We at IRTE want to express our heart felt thanks for everyone who contributed to and shared our 2020 fundraising campaign.
We reached 30% of our goal to raise $7000! This may not seem like much, but it will be enough to cover the losses of "Diner on the Edge", our season opener that closed early due to the novel corona virus outbreak.
It also gives us something to have "in the tank" as we look forward to starting up the rest of our season this coming fall. We also look forward to seeing you there!
A note to all our contributors who picked special perks. It may take a little more time to get them delivered because of covid-19 mitigation procedures in the New York City area. But, rest assured, the perks will be on their way. Thank you for your understanding. And again...
THANK YOU ALL FOR BEING SUCH WONDERFUL SUPPORTERS OF OUR COMEDIC WORK!!
Stay safe, and take care,
IRTE
25% Reached! Thank You!
IRTE has surpassed 25% of its fundraising goal!
Thank you so much to all of you who have been a part of our campaign by either directly contributing, or by circulating the news with friends and family. It means a great deal to us that so many wish our success, and are supporting our efforts to come back stronger than ever.
There are only a couple days left in our fundraiser, so please, continue to be a part of our campaign to bring small, independent comedy theatre back to NYC once the stay-at-home order is lifted - Keep telling everyone you know that there is still time to make a tax deductible donation!
Please, stay healthy and safe everyone!
Love to all from IRTE!
Our First Goal Reached!
As many of you know, our theater was closed down for the foreseeable future in order to slow the spread of Covid-19. Before that time, we were only able to bring two performances of "Diner on the Edge" to appreciative audiences.
We also had started our on-line fundraiser with one goal in mind: support for the 2020 season. But, as the world changed, our goals changed. We now had two goals we wanted to reach:
1) to help us cover the losses "Diner on the Edge" has suffered, over $1,600. 2) to prepare for a future in which IRTE is up and running and performing at full strength once again.
With one week left to go in our fundraising campaign, I'm happy to announce our first goal has been reached! Thank you to everyone who has helped us reach it! Every contribution has meant the world to us.
We look forward to reaching our second goal in the final days of our campaign. If you haven't yet had the opportunity, please consider making a tax deductible donation today. If you have, thank you again, and you can continue helping our efforts by tweeting and sharing our campaign on Facebook.
With great appreciation, Everyone here at IRTE
An Unexpected Short Season
Since Covid-19, or novel corona virus, reached our shores, American life has been upended. Our way of life has been completely altered. From being asked to stay inside to closing our workplaces to worrying about our friends and family, this invisible enemy is forcing us to make sacrifices few of us would have imagined three months ago (or even three weeks ago).
In NYC, all theaters have shutdown, from Broadway to the Producers Club, the small theater where IRTE brings their unique brand of improvised comedy to life. The shows we were so excited to craft and present this year have either been cancelled or postponed indefinitely. "Diner on the Edge" was cancelled after just two performances to significantly limited audience. "Lonely Death of L Harris" has been postponed until further notice. We still hold out hope that we will be able to bring "The Marvelous Mrs McCluskey" to life in the not-so-distant future.
Our fundraising campaign continues though. However, it is now a campaign with two goals. One is to help us cover the losses "Diner on the Edge" has suffered, over $1,600. The second is to prepare for a future in which IRTE is up and running and performing at full strength once again. Your contributions for either cause means so much to us. You can also play a part by sharing our campaign with friends and family through any social media site you use.
It is a difficult time for everybody. Do all you can to stay healthy, and ensure the health of others.
We Are IRTE
The Improvisational Repertory Theatre Ensemble welcomes you to our 2020 season fundraising campaign.
IRTE is a New York City-based, award-winning company of improvisational actors, producers, and creators of original, character-driven improvisational comedy theater. Our 2020 season has us enjoying our 9th year of creating, producing and performing never before (or since) seen theatrical productions that weave together the best elements of improvisational comedy and traditional theater, live musical performance, and opportunities for audience interaction with every show.
This season IRTE is happy to present 2 new and original shows: Diner on the Edge and The Lonely Death of L. Harris, as well as the third installment in the “Stupid Kid” trilogy, The Marvelous Mrs. McCluskey.
With our 2020 season, IRTE now has over three dozen distinct productions under our collective belt that have been performed in New York City and all over the country at various theater festivals, but that’s not all that we do. We also host workshops for actors and improvisers every season, giving many performers opportunities to expand their skill sets and their community. This season we are excited to host a clown workshop with Carol Lee Sirugo, and improvisation workshops with master teachers, Scotty Watson and Aretha Sills, not to mention IRTE's own Props Workshop, and perhaps one or two additional workshops as yet undetermined.
IRTE is also honored to partner with High 5 Tickets to the Arts, ArtsConnection's resource for young people to experience the best dance, music, theater, film, and visual arts New York City has to offer.
IRTE is no different than any other arts organization in that we, too, count on the support of generous donors, such as yourself, to help us bring our vision into the world. Where we differ is in the size and reach of our pool of resources. While IRTE supports itself in part through ticket sales, as well as a year-end call for contributions, this fundraising campaign (the one you’re looking at right now) is our primary source of support to make our season of shows and workshops happen.
New York City is an incredibly competitive market for live entertainment, and our small ensemble does all of the heavy lifting to share what we do with our growing audience and performing community. This includes renting rehearsal and performance space, paying directors, technical crew and the teachers who lead our workshops, promoting our shows, attending festivals both in New York City and out of state, and much more.
Since 2014, IRTE has been a sponsored project of Fractured Atlas, a non-profit arts service organization. Contributions for the charitable purposes of IRTE must be made payable to “Fractured Atlas” only. Any contribution above the value of the goods and services received by the donor is tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law.
Cold, Hard Numbers
The total budget for IRTE’s 2019 NYC season was $7101. The vast majority of that was for rehearsal and performance space rental. As these rates continue to rise each year, we do what we can to find creative ways to keep our budget manageable. That said, we project that IRTE’s 2020 season will cost approximately $7000, not including the costs of performing in (and getting to) festivals around the United States. That’s 3 original productions, 6 performances each, plus the aforementioned costs related to mounting and promoting those shows.
As a share-based theater company, IRTE ensemble members and their guest performers (gIRTEs), contribute equally to cover the costs of each production. In return, all ticket sales are divided equally among company members and guest performers after the run. Your contributions go a long way in helping to offset these expenses, putting money back in our pockets, and helping to support artists working hard to share their gifts and talents with the world. Every dollar we receive through our fundraising campaign also helps us to keep our ticket prices down so that we can continue providing high quality and hilarious improvisational comedy theater to a growing audience.
IRTE’s 2020 Season Shows
One of the biggest thrills of being an independent theater company is pitching, choosing, and then creating a season of shows that we’re all excited to be a part of. This season we’re doing something new and giving 3 productions 6 performances each. This will give us more time to explore and develop new, fun, and interesting characters that inhabit the unique worlds we create with our original productions.
Here are the productions we’re excited to bring to audiences for our 2020 season!
Every contribution to support something you believe in is a reward in and of itself, AND we also love to give you free stuff! Check out our fabulous rewards for some of the different levels of giving. You’re free to contribute and leave it at that, and we also welcome you to peruse some of the goodies we have for you as another way to THANK YOU for your generosity and support. Rewards range from simple shout out or “thank you” on social media, to great books and cds from some of our talented friends, to IRTE 2020 season tickets, to your own IRTE show crafted especially for you.
The honor and privilege of creating the kind of improvised comedy theater that we love is very rewarding, and we also greatly appreciate the awards and kind words we’ve received over the years. Here are a few highlights we’d like to share with you…
Winner: Best Comedy for ‘Tammy’s Bachelorette’ - Tucson Fringe Festival 2020
Winner: “Artists Whose Work Made Me Laugh The Most” for ‘Happy Birthday, Stupid Kid!’ - Asheville Fringe Arts Festival 2017
Winner: 2014 SHITFA (Supreme Honorary Improvised Theatre and Film Award) Outstanding Genre Performance for ‘THE SCARY, Improvised Stephen King’
Nominated: Outstanding Variety Performance for ‘Happy Birthday, Stupid Kid!’ in 2017 and for ‘Dig’ in 2016 at the Midtown International Theatre Festival
Awarded Certificate of Appreciation from ArtsConnection
Since 1979, ArtsConnection has provided innovative arts programming to millions of students in the New York City public school system, enhancing children’s intellectual, personal and social growth, while developing award-winning educational models. ArtsConnection’s programming for students, professional development, and research all contribute to a comprehensive approach, nationally recognized for its quality, design and impact across diverse learning communities.
“...IRTE manages to strike a balance between both well-written comedic structure and pure improv, while also using both audience engagement and a creative assortment of props and makeup to stay on a low indie budget and still be uniquely laugh out loud funny...” - Anthony Piccione, OnStage Blog
“If a John Waters movie and Ex Machina had a baby, it might look like WOWEE! ADVENTURES OF A GIRL KILLBOT… This reviewer snorted with laughter.” - First Looks - PortFringe 2018!
Join in on the fun - let us know if you'd like to work box office or tech for us and see the show for free!
Rewards
Shout Out!
Donate $5.00 or more
Amount is fully tax-deductible.
We'll give you a "shout out" on Twitter to Thank You for your contribution!
Postcard
Donate $10.00 or more
Amount over $1.00 is tax-deductible.
We'll Tweet our "Thank You" to you AND send you an IRTE Show Postcard signed by all of us at IRTE!
Poster
Donate $20.00 or more
Amount over $8.00 is tax-deductible.
We’ll send you an Official IRTE Show Poster from one of the 2020 season’s productions autographed just for you! (Estimated delivery: August 2020)
Autographed Tym Moss CD
Donate $25.00 or more
Amount over $10.00 is tax-deductible.
An autographed CD by singer and performer extraordinaire, Tym Moss, one of IRTE's favorite musical guests! (Estimated delivery: August 2020)
T-shIRTE
Donate $50.00 or more
Amount over $20.00 is tax-deductible.
Receive an original IRTE t-shirt! (Estimated delivery: August 2020)
Season Pass
Donate $90.00 or more
Amount over $45.00 is tax-deductible.
Get the VIP treatment with a Season Pass to IRTE’s entire 2020 season and see all of our shows! (Offer available only for IRTE's 2020 season)
IRTE Postcards Collector's Set
Donate $100.00 or more
Amount over $50.00 is tax-deductible.
An extremely limited edition that includes a Show Postcard from EVERY IRTE SHOW! 38 Show Postcards delivered to you. (Estimated delivery: August 2020)
Walk-on Role
Donate $250.00 or more
Amount over $75.00 is tax-deductible.
Be a part of the action! In addition to an IRTE Season Pass, we’ll bring you up onstage and have you be a part of the cast at one of our performances! AND you’ll get an autographed IRTE Show Poster to help you keep the memory alive for years to come! (Available only in New York City)
Your Own IRTE Video
Donate $450.00 or more
Amount over $200.00 is tax-deductible.
In addition to a Season Pass for all of IRTE’s 2020 season shows, when you send us your own idea, we’ll film an improvised scene based on your suggestion and send it to you! (Estimated delivery: August 2020)
'Ask Me How This Happens' book by Sam Katz
Donate $500.00 or more
Amount over $300.00 is tax-deductible.
Limited edition, signed, numbered, coffee table book, Ask Me How This Happens, a script, a scrapbook, a memoir. 480-pages and lavishly illustrated, gIRTE Sam Katz’s autobiography is a love story gone horribly awry in the corporate jungle at NBC. Shipping and press/promotional kit included. (Estimated delivery: August 2020)
IRTE Bonanza!
Donate $1,000.00 or more
Amount over $400.00 is tax-deductible.
Receive an awesome package of amazing IRTE stuff!! IRTE Video - we’ll film an improvised scene based on your suggestion, and send it to you Walk-on Role - be part of the action at one of IRTE’s NYC performances 2 season passes - one for both you and a guest T-shIRTE Show Poster Autographed CD from Tym Moss, one of IRTE's special guest musical artists Autographed copy of 'Scotty Watson's Improv Tips' book, complete with crayons (Walk-on role available only in New York City) (Estimated delivery for other items: August 2020)
Event Appearance
Donate $3,000.00 or more
Amount over $1,000.00 is tax-deductible.
Invite IRTE to a birthday or a special event and we'll provide a 1/2-hour improvised show as your unique entertainment for that special occasion! Plus, receive 2 Season Passes! (Available only in New York City)
Your Own IRTE Show
Donate $5,000.00 or more
Amount over $1,500.00 is tax-deductible.
Every performance offers our audience members a chance to join in the fun by giving their suggestions. This reward allows you to have an ENTIRE SHOW created JUST FOR YOU! Give us a show name and concept and IRTE will create a one-night-only production especially for you and your guests! Plus, receive 2 Season Passes! (Available only in New York City)
The Ultimate IRTE Experience!!!
Donate $7,000.00 or more
Amount over $4,000.00 is tax-deductible.
Fund our entire 2020 season and you will be well rewarded! Receive all of the following: Your Own Show! An Event Appearance with IRTE as your guest entertainment! A walk-on role in one of our regular season shows! A personalized IRTE video based on your idea! A T-shIRTE! An autographed poster! IRTE's postcards collector's set! An autographed cd from Tym Moss! An autographed copy of 'Scotty Watson's Improv Tips' book with crayons! And, a shout out on Twitter! Plus a Lifetime Pass for all future IRTE seasons. (IRTE shows and special appearances only available in New York City. Lifetime Pass is non-transferable.Other items estimated delivery: August 2020)
Fully Claimed!
Autographed copy of 'Scotty Watson's Improv Tips' book
An autographed copy of master improv teacher and coach, Scotty Watson’s book ‘Scotty Watson’s Improv Tips,’ complete with crayons. Yes, it’s also a coloring book! (Estimated delivery: August 2020)
