Since 2014 Big Blue Door has presented Charlottesville’s first and only longform improv teams. Check ’em out year by year!
First-time BBD performers in bold.
2014
The Lady Pills were Charlottesville’s first fully-trained longform improv comedy ensemble, raised through the ranks of Big Blue Door’s improv training program. The Lady Pills performed a Harold run in the Summer of 2014 culminating in a performance at New York’s Magnet Theater. They reformed in the fall to perform in Big Blue Door’s Smallprov run, and to perform at Big Blue Door Unhinged at BON and to perform at Festivus, the Richmond Comedy Festival! Jennifer Slate, Stacey McCormick, Brian Weisbrod, Debby Prum, Larry Goldstein, Maya Hislop, Nauder Namaky, Nik Hayes, and Jude Silveira.
Smallprov. For the fall of 2015 The Lady Pills performed a series of shows with two and three-person groups. Jennifer Slate, Brian Weisbrod, Debby Prum, Larry Goldstein, Maya Hislop, Nauder Namaky, Nik Hayes, and Jude Silveira.
2015
Hot Dog Water. One of Big Blue Door’s two 2015 winter performance ensembles. Performed with Unusual Suspects. Shawn Hirabayashi, Maya Hislop, Max Hoecker, Debby Prum, Tu-An Truong, and Brian Weisbrod.
Unusual Suspects. One of Big Blue Door’s two 2015 winter performance ensembles. Performed with Hot Dog Water. Larry Goldstein, Nik Hayes, Kirk Martini, Nauder Namaky, and Erik Swanson.
The Placeholders. Spring monoscene group. Larry Goldstein, Nik Hayes, Maya Hislop, Max Hoecker, Kirk Martini, Nauder Namaky, Erik Swanson, and Brian Weisbrod.
Mogli Mogli de Brogli. Summer run 2015. Performed with Plan A. Rosemarie Harper, Nik Hayes, Kirk Martini, Deborah Prum, Brian Weisbrod, and JP Riggle.
Plan A. Summer run 2015. Performed with Mogli Mogli de Brogli. Max Hoecker, Nauder Namaky, Maya Hislop, Erik Swanson, and Jessica Pascoal.
Catawampus. Fall run 2015. Max Hoecker, Shawn Hirabayashi, Larry Goldstein, Kirk Martini, Rosemarie Harper, Brian Weisbrod, and Deborah Arenstein.
Dance Monkey. Performed in fall 2015 run with Catawampus. Will May, John Lawrence, Nauder Namaky, Debby Prum, JP Riggle, Erik Swanson, and Finn Mehigan
OK Stupid was Big Blue Door’s first indy team, put together by Brian Weisbrod and Nauder Namaky with stories, scenes, and even a radio show about their unsuccessful love lives. Performed in summer and fall 2015 and ever since. Brian Weisbrod, Nauder Namaky, plus guests.
2016
Sleepover. This is a longform sometimes called Choose Your Own Adventure that is very character-based with elements of monoscene. Performed in the winter of 2016 with The Helix. Nauder Namaky, Brian Weisbrod, JP Riggle, Shawn Hirabayashi, Kirk Martini, Erik Swanson, and Finn Mehigan.
The Helix. The is a type of monoscene form invented by a New York improviser named Alex Marino for rehearsals. Big Blue Door premiered it as a performed form. Performed in winter 2016 with Sleepover. Larry Goldstein, Debby Prum, Max Hoecker, Will May, J Lawrence, Deborah Arenstein, Melissa Wender, and Ryan Wender.
The Echo. Performed as spring run with Short Term Analysis. This form uses cascades of speech to create and recreate multiple scenes and parallel universes. Larry Goldstein, Deborah Arenstein, Shawn Hirabayashi, Kirk Martini, Finn Mehigan, and Debby Prum.
Short Term Analysis. Performed with The Echo. Deconstructing audience stories and interviews. Nauder Namaky, Finn Mehigan, Deborah Arenstein.
The Bitter End. One half of Big Blue Door’s 2016 Summer run and continued on into the fall run. Performed with The Administration. JL Lawrence, Will May, Erik Swanson, Sally Trude, Leigh Maxwell, Shell Stern, Keaton Ray, Susan Gorman, and David Luzader.
The Administration. Big Blue Door’s summer 2016 run. Performed with The Bitter End and solo in the summer 2016 and at time since. Joel Jones, Nauder Namaky, and Brian Weisbrod.
Driver’s Ed. One half of Big Blue Door’s fall 2016 run. Performed with The Bitter End. Larry Goldstein, Deborah Arentstein, Sally Trude, Kirk Martini, Max Hoecker, and Finn Mehigan.
2017
Half-Price Candy. One half of Big Blue Door’s winter 2017 run. Performed with Mr Mammal. JL Lawrence, Maya Hilsop, Kirk Martini, Debby Prum, Erik Swanson, Kelsey Keverline, and Todd Kasen.
Mr Mammal. One half of Big Blue Door’s winter 2017 run. Performed with Half-Price Candy. Max Hoecker, Sally Trude, Rosemarie Harper, Leigh Maxwell, Susan Gorman, David Luzader, Keaton Ray, and Marjory Ruderman.
The Experience. A mixture of storytelling and improv. Ran in winter of 2017. Larry Goldstein, Nauder Namaky, Brian Weisbrod, Finn Mehigan, and Deborah Arenstein.
Lemon Cello. One half of Big Blue Door’s spring 2017 run. Performed with Colorblind Astronauts. Todd Kasen, Debby Prum, Sally Trude, Ryan Wender, Finn Mehigan, and Kelsey Keverline.
Colorblind Astronauts. One half of Big Blue Door’s spring 2017 run. Performed with Lemon Cello. Larry Goldstein, Deborah Arenstein, Keaton Ray, Susan Gorman, David Luzader, and Marjory Ruderman.
Compact Fun. One of Big Blue Door’s summer 2017 run. Performed with Dancing Pilots. JL Lawrence, Larry Goldstein, Will May, Deborah Arenstein, Keaton Ray, Erik Swanson, and Ryan Wender.
Dancing Pilots. Susan Gorman, Todd Kasen, David Luzader, Kirk Martini, Debby Prum, and Marjory Ruderman.
Dish. An indy team put together by Nauder Namaky featuring elements of monoscene, audience interviews, and montage. With a pick-up group of performers.
Feminine Hijinks. Fall run 2017. Performed with Suburban Dictionary. Susan Gorman, Marjory Ruderman, Debby Arenstein, Debby Prum, and Rachel Showalter.
Suburban Dictionary. Fall run 2017. Performed with Feminine Hijinks. Kirk Martini, Todd Kasen, Nauder Namaky, Erik Swanson, Will May, Keaton Ray, and Nick Quillen.
2018
Feminine Hijinks. Winter run 2018. Returns with fall lineup Deborah Prum, Marjory Ruderman, Deborah Arenstein, Rachel Showalter, and Susan Gorman, plus veteran Kelsey Keverline, plus Jessie Conover.
Bunch. Winter run 2018. Veterans Keaton Ray, David Luzader, Larry Goldstein, and Max Hoecker, and Nick Quillen.
The Living Room. Spring run 2018. Veterans Keaton Ray, Deborah Prum, Marjory Ruderman, Rachel Showalter, Susan Gorman, and JL Lawrence. Bios here.
For Big Blue Door’s 2018 Summer Run we had groups meeting together and mixing and matching for each show. Newcomers D Webster, Tim Gorman, and Steve Sanderson joined veterans Susan Gorman, Debby Prum, Erik Swanson, Kirk Martini, Nick Quillen, Todd Kasen, Max Hoecker, Keaton Ray, Jessie Conover, and Marjory Ruderman.
Product Placement. Fall 2018. Features newcomer Rachel Edwards with veterans Marjory Ruderman, Susan Gorman, Tim Gorman, Debby Prum, David Luzader, and Kirk Martini. Directed by Joel Jones. Full bios here.
Latte Farm. Fall 2018. Features veterans Deborah Arenstein, Rachel Showalter, Steve Sanderson, Erik Swanson, Max Hoecker, Jessie Conover, and Todd Kasen! Directed by Keaton Ray. Full bios here.
2019
Feminine Hijinks. Winter 2019. Popular team returns rested and ready with Deborah Prum, Marjory Ruderman, Deborah Arenstein, Rachel Showalter, Rachel Edwards, Susan Gorman, and Jessie Conover! Directed by Nauder Namaky. Full bios here.
Just Cause. Winter 2019. Five person group Steve Sanderson, Erik Swanson, David Luzader, Larry Goldstein, and Tim Gorman! Directed by Keaton Ray. Full bios here.
Boho Baby. Spring 2019. Brand new combination of veteran performers Marjory Ruderman, Susan Gorman, Todd Kasen, David Luzader, and Steve Sanderson! Under the direction of Joel Jones. Bios here.
Tornado Warning. Spring 2019. Big Blue Door’s brand new team with newcomers Katie Straight, Otter Moutenot, Sarah Adams, and Dave Priest, plus veteran Kirk Martini! Under the direction of Nauder Namaky. Bios here.
Hula Pants. Performed with Snuffy the Fire Squirrel summer 2019. Todd Kasen, David Luzader, Steve Sanderson, Debby Prum, Kirk Martini, Erik Swanson, and Will May! Under the direction of Rachel Showalter. Bios here.
Snuffy the Fire Squirrel. Performed with Hula pants summer 2019. Katie Straight, Otter Moutenot, Sarah Adams, Dave Priest, Max Hoecker, Susan Gorman, and Nauder Namaky! Under the direction of Joel Jones. Bios here.
Mrs Stevens’ Basement. Performed with Janky Scamps fall 2019. Brian Weisbrod, Debby Prum, Kirk Martini, Max Hoecker, Susan Gorman, and Marjory Ruderman. Under the direction of Nauder Namaky. Bios here.
Janky Scamps. Performed with Mrs Stevens’ Basement fall 2019. Keaton Ray, Otter Moutenot, Sarah Adams, Dave Priest, Todd Kasen, David Luzader, and Erik Swanson! Under the direction of Rachel Showalter. Bios here.
2020
Teen Cartel. Winter 2020. Performed with Shrewd Echdina. Debby Prum, Brian Weisbrod, Susan Gorman, Max Hoecker, Sarah Adams, and Will May. Coached by Marjory Ruderman. Full bios here.
Shrewd Echidna. Winter 2020. Performed with Teen Cartel. Keaton Ray, Rachel Showalter, Todd Kasen, Nauder Namaky, and Steve Sanderson. Coached by David Luzader. Full bios here.
The remainder of 2020 was cancelled due to Covid-19.
2021
Regular team performance groups were suspended for 2021 due to a pandemic.
2022
Regular team performance groups were suspended for 2022 due to a pandemic.
2023
Big Blue Door Summer Run. We began performances again in the summer of 2023 with a performance group changing show by show. Full cast included veterans Debby Prum, Steve Sanderson, Erik Swanson, Brian Weisbrod, Rachel Showalter, Deborah Arenstein, Todd Kasen, and Marjory Ruderman, plus newcomers Adrienne Wood, Mel Belardi, Teja Vadlamudi, Jordan Breeding, Dan Rossberg, and Heidi Shaner. Bios here.
Big Blue Door Fall Run. We followed the same format as the Summer Run with members reassigned to groups every show. Full cast was Debby Prum, Adrienne Wood, Teja Vadlamudi, Erik Swanson, Brian Weisbrod, Rachel Showalter, Deborah Arenstein, Todd Kasen, Jordan Breeding, Marjory Ruderman, Sarah Adams, and Keaton Ray. Bios here.
2024
Kappa Delta Lady. Spring 2024. (Performed with Brain Angel.) Caitlin Levine, Otter Moutenot, Sarah Adams, Deborah Arenstein, Erik Swanson, Robin Karr, and Debby Prum. Coached by Marjory Ruderman. Bios here.
Brain Angels. Spring 2024. (Performed with Kappa Delta Lady.) Robin Hyer, Jordan Breeding, Marie Gaglione, Rachel Showalter, Chris Collins, Keaton Ray, Teja Vadlamudi, Todd Kasen. Coached by Brian Weisbrod. Bios here.
Single Parent Neighborhood is Robin Karr, Caitlin Levine, Christopher ‘Otter’ Moutenot, Marjory Ruderman, Joel Jones, and Maria Gaglione. Coached by Deborah Arenstein. Bios here.
La Leche Legal is Chris Collins, Robin Hyer, Todd Kasen, Keaton Ray, Ellie Black, and Kevin Sawyer. Coached by Rachel Showalter. Bios here.
Tater Tots & the Butter Buds. (Performed with Sweet Succulents) Deb Arenstein, Rachel Showalter, Robin Karr, Caitlin Levine, Christopher ‘Otter’ Moutenot, and Adrienne Wood. Directed by Marjory Ruderman! Bios here.
Sweet Succulents. (Performed with Tater Tots) Todd Kasen, Ellie Black, Kevin Sawyer, Maria Gaglione, Jordan Breeding, and Teja Vadlamudi. Directed by Keaton Ray! Bios here.
2025
The Last Improv Show on Earth. (Performed in winter 2025 with Y3K) Ellie Black, Kevin Sawyer, Jordan Breeding, Teja Vadlamudi, Keaton Ray, Robin Hyer, Caitline Levine, Adrienne Wood, Mel Belardi, and Sarah Adams. Directed by Rachel Showalter and Deborah Arenstein. Bios here.
Y3K. (Performed in winter run with The Last Improv Show on Earth) Big Blue Door’s awesome Middle School team Kat, Lucy, and Ellie!
I Am KGB. (Performed in spring run with Foul Play and Ladies Who Lunch) Adrienne Wood, Lydia Cuffman, Steve Sanderson, Lisa Brook, Mel Belardi, Alex Berr, and Caitlin Levine. Directed by Joel Jones. Bios here.
Ladies Who Lunch. (Performed in spring run with I Am KGB and Foul Play) Otter Moutenont, Alena Mackay-Smith, Leah Esslinger, Sarah Adams, Jim Hughes. Directed by Joel Jones. Bios here.
Foul Play. (The Cast of How to Get Away with Murder Improv; performed in spring and summer). Teja Vadlamudi, Keaton Ray, Marjory Ruderman, Robin Hyer, and Jordan Breeding. Directed by Rachel Showalter and Deborah Arenstein.
Hot Froth. (Performed in summer with Backup Husband and Foul Play) Alena Mackay-Smith, Leah Esslinger, Jim Hughes, Kim Scott, Lisa Ryan, and Rie Harris. Directed by Jordan Breeding. Bios here.
Backup Husband. (Performed in summer with Hot Froth and Foul Play) Adrienne Wood, Steve Sanderson, Lisa Brook, Mel Belardi, Alex Berr, William Edmisten, Savannah Page, and Katie Noorbakhsh. Directed by Keaton Ray. Bios here.
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