Bridgeport Correctional Facility Short Form Impromptu Skit Players return to Austin in June at ColdTowne Theater, combining competitive short-form improvisation, ladies wrestling and 70’s exploitation films into a single, vulgar comedy experience.
Inspired by Jack Hill’s Switchblade Sisters, cult television show Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling (G.L.o.W.) and old-school roller derby, Bridgeport is female prisoners from a north Texas incarceration unit performing short-form improvisation.
The troupe returns to Austin after an 8 year break, last playing at the Out of Bounds festival in 2006.
“The show is persona-based improvisation, with the actors developing and portraying characters from a women’s prison. The characters they develop are passionate about the art form and do their best to deliver a competitive short form show. We had a blast with this show back in 2006, when it was first staged and this run features some of the original players, along with new players and characters for this run” says director and producer, Erika May McNichol. “”We endeavor to be true to the sources of Switchblade Sisters and G.L.O.W., especially; the show is physical, raunchy and of questionable taste.””
The characters of Bridgeport are portrayed by Katie Thornton, Chrissy Shackleford, Kaci Beeler, Rachel Madorsky, Courtney Hopkin, Cortnie Jones, Lisa Jackson and Erika May McNichol.
Bridgeport Correctional Facility Short Form Impromptu Skit Players runs at 8:30pm every Saturday in June, beginning June 7th and running through June 28th at ColdTowne Theater.
Listen to an interview with Erika May.