Magnet Theater
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Magnet Theater is an improvisational comedy theater and school in New York City. The Magnet Theater was founded in March 2005 by Armando Diaz, Ed Herbstman, Shannon Manning, and Alex Marino. Diaz, Herbstman, and Manning were friends from Chicago where they all studied under improv guru Del Close. Diaz also founded the Peoples Improv Theater (PIT), where Herbstman and Marino taught.
The Magnet offers performance and writing classes to people of all experience levels. The faculty is headed by Diaz and features Second City alumni Abby Sher, Jean Villepique, Rachel Hamilton, and Scott Sherman.
The emergence of the Magnet cements Manhattan's Chelsea neighborhood as a true improv district (Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre, Peoples Improv Theater, Gotham City Improv) and furthers New York's reputation as a vibrant center for longform improvisation.
The theater features nightly shows, including:
- Tiny Spectacular—Magnet faculty are joined by friends and fellow Second City alumni, including Mike Myers (Saturday Night Live, Wayne's World, Austin Powers)
- Magnetosphere—student ensembles perform various improv forms, including the Harold, monoscene, montage and freeze tag
- Megawatt—resident ensembles perform various improv forms, including the Harold, monoscene, montage and freeze tag
- Ampers&nd Duo Improv—weekly showcase of city's most talented improv duos, hosted by David Furfero
- Under the Influence—part comedy show/part poetry reading, improvisers take their inspiration from some of America's most esteemed poets
- Ash Wednesday—variety show of sketch, improv, and stand-up comedy, hosted by improv group Evel Cathedral
