Hi everyone, The Mess Sketch Comedy Troupe had rehearsals here a month or so ago. They love the space and what we are doing and decided to apply to be a member collective. They will be at the delegates meeting on Thursday to answer questions. Please discuss their application with your collectives.

1. Mission Statement

THE MESS is a theatre troupe and collective of writers, dancers, singers, actors, and mischief makers who are out to do comedy that is a reflection of the Bay Area’s diverse culture.

2. Origin and Group History

THE MESS is a sketch comedy troupe based in California's East Bay with writers, dancers, singers, actors, and mischief makers from all over the globe. In Fall 2011, Renée LeVesque and a group of theatre folks began hosting a weekly pirate radio show on Radio Valencia in San Francisco. What they quickly discovered is that doing live action theatre was their real passion. They began asking the question, what if instead of trying to convince a big theatre to do a show we liked, we just did our own show with people whose work we enjoyed? What if we cast people who were not only great actors, but willing to take risks and perform parts they normally wouldn’t get cast for? What if we created a room for comedy writers that was welcoming, where they could collaborate on scripts rather than compete for stage time? The group rented space for trade at Chez Poulet, a warehouse in San Francisco’s mission district. They rehearsed, pooled their resources, and on Valentine’s Day 2012 put on their very first show at Stage Werx SF.

As of 2015, the group has moved to the East Bay, expanded its troupe to include over 30 performers, directors, writers, and designers. Each show is a collective effort with each member contributing to the performance from its creation to final bow. Everyone works, everyone participates, everyone has a seat at the comedy table with a focus on performances that celebrate the Bay Area’s diversity, and create immersive comedic experiences with a lean toward the theatrical.

3. How would you participate in and contribute to the Omni?

THE MESS would like to be the house performance troupe at The Omni Commons. To us that would mean participating in open houses, community outreach and any other collective activity that The Omni hosts. We would also have representatives participate in improving/repairing the Ballroom Space, the Disco Room, and helping to maintain the other common spaces. THE MESS would also host workshops, classes, and performances at The Omni to increase interest and appreciation for the space itself and for the collectives that call the Omni home.

4. How does your collective support itself financially? What would you be able to afford in rent?

THE MESS sells tickets to each show at the rate of $15 plus (sliding scale). Our ticket sales average 40- 60 people per performance. We plan to use ticket sale revenue to help the Omni with its expenses. At present, we can afford $300 per month total plus a share of the common expenses such as utilities. If we are able to increase programing in 2016 (shows, workshops, etc.), we would be able to discuss contributing more.

5. What are your space needs, especially for dedicated (locked or not shared) space?

Ideally, we would like to steward, share and help improve and maintain the Disco Room. Essentially, our typical needs are average 3 to 4 nights a week in the evenings from approximately 6PM to 10PM.

In addition, we would volunteer to help coordinate the calendar for other events that the Collective, Delegates and Commons wish to hold in the Disco room. Improvements, we would like to build include a locked cabinet (approx. 8 feet x 8 feet) in the Disco Room to store equipment, props, and costumes.

Any other improvements we can help assist to support the Omni in renting out the space to other groups in the community.

6. Statement of Solidarity

We, The Mess agree and are committed to the Omni Collective’s shared political vision of more equitable communing of resources and meeting human needs over private interests or corporate profit. If accepted as a member collective, we promise to adhere to the Collectives’ solidarity and anti-capitalist political perspective. The Mess has always and will continue to practice openness, diversity and community through the arts and in general practice.

7. Additional Information

https://www.facebook.com/EastBayMess/?fref=ts

http://sketchmess.com

mess.sketch@gmail.com

Renée LeVesque - Rabble Rouser - rmlevesque@gmail.com - Cell: 951.533.0508
Spencer Bainbridge - Head Writer
Sang S. Kim - Production Manager