SAK Comedy Lab
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SAK Comedy Lab (SAK) is a 200-seat Improvisational Comedy (Improv) theater in downtown Orlando, Florida, listed as "one of Orlando's most popular entertainment venues" by 10Best.com and as a family-friendly show by about.com. SAK was the first theater of actor Wayne Brady, who has played in several shows since as a guest performer.[1] SAK's regular performers are referred to as the SAK ensemble.
SAK runs an improv training school, SAK University (SAK U), which features four levels of classes. Graduates of SAK U may someday join the ensemble.
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[edit] Shows
SAK's main show is the Duel of Fools[2] This show features two teams of three improvisers, one host/ referee, and a piano player to add music. SAK will often feature a different ten p.m. show that offers a different format other than the standard Duel of Fools.
While Duel of Fools runs continuously, the club also rotates other temporary shows through its repetourie. These have included the 2007 Rub a Dub Dub, a show in which players dub their own lines over health films and silent movies. The Lost Comedies of William Shakespeare, directed by David Charles in 2006, was a parody of Shakespeare's work, in which the performers synthesized a 5 act play from audience suggestions.[3] The show received positive reviews[4] from the Orlando Sentinel. The players created a Broadway-style musical in Fourplay: The Improvised Musical, which ran during the summer of 2006. Also in 2006, were You Bet Your Asterisk, an improv game show, and SAK Request Live.
Seasonal shows at SAK include variations on Duel of Fools, such as Love for Fools (Valentines Day), Yule of Fools (Christmas), Midnight Halloween Torture Show, and Mardi Gras SAK Style.
Other continuous programs include Lab Rats, a show for the graduates of SAK's improv training school, and Generation S (Gen S), a showcase of the best of Lab Rats and special invitees who are being trained to join the ensemble.
[edit] High School League
In the 2005-2006 school year, SAK Comedy Lab began a high school Improv League for schools in the Orlando area. Members of the league train with a player from the SAK enemble during the Fall and compete in a Spring tournament. In the first year, four teams competed: Pine Castle Christian Academy, Hungerford Preparatory School, Bishop Moore High School, and Winter Springs High School. In the 2006-2007 year, Pine Castle and Bishop Moore returned, with new members Boone High School, Florida International Community School, and Winter Park High School.
High School League Champions:
| Year | School |
|---|---|
| 2005-2006 | Pine Castle |
| 2006-2007 | ICS |
[edit] Location
SAK shares the Amway Arena's Centroplex parking garage on 380 W Amelia Ave,[5] which may lead to parking diffulties during Orlando Magic games.[6]
[edit] Further Careers of SAK Performers
Many of SAK's former ensemble members moved on to careers in acting, film, and other performance roles. These include:[7]
- Dee Bradley Baker
- Wayne Brady
- Karey Kirkpatrick
- Jonathan Mangum
- Joel McCrary
- Paula Pell
- Moira Quirk
- Michael Rayner
- Justine Reiss
- David Russell
- Clare Sera
- Will Sera
- Aaron Shure
- Danno Sullivan
- Paul Vogt
- Peter Vogt
- David Watts
- Matt Young
- Keith Dickerson
[edit] External links
[edit] References
- ^ More News
- ^ http://www.sidestep.com/travel-entertainment-n24534-sak_comedy_lab_orlando_fl.
- ^ http://www.orlandosentinel.com/entertainment/orl-spottheater0806dec08,0,347520.story?coll=orl-calutil
- ^ Orlando Sentinel review
- ^ SAK Comedy Lab
- ^ MAGIC: 2006-07 Parking Options for Magic Games
- ^ The Extended SAK Family - Where Are They Now?
