GreenRoom brings excitement of improv to all ages
Since the beginning, GreenRoom has performed their unique improv show for thousands of people both old and young alike.
Hunter explained, “We are an ensemble-based theater company that is comprised of eight or nine members who perform in our improv shows on the first Saturday of every month. It's kind of like 'Whose Line is it Anyway?', if you've seen that show.”
GreenRoom's improvisers take audience suggestions and true-life audience stories and turn them into hilarious theater pieces right before your eyes. Their unscripted show includes competing improv teams, improvised songs, audience members on stage, tons of energy and even a live band!
GreenRoom tackles other theatre too.
“In addition to improv shows, we do other productions throughout
the year. We do plays, musicals, skits, comedy, cabaret and other types of theatre productions where we actually hold auditions and have other local talent come and perform on stage with us,” said Hunter.
The GreenRoom unofficially started in 1999 when Judson College in Elgin, canceled its theater program. At that time, there were several students interested in performing theater so they began to produce their own shows. Their first show was entitled “The GreenRoom,” and it was comprised of several sketches and improv games. It was an immediate hit on campus. After a year of producing their own shows, the group was hired to develop a show for a nearby entertainment complex. GreenRoom Productions was born!
Billing themselves as family-friendly (100% clean. 99.27% hilarious), a feature that separates GreenRoom from other improv groups, they frequently have 5- and 6-year olds in their audience. With the mission to enrich lives by providing diverse, quality, theatrical entertainment that is safe for families, Hunter said, “We really try to bring the magic of theatre to the people who come to our shows.”
You can catch their signature show at Improv Saturdays on the first Saturday of the month (excluding January) at the Cabaret Theatre at the Hemmens Cultural Center, 45 Symphony Way in downtown Elgin. For tickets, call The Hemmens Box Office at (847) 931-5900 or visit hemmens.org.