About this project
Five year's ago, ColdTowne Theater's founders MICHAEL JASTROCH, ARTHUR SIMONE and JUSTIN YORK fled New Orleans in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. They were taken in by the generous Austin arts and business community, given places to perform and beds to sleep on. Shortly thereafter, with literally no money and no resources, they converted an empty store room into a thriving underground comedy theater.
Since then, the ColdTowne Theater has become Austin’s main stage for alternative comedy, featuring the city's most popular improv, sketch and standup shows and showcasing the brightest, hardest-working comedians that Central Texas has to offer. Our educational wing, The ColdTowne Conservatory is Austin’s largest improv and sketch comedy training center. We have trained literally thousands of young comedians, many of whom are appearing on stages all over the country and right here at home.
After five years, the theater we have built has grown so big that we're literally bursting at the seams. Our lease is up and we have no home to move to. We're raising funds on behalf of JAM CITY, LLC (a new company created by Arthur, Mike and Justin) to help create a new theater space that will ensure a permanent home for ColdTowne Theater.
Right now, we're aggressively searching for a new space, but we need to the capital to rennovate! The funds we are looking for will go directly towards the physical renovation of a new arts space. Estimated moving costs include (but aren't limited to):
$5,000-7,000 for expanding bathrooms to code and installing bar and handwashing sinks
$3,000-5,000 to grind, polish, and stain flooring
$2,000-3,000 to redo walls for separation and soundproofing
That's not even counting electrical stuff!
ColdTowne Theater is an integral part of the Austin arts community. Help us expand and ensure our future!
http://coldtownetheater.com
http://facebook.com/coldtowne
http://twitter.com/coldtowne
http://blog.coldtownetheater.com
http://forum.coldtownetheater.com
FAQ
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241
Backers
$28,597
pledged of $25,000 goal
0
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Funding Successful
This project successfully raised its funding goal on October 16, 2010.
Pledge $10 or more
FREE PASS to any ColdTowne Theater Show (Must reserve space).
Pledge $25 or more
BOOK OF RECORD -- Your name to be read into the ColdTowne Theater book of record during our dedication ceremony and proudly displayed in our lobby. Pomp! Circumstance! Also, everything that came before!
Pledge $35 or more
Includes everything listed below and 6 Free rentals from I Luv Video and 6 Free Drip Coffees!
Pledge $35 or more
Includes everything listed below AND 2 free rentals at I Luv Video. Limited number of these! Get them now!
Pledge $50 or more
Free live show photography with photographer Stephanie Hagemeister. Great performance shots for your improv troupes or bands! 20 web sized pictures, edited (example work at http://www.flickr.com/photos/oob_pics/sets/72157624868332660/)
Pledge $100 or more
Get 3 hours of computer help or education from an IT professional. Get your computer running faster again, learn Word or Excel, hide your porn with Department of Defense grade security, or impress that nerdy coworker by installing Linux. Tim has been fixing PC's, assembling home media centers, building computers, designing and assembling home and business networks, and securing data and networks for 15 years. Tim can meet you at a coffee shop, in your home, or can provide remote desktop support. Tim supports Windows and Linux computers, but not Macs. 3 hours of on site tech support Get 3 hours of computer help or education from an IT professional. Get your computer running faster again, learn Word or Excel, hide your porn with Department of Defense grade security, or impress that nerdy coworker by installing Linux. Tim has been fixing PC's, assembling home media centers, building computers, designing and assembling home and business networks, and securing data and networks for 15 years. Tim can meet you at a coffee shop, in your home, or can provide remote desktop support. Tim supports Windows and Linux computers, but not Macs.
Pledge $100 or more
Improv for Kids, The Birthday Party! -- For a mere $100 donation, three child savvy improvisers will entertain, divert and indulge the youthful group of your choice for one the duration of one hour! That's right! Kate, Kristin and/or Matt will perform a series of hilarious and diverting improvised stories for your guests, then lead them through improv based games and activities that are sure to leave everyone exhausted and amused. In a good way! Perfect for children between the ages of 5 and 10, this is a sure fire way to throw an amazing birthday party. Location to be determined by host.
Pledge $100 or more
CUSTOM ART! Oh, Science's Nathan Livni is offering up some custom artwork as well. His live drawings of improv scenes have inspired hundreds of comedy festival goeers. Now, you too can get a custom drawing done. These are great pieces for posters, group logos or even a tee shirt. They are going for $100. http://bit.ly/9ftMb7
Pledge $100 or more
Oh, Science's Nathan Livni is offering up some custom artwork as well. His live drawings of improv scenes have inspired hundreds of comedy festival goeers. Now, you too can get a custom drawing done. These are great pieces for posters, group logos or even a tee shirt. They are going for $100.
Pledge $100 or more
FRIENDS OF COLDTOWNE will receive our special prize package, including membership in our exclusive mailing list, which will give you access to heavily discounted and advanced ticket sales to special events, festivals and workshops, as well as special invites to private events and parties as well as our special tee shirt. BOOK OF RECORD -- Your name to be read into the ColdTowne Theater book of record during our dedication ceremony and proudly displayed in our lobby. Pomp! Circumstance! Also, everything that came before!
Pledge $150 or more
Free Voiceover Basics Class or Character Voice Workshop with Studio E founder Elizabeth Reeder. Great training for the professional or journeyman performer, a $250 value! http://studioeaustin.com.
Pledge $150 or more
Free 1-hour professional photography session with natural lighting or flash photography, location of your choice with photographer Jon Bolden. Can be family photos, headshots, a party, etc... Includes basic editing on all photos and up to 3 full photo-shopped touch-ups (great for portraits). Includes an online gallery with download links to all hi-resolution final images. Please leave up to 3 weeks before receiving photos. Jon Bolden Photography retains portfolio rights. http://www.flickr.com/photos/jonbolden ** Includes everything from the $100 Friend of ColdTowne Level
Pledge $150 or more
Free professional photography session with photographer Stephanie Hagemeister. Includes basic editing on all photos and up to 4 full photo-shopped touch-ups (great for portraits). Stephanie Hagemeister Photography retains portfolio rights. http://www.facebook.com/pages/Austin-TX/Stephanie-Renee-Photo/159522880728052
Pledge $150 or more
Free professional photography session with photographer Meredith Newell-- a portrait photoshoot in the style of the bidder’s choosing. Includes basic editing on all photos and up to 4 full photo-shopped touch-ups (great for portraits). Meredith Newell Photography retains portfolio rights.
Pledge $150 or more
A free fitness bootcamp in November at Work It Personal Training's Northwest District Park location. Tue/Thur at 7am-8am. Class meets 8 times. http://www.workittraining.com/warriors/
Pledge $200 or more
POSTER DESIGN! ColdTowne Theater's crack graphic designer, Michael Jastroch, will donate 10 hours worth of graphic design! That's about 2-4 show posters. Have a band or an improv troupe or show who wants to look good? Jump on this!
Pledge $250 or more
Free Song Class, or Film Acting Workshop with Studio E founder Elizabeth Reeder. Great training for the professional or journeyman performer, a $450 value! http://studioeaustin.com.
Pledge $250 or more
Can't afford a theater seat? We'll let you put a name plaque on a urinal or a toilet in the bathrooms. Yes. We're serious. Please, don't do this because you're creepy.
Pledge $500 or more
Attn Austin Businesses. Half price 10-20 person corporate 3 hour corporate improv teambuilding, communication, brainstorming seminars! $1,000 value! Read about it here: http://tinyurl.com/377f8jm
Pledge $500 or more
ColdTowne’s Arthur Simone has donated a custom, 18″ x 24″ or 20″ x 20″ portrait for one lucky soul willing to contribute $500 to the cause. In addition to appearing in Big Momma’s House 2, being both the Pun Off and The Air Sex World Champion, representing Austin at the World Air Guitar finals and being voted Best Actor in Austin, Arthur has been a finalist for the Hunting Art Prize. Is there nothing he can’t do? http://arthursimone.com
Pledge $500 or more
THE GOLDEN TICKET In addition to the items recieved by the Friends of ColdTowne, by purchasing a golden ticket for $500, you are guaranteeing free entry to all regular weekly ColdTowne Theater shows for one year.
Pledge $500 or more
Get a special theater seat dedicated to you or someone of your choosing. LIMIT 50 SEATS!
Pledge $750 or more
WEDDING VIDEO! Full Production! ($1500 Value) -- Get a full length, professionally produced wedding video for half of what it would normally cost! Andy Petruzzo and Kyle Sweeny have been producing wedding videos since 2001. You can look at their reel here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p3izMX-iB6k
Pledge $1,000 or more
"The SEUFERT" entitles the donor to everything mentioned above as well as a +1 to all shows and access to the private Seufert Booth at ColdTowne Theater.
Pledge $1,750 or more
"THE COOK" entitles the donor to everything mentioned above as well as a +2 to all shows and being bowed to and referred to as “Your Grace” by all ColdTowne Theater staff.
Pledge $2,500 or more
"The Dearing" entitles the donor to everything mentioned above as well as a private show at ColdTowne incorporating a customized improv and sketch revue tailor-made for the donor’s friends and family.
Project By
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ColdTowne is Arthur Simone, Michael Jastroch, and Justin York.
Coldtowne formed in March of 2005 from members of two Comedy Conservatory student teams in New Orleans, Louisiana. For several months, they performed weekly at one of the Crescent City's premier theater venues, Le Chat Noir, becoming key players in the city's budding comedy improvisation scene.
After Hurricane Katrina, a handful of ColdTowne's original eight members fled to Austin, Texas, living together, begging for food together, and building a group mind that borders on codependence. Performing at Austin's Out of Bounds Improv Festival, Coldtowne established a new existence as relentless and adaptable performers come hell or high water. Since then, Coldtowne has performed long-form improv regularly at Austin's Hideout Theater, won "Best Improv Group" in the Austin Chronicle Readers Poll, and opened its own theater and training center.
The residents of ColdTowne come from a variety of backgrounds: absurdist art, journalism, and business. Together they populate ColdTowne with long- and short-form improv, sketch, stand-up, screenwriting, guerilla film, music, and lots of nerdy blogging.
In addition to their training at New Orleans' Comedy Conservatory, residents of ColdTowne have trained and performed with Improv Olympic West and Chicago, Second City, the Annoyance Theatre, and the Upright Citizens Brigade, and as regular members of New Orleans' charter ComedySportz team. They've also participated in numerous workshops and master classes taught by improv luminaries. ColdTowne has performed at the inaugural Southern Improv Festival, Harrah's Casino, IO West, IO Chicago, ComedySportz (in Los Angeles, Chicago, Portland, and Dallas), Louisiana State University, the Dirty South Improv Festival, Austin's Frontera Fest, and the Phoenix, Chicago, and Toronto Improv Festivals, as well as Dallas' West End Comedy Theater, the Del Close Marathon in New York City, and Austin's Out of Bounds Improv Festival and Miniature Golf Tournament.
