Relapse Theatre

Relapse Theater is a comedy and performing arts venue in Atlanta, Georgia that focuses on improvisational theatre and improv comedy. [Official web site: [http://www.RelapseTheatre.com RelapseTheatre.com] ] The theatre is home to several resident improv performance troupes, hosts open mic and showcase performances for stand-up comedians, and holds staged plays and special events throughout the year. Multiple performance spaces include an intimate cinema, a black box studio theater, a comedy club cabaret, and a main stage ballroom-auditorium. Classes in short-form and long-form improv are taught throughout the week.

Relapse was created by its artistic director Bob Wood in 2005, after leaving The Whole World Theatre, where he was artistic director. [Adrianne M. Murchiso, “Old church a shrine for local comics”, Atlanta-Journal Constitution, 06/26/2008, pg. JE10. "Further information: " [http://www.relapsecomedy.com/index.php?s=AJC RelapseTheatre.com/AJC] ] The inspiration for the theater is attributed to Emmy Award Winning Director David Webster, under whom Mr. Wood studied. [ [http://www.RelapseTheatre.com/Home RelapseTheatre.com/Home] ] Other key founding members include [http://www.linkedin.com/in/troyhalverson Troy Halverson] (Business Manager) and [http://www.myspace.com/shellieschmals Shellie Schmals] (Event Planning).

In the first year, the theater was primarily a venue for special events and [http://www.RelapseTheatre.com/Classes improv classes] that focus on teaching strong, emotional, two-person, scene work. This style emphasizes the role of emotions in character work, and how to use movement to inspire genuine feelings and a natural performance. All students are drilled in the basics of scene work -- character, relationship, objectives, and where you are -- before combining it with "short-form" improv games or theatre sports. He teaches students that "the basics of scene work never change." This emphasis on solid acting skills is a key to performing “comedy with heart.”

In February 2006, the "Relapse Improv Troupe" began with performing their style of improv every Friday night. To that schedule was added a Saturday night "long-form" improv show, and stand-up comedy nights.

The addition of long-form improv came to the theater when Jim Karwisch, of [http://www.Jackpie.com The JaCKPie Theatre Workshop] , began teaching classes at Relapse. One of the key forms taught by Karwish is the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harold_(improvisation) Harold] improv form created by Del Close. "Harold Night" at Relapse showcases various troupes performing in this style form and in variations of it.

2007: Creative Loafing readers name Relapse Theatre the Best New Trend in the Arts. [“Timeless vs. Trendy: Best of Atlanta 2007”, [http://www.atlanta.creativeloafing.com Creative Loafing] , Volume 36, Issue #27, 11/7/2007-11/13/2007. "Further information:" [http://www.relapsecomedy.com/index.php?s=Loafing RelapseTheatre.com/Loafing] ]

2008: AOL ranks Relapse Theatre City's Best Comedy Club. [AOL City's Best: [http://citysbest.aol.com/atlanta/best-nightlife/comedy-clubs citysbest.aol.com/atlanta/best-nightlife/comedy-clubs] "Further information:" [http://www.relapsecomedy.com/index.php?s=AOL RelapseTheatre.com/AOL] ]

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