Saturday, October 25 - Sunday, October 26

Join the Invasion!

Hey WNC Improv Community! We’re puttin’ on a show; 4 shows to be precise! Double Dip Productions is producing a fun collab between curated Asheville and Chicago improv teams, culminating in 4 shows at the legendary iO Theatre in Chicago on Saturday, October 25 and Sunday October 26th

AND

we would love for YOU to join us!

The Asheville Invasion is a rare opportunity to come to Chicago, the world epicenter of improv, to not only support your fellow Asheville improvisors by seeing them perform at the legendary iO Theatre, but also to immerse yourself in everything improv the Windy City has to offer including being able to see some incredible performances from some of the best in the biz. (Not to mention being that closer to a Chicago Beef sandwich!)

To get in on the fun, we also created special packages for improvisors willing to travel to Chicago that include tickets to all 4 shows, a slot in either one or two workshops, and an as yet-to-be-determined show discount at the iO Theatre.

PLUS, we did leave one performance slot open on one of the shows for a build-a-team of 6 to also perform, comprised of randomly selected package-purchasers! (check out the FAQ below for more info)

That’s Right, We Said Workshops!

We are excited about the workshops we set up, taught by super-seasoned Chicago vets who who will spill some Chicago secrets. They are:

  • Chicago-style Improv with Rudy Mendoza (read more about Rudy)
    1pm - 3pm
    The Bughouse Theatre (1910 W Irving Park Rd., Chicago, IL 60613)

    Get a taste of authentic Chicago-style improv! This workshop hones in on the core principles of listening, non-verbal communication, and patient play. We'll work on creating believable characters and environments, allowing scenes to unfold naturally. Learn to trust the process and your scene partners to build strong, organic improv from the ground up.

  • Nitty Gritty Harold with Lisa Burton (read more about Lisa)
    10am - 12pm
    The Bughouse Theatre (1910 W Irving Park Rd., Chicago, IL 60613)

    Join veteran improviser Lisa Burton in workshopping all the elements that make up the Harold form. From organic group work and where to pull inspiration to group game and how to run a third beat like a pro. We'll wrap by putting it all together and trying on the form.

We hope you’re as excited as we are and take advantage of this opportunity to not only bring a ‘lil Appalachia to the Great Lakes but to also hang with your WNC improv fam and take in all the city has to offer. I’m sure you have questions, we got answers below!

Confused? We got answers!

  • The Asheville Invasion is a fun collab produced by Double Dip Productions in conjunction with Joe Carroll and working with the legendary iO Theatre and Bughouse Theatre in Chicago.

    We will be producing 4 shows at the iO Theatre: 2 on Saturday, October 25th and 2 on Sunday, October 26th (times and lineup TBD). The lineups are a curated mix of Asheville and Chicago teams, including some notable improv stalwarts!

  • There will be 4 shows at the iO Theatre: 2 on Saturday, October 25th and 2 on Sunday, October 26th (times and lineup TBD).

    Plus, there will be 2 workshops at the Bug House Theatre available exclusively — while slots remain — for package holders.

  • Yes! For improvisors not performing, we have set up a couple of nice packages that include:

    • One (1) ticket to each of four (4) Asheville Invasion shows

    • One (1) workshop slot for one of the workshops (there will be another package that will include a slot for each workshop)

    • An iO unlimited discount code to be used to purchase other iO shows at student prices, good for Friday, October 24th - Sunday, October 26th.

    • A chance to be chosen at random to be a part of a build-a-team of 6 that will get to perform at iO as part of the Asheville Invasion!

  • Certainly! We have two workshops taught by two outstanding teachers/performers: Lisa Burton and and Rudy Mendoza. Both workshops will be held on Saturday, October 25th at 10am and 1pm, respectively, at the Bug House Theatre.

    You can read about both workshops and the instructors here.

  • Yup, you read correctly! Sometime before October, Double Dip will hold a drawing from a hat made up of improvisors who have purchased either one of the packages to be a part of the 6-person build-a-team that will get to perform at one of the four Asheville Invasion shows!

    Here’s the thing, though:

    • You MUST purchase either one of the packages to be entered into the drawing.

    • If picked, you must be able to stay in Chicago until at least Monday morning as your build-a-team show MIGHT be on Sunday.

  • Nope! However, part of the fun of traveling for improv is getting to travel with your fellow improvisors. Chicago has tons of Airbnbs and VRBOs for rent along with more hotels than you could possibly imagine.

    As for transportation, Chicago is exactly a 10-hour drive from Asheville, easily doable in a day, so a carpool can be a lot of fun. If time is tight, American, United and Allegiant all offer daily — and affordable — nonstop service from AVL.

    Once there, Chicago has excellent public transportation with its vaunted L-trains and buses. Or you can just Uber or Lyft all around if that’s how you roll.

  • Excellent question! The shows and workshops will be on Saturday, October 25th and Sunday, October 26th but we recommend getting there on Friday, October 24th as we will be arranging a pre-show meetup somewhere in Chicago, details forthcoming. And of course, you’ll want to stay till Monday so you can enjoy the Sunday Asheville Invasion shows at iO!

Still have questions or topics we didn’t cover?
Hit us up.