Four Month Review

Four Month Review

Can it be so? We are four months into laughter at the After Hours Improv Theater. We have met some really great people that have come out to discover what we mean when we say “Serious Comedy.” But did you know this whole thing very nearly never got off the ground? Let me enlighten you...

A Little AHI History

AHI was born in 2004 out of an improv workshop led by our current artistic director, Eric Craddock. From that workshop came the original four cast members of AHI, Shari Alfaro, Smiley Alfaro, Eric Craddock and Patrick M. Wilson. We had our first public performance at The College Street Pub, right down the street from where the AHI Theater is today.

We performed through 2007 at The Texas Theater, also one of our current neighbors in downtown Waxahachie. But at the end of the 2007 season, the then owner decided to close the Texas Theater and so we were homeless yet again. We looked around for a new place to move but had little luck. In 2008 The Texas Theater was purchased by the City of Waxahachie and AHI interviewed for a chance to manage the theater, but alas, we were not selected to manage the historic theater.

Feeling quite dejected, AHI was one step away from saying “so long” to the idea of having our own place. Then came the Roger’s Hotel.

Summer 2009

AHI went from nearly closing it’s doors one week, to signing a lease at our current home inside the beautiful Roger’s Hotel. What a ride.

And we have you to thank. Ellis county and our surrounding neighbors, we are here for you. Here to help you relax on the weekend at a price that won’t break the bank. Here to allow you and your family to come and enjoy a night out in an environment where all ages are welcomed and have a great time.

We want to be THE place for you and your family to go when you want a night out. And you can absolutely do it all under one roof. Within the Roger’s Hotel, now affectionaly known as The Noco, you will find Zula’s Coffee House, and The Dish Restaurant. All of whom share the same passion and desire to serve our community.

Thank you all for a great start to a dream! We look forward to many hilarious nights together!

Murder Mystery Dinner Theater

We are super excited to announce a new attraction at the After Hours Improv Theater. This is sure to be a hit and a great way to spend the evening. We will be partnering with The Dish Restaurant to present a night of murder and mayhem.

"Murder At The Four Deuces" is a rip roaring, 1920's gangster murder mystery, with lots of murder, bribery and back stabbing to be had! Enjoy a delicious dinner and dessert catered by The Dish and become a part of the mystery in this unscripted event where you determine your own fate. Costumes are strongly encouraged and will help you get "in character".

Join us for the very first event on Friday, December 11 at 7 PM. Seating is limited and we are sure to sell out fast. Tickets are $30 per person and includes a three course dinner catered by The Dish.

One Month Down

Hard to believe that we are now one month into the theater being open. Time has felt like it has sped up dramatically. I thought I would take a moment to tell all of you who have attended one of our shows this past month, thanks! We couldn’t be more pleased with the response so far and hope that as we continue to offer family-friendly entertainment, that more people will jump on the AHI bandwagon.

Now, you may not think that an improv comedian can be analytical. But, on the contrary. I am extremely left-brained. Let’s just say that I have spreadsheets, charts, and diagrams for most everything in my daily life. It is because of this special ability that I can share with you the following cool statistics:

AHI has entertained 412 people this month! Among those 412 audience members, 5 were children. Those 412 people laughed on average 158 times per show. Three of them wet their pants and one had other issues.

So, a big thanks to all of you for making our debut a huge success. We will be bringing more great comedy your way as well as a few other surprises (stay tuned)!

Smiley & Shari

So far, so GREAT!

We are nearing one month since the opening of the theater and the crowds have been awesome! We are extremely excited to offer this “clean-comedy” venue and think that all who come will have a great experience. The stand-up comedians who have come out have all been very excited about the venue and say they can’t wait to return.

The improv shows have been a huge hit. Every Saturday night we are super stoked to see that 75-80% of the house is full. Audience feedback has been overwhelming supportive and everyone I have talked to after the show has said how glad they are that we are there offering a great form of entertainment that the whole family can enjoy together.

This weekend, October 23-24 is going to be an incredibly busy weekend for the After Hours Improv Theater, as well as for the entire town of Waxahachie, because this weekend is the Texas Country Reporter Festival. An estimated 30 thousand people descend on the historic downtown square for all kinds of special events. The After Hours Improv Theater welcomes all who plan to come out and will be offering the following special events this Saturday:

AHI Theater October 23-24 Schedule of Events:

Friday October 23 - Join us for a night of hilarious stand-up comedy. Click Here to check out this weeks featured comics.

Saturday October 24 -

9AM - 3PM - The AHI Theater will be giving tours of the historic Roger’s Hotel. Don’t miss this chance to learn about the unique history of this great building, as well as the exciting plans for the future.

10AM, 11AM, 1:15PM, 2:15PM, 3:15PM - The very talented, and very funny, Darren Collins, will entertain crowds with his unique show featuring a little magic, a little juggling, and A LOT of funny.

4PM - The cast of After Hours Improv takes the stage for an early matinee show.

8PM - The cast of After Hours Improv puts on their hilarious improvisational comedy show derived entirely from audience suggestions.

Hope to see you there!

Smiley

It's time to play the music. It's time to light the lights...

A lot of time has past between posts, and for that I apologize. But, I have a really good excuse. We have been working overtime to get the theater and show polished for our grand opening. And now, as I type this blog entry, we are inside 24 hours from opening night.

The theater, cast and crew are ready! We would have never got to this point without the help from some great people. I want to take some time now to recognize those that really helped out.

The Weise Family and Jake Hinton - What can I say, you built our stage and sound booth for us! An awesome family that simply gets the job done. My kind of people!

Ron Craddock - Ron stepped in with the stage build out to lend expert advice on getting the job done. Thanks Ron!

Our families - From babysitting, and offering words of encouragement, you have all been there to support us. Thanks, and we love you all!

Erick Craddock & Patrick Wilson - Who would have thought that after meeting a little over five years ago, that we would be at this point. Thanks for making this journey with us!

Our Cast and Crew - No one said we were easy people to work with, but you have all stuck by our side! Thanks for helping us create this wonderful theater.

And to those that will come to opening night and future shows I want to say thanks in advance. It is you and your uncontrolled laughter that makes the long hours worth the effort. Keep bringing us those crazy suggestions to build the show from, and we will keep trying to make you laugh...

Smiley and Shari Alfaro

It's Go Time

Well, opening night is right around the corner. And, for the most part, everything is in place. There are minor details to attend to, but for the most part, we are ready. I'll just be glad to start performing and selling tickets. Because you know what? Soft costs suck.

Soft cost you ask? Yes. A term I have grown to despise. Apparently this is a term used mostly in the construction business. One that I had no idea existed until this summer. Apparently, the term is used to describe the cost of doing business before you begin to start taking in revenue. Not sure why it is called "soft costs." It should be termed, "demoralizing costs," or perhaps, "costs that really suck."

For those of you starting your own business, a word of advice. Account for the "costs that really suck" (soft costs). Expect for the unexpected. I don't even want to think of how much we have spent on small items that, once tallied altogether, should make me want to hurl.

But, one great thing so far... we have only had to finance a small amount to get off the ground.

So all in all, we are in good shape.

Smiley Alfaro

After Hours Improv Theater

www.AfterHoursImprov.com

Movin and Shakin

We are about three weeks away from opening night. I have to admit that the past 2-3 months has been a blur. It is really hard to believe that this whole thing is about to get off the ground. And to think, we very nearly started looking to move one week prior to finding the location for the theater...

Shari and I had all but decided that After Hours Improv had a great ride but it was time to move on. Our son had come along and things were changing for us. When the city didn't select us to manage the local theater, we felt that we had missed a great opportunity but had given the interview process our best shot. When it didn't happen, we decided that we would start looking to move north to get closer to my job (day job that is...).

But it seemed God had other plans, and as always, showed that patience would be rewarded and what we saw as a negative He knew wasn't the best for our company. The NoCo Complex was just getting ready to start leasing space out when Shari and I passed by the building. When we saw that the number for the leasing agent had changed, we decided to call and see what we could find out. That one phone call started a whirlwind of events that brings us to where we are today.

The buildings owner, Larry Burns, has a great vision and, more importantly, plan, for turning the former Roger's Hotel into a destination location. In addition to our theater, there will be restaurants and bars, live entertainment, and from what I have heard mentioned, world-class blues acts that will frequent the NoCo.

Things are really movin & shakin at the corner of College and Main in downtown Waxahachie. I hope the citizens of Ellis county can come and enjoy a night out. And for those north of I-20, there is plenty of reason to come down to Waxahachie and enjoy the day and NIGHT.

I look forward to seeing at the NoCo!

Smiley Alfaro

Owner

After Hours Improv Theater

100 North College (NoCo)

Waxahachie, TX

972-937-9839

www.AfterHoursImprov.com

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