Improv Legends Shaun Landry & Hans Summers Return to Oakland for Two Nights Only
Two Nights of Performances + One Exclusive Masterclass Workshop
September 18 & 19 at Pan Theater
We are thrilled to announce that improv pioneers Shaun Landry and Hans Summers are coming to Pan Theater on Friday, September 18, and Saturday, September 19!
In addition to two evening performances, Shaun Landry will lead her award-winning workshop, The Art of the Improvised Monologue, on Saturday afternoon.
The Second City alums have been performing together since 1986. They founded Oui Be Negroes, America's first almost all-Black improv troupe, and trained during Chicago's early improv renaissance under Del Close, Josephine Forsberg, and other pioneers of the art form. Their influence and history are documented in Amy E. Seham's acclaimed book, Whose Improv Is It Anyway?: Beyond Second City.
Reserve Show & Workshop Tickets Here
Why This Visit Is Special
“Shaun and Hans introduced me to long-form improv back in 2003 in San Francisco's Mission District. Hosting their return to the Bay Area is an absolute honor.
Their work reminds us of what improvisational theater can be. It shows us the power improv has to make audiences think, to transform people,” said Pan Theater founder David Alger. “For Bay Area performers and audiences, getting to see Shaun and Hans is a remarkable experience. They introduced me to long-form improv back in 2003 in the Mission. It’s a real pleasure to host their return.”
-David Alger, Artistic Director Pan Theater
Fresh off a successful run at the Dramatic Improv Festival, they are bringing four decades of collaborative chemistry back to Oakland.
Meet the Artists
Shaun Landry
An alumna of The Second City Chicago Touring Company, Shaun is an internationally recognized actor, director, and improv pioneer.
She has performed alongside Robin Williams, Woody Harrelson, and Danny Glover, co-starred with Sean Penn in the Oscar-winning film Milk, and co-founded both the San Francisco Improv Festival and the West Coast Improv Alliance.
Shaun Landry with Danny Glover
Hans Summers
Hans has been performing theater since 1975. Encouraged by Joel Murray to meet legendary Second City producer Joyce Sloan, Hans was directed to train under Josephine Forsberg. He went on to train at The Second City Chicago and perform in their Children's Company (Swashbucklers, The Gems of Chaos).
Over his 40-year improv career, Hans co-founded ensembles like Fooglewoogle and The Underground Theatre Conspiracy before teaming up with Shaun Landry in 1986 to form Oui Be Negroes and later their duo, Landry & Summers.
Event Details & Tickets
Seating at Pan Theater is extremely limited, so early booking is strongly recommended.
Dates: Friday, September 18 & Saturday, September 19, 2026
Showtimes: 8:00 p.m. (Doors open at 7:30 p.m.)
Workshop: The Art of the Improvised Monologue w/ Shaun Landry
Saturday, Sept 19, 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Location: Pan Theater, 120 Frank Ogawa Plaza, Oakland, CA (30 seconds from 12th St. BART)
Register for the Workshop Here
About Pan Theater:
Founded in 2002, Pan Theater is Oakland's oldest improv theater. Pan Theater explores the intersection of Meisner Technique and Viola Spolin’s improv theatre games. Pan helps improvisers bring more truth and emotion to their acting. Pan is just 30 seconds from BART in Frank Ogawa Plaza, in the southernmost theater of Oakland's Theatre District.
Media Contact:
David Alger, Artistic Director
Pan Theater
120 Frank Ogawa Plaza, Oakland, CA 94612
Email: david (at) pantheater.com
Website: pantheater.com
Phone: 415-685-9477