Magnet Theater

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The Magnet Theater is an improvisational comedy theater and improv school in New York City. Out of all the improv theaters in the city, Magnet is known for having a more theatrical feel to its productions. Its location in Manhattan's Chelsea neighborhood helps cement the neighborhood's reputation as an improv district.[1]

The Magnet Theater was founded in March 2005 by Armando Diaz, Ed Herbstman, Shannon Manning, and Alex Marino. Diaz, Manning, and Herbstman were friends from Chicago where they studied under improv guru Del Close at Improv Olympic. Diaz also founded the Peoples Improv Theater (PIT), where Herbstman and Marino taught. Diaz, Herbstman and Marino currently own Magnet Theater.[2][3]

The Magnet offers performance and writing classes to people of all experience levels. The faculty is headed by Diaz and features The Second City alumni Abby Sher, Jean Villepique, Rachel Hamilton, and The Annoyance Theatre alumnus Gary Rudoren.[3] The majority of Magnet Theater's shows are made up of performers who have completed the training program, thus Magnet's philosophies of improv are always practiced onstage. 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.

[edit] References

  1. ^ Saki Knafo (2007-10-28). Class Clowns. The New York Times. Retrieved on 2008-03-12.
  2. ^ Magnet Theater. Time Out New York. Retrieved on 2008-03-12.
  3. ^ a b Steven McElroy (2006-10-27). The Listings: Oct 27 - Nov 2; 'The Armando Diaz Experience'. The New York Times. Retrieved on 2008-03-12.

[edit] External links

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