comedy club bay area | Pan Theater

Improv Comedy Club Bay Area shows at Pan Theater -

the Experience

You and your friends head out for a night on the town, or you and your date want to laugh and have a relaxing evening out...either way -you want something different to do before getting dinner or going to get drinks. You decide to try Broadway- Broadway in Oakland. You take BART to Pan Theater.

You find Pan tucked away, hidden almost underground. We like it that way. When the show begins we’ll ask for your ideas but never ask you on stage for our games unless you volunteer. We only choose willing volunteers so please sit up front to enjoy the show. We do not make fun of our guests, or create comedy at their expense.

It’s a small theater with a bare stage and simple lights…performers nervously standing ready on stage for the show to begin. Blondie is playing before the show…the lights go down and back up….

Imagine a blank stage, a group of performers with no script and no preconceived story lines….greet the audience.

One steps forward and asks the audience for a theme such as love, travel, hope…

You shout out: _______________.

What will they do with this….?

Two performers step out and start performing a scene they make up on the spot.

Two long lost lovers meet at Starbucks….they discuss the weather and how they prefer the local indie coffee shops- all the while moving closer and closer….will they connect?

At moments you’re laughing at other moments you’re reminded of similar situations you’ve been in and you are rooting for two to connect...

Two more performers cross the stage and start a new scene at the local indie coffee shop while the previous performers step to the sides. The new scene takes a word from the previous scene and a brand new, never before scene of theater is created. Both characters were history buffs and dream about the good old days before the internet – while checking their cell phones…

A new performer walks up front and does a riveting monologue about why he needs his coffee before going to the coal mines….

Scenes follow building on the original theme, or on ideas that have emerged in previous scenes.

The performers launch into each scene with more abandon creating laughs, edge of the seat excitement and scenes never before seen and not to be repeated.

You’ve witnessed, helped create and been part of an improvised performance known as the Montage.

Scenes, games, ideas, monologues and anything else that inspires the actors comes to life on the stage in front of you. Laughs, excitement, pure adrenalin, and all completely improvised.

Laugh, cry and sit on the edge of your sit while the performers of Awkward Face leap into the abyss…

Go on a journey with Awkward Face - Laughs Guaranteed.

We’re so sure you’ll laugh, cry or sit on the edge of your seat that we guarantee your ticket. If you don’t laugh at least once ….you’ll get your money back. We’ll gladly refund your ticket price, and or give you tickets to a different Awkward Face show. Tickets purchased online only. See Guarantee for complete details***

Pan Theater Comedy Shows - Formats:

Short Form Improv:

Short scenes and theater games presented separately. Audience members help provide starting ideas for each piece. The pieces revolve around a game or rule (think Whose Line is it?).

Long Form Improv:

A series of scenes continued without interruption. Sets revolve around a format that may explore location, character or theme. Long form formats create an improvised play.

The Montage

Awkward Face actors perform a series of games, monologues and scenes is connected around an audience suggested theme. Characters may or may not be brought back. The set can include: games, monologues, and just about anything possible in the improv world. The goal is to explore the themes.

The Harold

Performers take a single suggestion and explore the theme it inspires. The typical set will have three sets of reoccurring characters. The piece is presented in three reoccurring beats of three scenes. The main characters are brought back and the theme of their scenes are intensified. The scenes can either merge ending in one single scene, or the individual stories will resolve. The beginning of the set starts with a group game or series of monologues. Each beat of the set is reconnected to the group by a group game that reunites the entire cast.

One Act

Performers ask for a story that hasn't been told before and tell the story. This format focuses on reoccurring characters and has a central character. The main character's journey is the focus of the piece.

Laugh Guarantee good for tickets purchased online only - Awkward Face Shows only

If you do not laugh at least once during an Awkward Face show - we will gladly refund your ticket price or offer you tickets to another Awkward Face Show. Ticket purchase price less any services fees issued by check via mail. You must provide a copy of both your online receipt and a copy of each used ticket received at the door. No cash refunds issued. No refunds issued at a performance.

Refunds not given for student performances, special performances, cash tickets, or for missing a show. Refunds made payable to name of ticket purchaser only. Refund request must be received via email within three days of seeing show.

Three days will be counted from date of show. All requests made later than three days after show will not be honored. Refund exchanges exchange tickets can be requested for up to one week after the show. Exchanges only good for Awkward Face shows.

Refunds not given for student/alumni performances, parking issues, missing a show, or theater issues (too hot, too cold, seats not comfy). Please only request a refund if you didn’t laugh at least once (we use ticket sales to pay the rent). Refunded tickets not good for non-Awkward Face shows.