BY KELLY KURTIN
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| Charna Halpern |
When Charna Halpern, founder and artistic director of ImprovOlympic (I.O.),
opened an offshoot of her popular improvisation theatre in L.A. four years
ago, she started out small. Halpern simply "didn’t want to spend
a million dollars right away." But despite conservative beginnings,
her vision was always grand, and today I.O. is on the cusp of major expansion–both
in Hollywood and at its home base here in Chicago.
Things recently started rolling in L.A. when spaces run by HBO and FOX closed there. The networks then began knocking on I.O.’s door, according to Halpern. "They’ve been migrating to our space," she says. "We’re helping them build shows and look at pilot suggestions." Jeff Garlin from HBO’s "Curb Your Enthusiasm" is one icon that takes the stage regularly.
High-profile partnerships can be attributed, in part, to expansion at the West Coast I.O. venture. It’s progressed from tiny digs in the Stella Adler Theatre to a large, namesake venue smack-dab in the middle of Hollywood Boulevard. But finding the space to mount non-I.O. works, like Garlin’s gig, has continued to be a challenge. The current theatre features one mainstage, a separate bar and a second-level studio space that accommodates just 50 people; it’s a fabulously adorned, chic set-up, but not one that could be called all-purpose.
But it could be. Right below I.O., there is an available space that Halpern has no stake in–yet. "It’s not negotiated, but we could open the downstairs and share the costs [with the networks]," says Halpern. "I picked out the theatre there because I knew then that we’d have room to grow and would eventually be like Chicago."
The Chicago I.O., for its part, has been what Halpern refers to as "a funky hangout with a good vibe" for 20 years. At the venue, located at 3541 N. Clark St., shows are consistently sold out and the showcased talents are major magnets for casting agents. But increased class sizes have given everyone a few growing pains. "I’ve been busting at the seams. I just don’t have enough room for class space or offices," says Halpern.
As a result, she’s looking into renting the four floors above the neighboring Salt ’n’ Pepper diner (a now-vacant space owned by her current landlord). Plans include opening up three levels, each featuring its own theatre and adjoining bar, to the public. All theatres would double as classrooms on performance downtime. Finally, she hopes to convert the top floor into offices and may also include a lounge where people could hang out before shows. The entrance to the "new" I.O. would be just a few steps south of its current one, where the Goose Island entrance is now located.
"We’re in negotiations…if all goes through, this could happen pretty soon," says Halpern.
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