Welcome

Hello all,

It is your humble doorman here, John Feightner the name. If you're new to our little dog and pony show, let me be the second person* to say, "Welcome."

I'm hoping many of you will find your way back to our show week after week. If you've made it past the basement monsters, sat through one show, and actually taken the time to click the link that lead to this bloggity-blog-blog, I assume you've taken an interest already. We're here all year, so don't be a stranger. Join us. We are not a cult.

This is your show, folks. FNI was started years ago by a dreaded flock of theater students who wanted to run an improv workshop. They were a talented bunch and gathered new performers week after week, as well as picking up a few people who just wanted to watch. On most college campuses (campii?), this would have eventually turned into an improv troupe: a gangly set of hopeful geeks presenting their own shows at coffee houses and campus events. Instead, these proto-FNIers decided to create a community. A place where anyone could perform. They rented a theater and made admission as cheap as they could make it. And we've kept the tradition running. FNI is not a money making machine. It's just a space. A space for you.

FNI is different every week. It's informed by the people in it. So bring your thoughts, bring your ideas, bring your weird. Bring whatever baggage you got; we'll add heat and stir.

If you've felt it already, it's all true: FNI is one of the most unique little gifts this 'Burgh has to offer. You won't find it anywhere else. No one else is stupid enough to show up every week with no show, no performers, and hope that everything works out.

And it has worked out. For 21 years we've kept the fires burning. It's your turn to stir the coals.

So remember the words of our elders: Fear not failure. Welcome your performers. Be courteous. Remember to listen. Respect the space.

And everbody have fun tonight.



*Ben has beaten me to the punch, but, then again, that's his job.