whatever is thrown at them, also werewolves lots of werewolves” Says Jay Mclain, one of the Coalition’s newest talents.
Jamie Rule jokes, “A Forced Family Fun Atmosphere,” and Jonathan Mostowy sums it up with a bold invitation, “You'll just have to come out and see for yourself!”
Don’t Pick Me Up! And Gossip Badge debuted May 4th and can be seen on 1st & 3rd Saturdays during RIOT! Nick Leveski & Kolt Risser’s teams - names to be declared for the first time onstage - debut May 11th. Catch them on 2nd & 4th Saturdays.