Theatre 99
Theatre 99 is an improvisational comedy theatre in Charleston, South Carolina.
Opened on July 7th 2000 on Cumberland Street in the former Stage One Cinema, it then moved on the 19th August 2005 to its current location on Meeting Street.
The Theatre was created by improv grop The Have Nots! who consist of Greg Tavares, Brandy Sullivan and Timmy Finch - who were formed in May 1995. After many years of acting as a touring company with Charleston as their base, they decided to open a theatre in Charleston.
Theatre 99 offers training classes, where anyone can sign up to be taught the art of improvisation. It is named '99' after the number of seats that there were when based in Cumberland Street. Since moving to Meeting Street the capacity has increased to 137
Types of Show
The theatre has performances on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday of every week throughout the year - except for two weeks in June, immediately following the Piccolo Spoleto festival.
Improv Comedy is always the headline act, but other acts consisting of sketch comedy, or complete hour long special shows are often performed.
Occasionally out of town acts pass through Charletson and used the theatre for their performance, sometimes resulting in the theatre being open on a Thursday too.
Festivals
The Theatre is the creator and sponsor of the Charleston Comedy Festival, which takes place the second week of January every year in Charleston in additional theatres.
The Piccolo Spoleto festival takes place in Charleston for three weeks every May and June, a companion to the Spoleto festival. The theatre hosts many of the comedy acts that are part of the festival.