SAK Comedy Lab
SAK Comedy Lab (SAK) is a 250-seat
SAK runs an improv training school, SAK University (SAK U), which features four levels of core classes and two advanced Conservatory classes [2]
Shows
SAK's main show is the Duel of Fools. This show features two teams of three improvisers, one host/ referee, and a piano player to add music. SAK will often feature a different ten p.m. show that offers a format other than the standard Duel of Fools.
While Duel of Fools runs continuously, the club also rotates other temporary shows through its repertoire. These have included the 2007 Rub a Dub Dub, a show in which players
Seasonal shows at SAK include variations on Duel of Fools, such as Love for Fools (
SAK Style.Other continuous programs include Lab Rats, a show for invited graduates of SAK's improv training school, and Generation S (Gen S), a showcase of the best of Lab Rats and special invitees who are being trained to join the ensemble. The most recent showcase of SAK is "The Thursday Show" show which takes classic improv formats but draws the cast from talent in their development program, consisting of top students from "SAK University". Together with a couple of invited professional performers, this new crew will create comedy on the spot based on audience suggestions.
Company History
SAK Theatre began in Buffalo, Minnesota when a troupe of four individuals with a background in evangelical street theater began performing at the Minnesota Renaissance Festival in 1977. After a few years, opportunities arose for SAK to perform at multiple festivals simultaneously. The original troupe trained additional performers, and SAK grew from four members to twelve.
In 1982, while performing at a festival in
For seven years, SAK produced, performed, and managed live audience participatory comedy shows for Walt Disney World in the United Kingdom Pavilion at Epcot and Italy Pavilion at Epcot, as well as other shows performed in and around the parks. SAK also continued to appear at festivals, expos, and fairs worldwide well into the 1990s, employing over 30 full-time performers, production, and office staff.
In 1991 after the Disney contract ended, SAK Theatre Company opened the SAK Comedy Lab on Church Street in downtown Orlando. This first venue was a 99-seat theater dedicated to performing original comedy plays (many developed through improvisation) and improv shows. At this time, the SAK improv comedy competition, the “Duel of Fools," had started. Every Friday and Saturday night for the past 23 years, two teams of improvisers have battled against each other to see who could make up the funniest scenes, sketches, and songs based on audience suggestions.
It currently serves over 30,000 patrons a year, as well as Central Florida organizations such as the Orlando Magic, Florida Hospital, and Darden Restaurants with its team training and corporate comedy shows.[5]
Location
The original SAK Theater was located on Church Street in downtown Orlando. The company quickly outgrew the space and moved to its second location at 380 W. Amelia Ave,[6] which led to parking difficulties during events at the Amway Arena.[7] SAK moved to its current location, 29 S. Orange Ave., in early 2010.
Notable SAK Alumni
Many of SAK's former ensemble members moved on to careers in acting, film, and other performance roles. These include:[8]
- Dee Bradley Baker
- Wayne Brady
- Karey Kirkpatrick
- Jonathan Mangum
- Paula Pell
- Moira Quirk
- Aaron Shure
- Paul C. Vogt
References
- ^ More News Archived 2007-01-01 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "SAK University - Improv Classes for All".
- ^ Topic Galleries – OrlandoSentinel.com
- ^ Orlando Sentinel review
- ^ "SAK Comedy Lab - Orlando's Best-Rated Live Improv Comedy Club".
- ^ SAK Comedy Lab
- ^ MAGIC: 2006-07 Parking Options for Magic Games
- ^ The Extended SAK Family – Where Are They Now? Archived 2007-02-25 at the Wayback Machine