Oui Be Negroes

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[edit] History

Oui Be Negroes is considered the original African American Improvisational/Sketch Comedy Ensemble in the country

Founded by Artistic Director Shaun Landry and Director Hans Summers, they worked together for years in Chicago with the Underground Theatre Conspiracy, and had thrown around the idea of an African American driven Sketch and Improvisational Comedy Troupe, which would be geared specifically toward social & political humor.

In 1993, Landry actively went seeking actors of color and ran upon them at The Second City Outreach Program. There she assembled the original ensemble Along with Summers as the lone Caucasian member, they mounted Oui Be Negroes’ first show at Cafe Voltaire in Chicago.

OBN has toured all over the United States from New York to Los Angeles to Austin Texas, in addition to shows in Canada and the Netherlands

In year 2000, Oui Be Negroes relocated from its birth place in Chicago to their new home in San Francisco California. There they have continued producing sketch and improvisational show as well as being the house ensemble of The San Francisco Improv Alliance