Recently CIC was nominated for the Emerging Theater Broadway in Chicago award. We asked folks if they would like to write some letters of support for us to send in with our application for the award. Here is one of those letters:
Dear League of Chicago Theatres,
We, the Basic Eight, wish to take this opportunity to support the nomination of Chemically Imbalanced Comedy Theater (CIC) for the 2009 Broadway in Chicago Emerging Theater Award.
The Basic Eight is an ensemble that performs improv comedy and writes and performs other comedic theatrical productions in Chicago and other venues around the country and in Canada. Additionally, the Basic Eight performs regularly as a house improv comedy ensemble at the Playground Theater, an artist-lead, cooperative theater company that promotes all aspects of improv as an art form.
In 2006, the seven cast members of the Basic Eight graduated from an improv comedy training center in the city which often provides to some of its graduates the opportunity to perform at its theater. We were not cast at that theater, but despite some initial discouragement, we chose to pursue performance opportunities elsewhere in the city. The task is not a simple one, as thousands of improv performers must compete for performance space in a limited number of venues. Without so much as an audition DVD, CIC gave us an opportunity we needed.
For close to three years now, the Basic Eight has performed monthly with CIC’s weekend Comedy Showcase. The theater has supported our efforts to bring a unique and quality product to a following that has expanded from simply our friends and family to regular patrons of improv comedy and even distinguished performers.
Our success at CIC is not limited to performance. Our experiences onstage at CIC with CIC ensembles and other guests have awarded us additional performance opportunities and strong friendships with the company. We are truly fortunate and appreciative t be involved with such an outstanding group of performers.
While we have found a permanent home theater outside of CIC, we remain incredibly thankful and indebted to CIC and excite in our continued monthly performances at their wonderful new theater in North Lakeview. We hope that the League considers the Chemically Imbalanced Comedy Theater company as the strongest candidate for the 2009 Broadway in Chicago Emerging Theater Award.
Cordially,
The Basic Eight
Trey Chambers, Mel Evans, Brian Finlay, Curt Foxworth, Kara Jakubec, Drew Korb, and
Amy Verdon – Cast
Derrick Aguis – Director
Thanks for the letter of support on behalf of CiC. I will pass along your note for consideration to the nominating committee for the emerging theater award.