Comedy improv troupe Einstein Simplified will celebrate its 25th anniversary with two special shows at Scruffy City Hall on Saturday, August 24. Showtimes are 7:00 and 9:00 p.m. The cover charge is $5 per person. The 7:00 p.m. show will feature guest appearances by former troupe members.
City, county, state and federal officials have indicated that they will commemorate Einstein Simplified's 25th anniversary with proclamations to be presented on-stage at the start of the special shows on Saturday, August 24.
Einstein Simplified was founded in August, 1994 after several funny people took an improv class from David Alley, artist-in-residence and faculty member at the University of Tennessee. One of the original members, Paul Simmons, is still a member of the troupe and has been designated as its chairperson.
In addition to Paul Simmons, the current Einstein Simplified line-up includes Frank Murphy (joined in 2002), Dave Fennell (joined in 2005), Greg Huff (joined in 2005), Aaron Littleton (joined in 2010), and Jessica Brackeen (joined in 2019).
Former members of Einstein Simplified continue to use their improv training. Peyton Wilson has performed and taught at The Second City in Chicago since 2003. She was in Einstein Simplified in 1998. Another former member says improv has helped him in his career as a courtroom lawyer. Several others have gone into acting, writing, or singing.
Filmmaker John Hudgens is shooting a documentary title CHAIR! that examines comedy improv while following Einstein Simplified during the months leading up to the 25th anniversary. When asked to shout their favorite noun, Einstein Simplified audience regulars resend, "chair!".
A typical Tuesday night Einstein Simplified show includes about 90 minutes worth of short-form improv games similar to those on the TV series Whose Line Is It Anyway? Einstein Simplified has performed as Scruffy City Hall since May 6, 2014. In previous years, their weekly home was The Well, Side Splitters, The Square Room, Patrick Sullivan's, Amigo's, and Manhattan's.
Einstein Simplified is frequently hired to perform at festivals, parties, and fundraising events. They often dedicate one of their regular weekly shows to a charity, donating 100% of that night's tip jar to Remote Area Medical, The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, American Red Cross, American Cancer Society, and others.
Troupe members are available for interviews in advance of the 25th anniversary shows. News crews are encouraged to record b-roll at a regular Tuesday show. More information about the troupe can be found at EinsteinSimplified.com and Facebook.com/EinsteinSimplified/events.