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Textual Highlights • includes a sampling of venues by month and year
1979
Improvisational Comedy workshops are taught at The Old Spaghetti Factory, Boarding House, Holy City Zoo. Teachers include The Committee's Jim Cranna, Chicago's Second City's John Elk, Papaya Juice's Jose Simon, and comedy entrepreneur, John Cantu.
Papaya Juice, the Holy City Zoo's house improv group, loses their singular female member, Joanne and begin auditioning women for her slot. Auditioners are pulled from the ranks of the myriad workshops taught in the City. After several large cattle calls and some questionable audition gauntlets to deduce if the required qualifications were met, the 'finalists' are whittled down to 4 women; Susan Healy, Terry Sand, Kristen Siem and _____. These gals are asked to continue the audition process by rotating into the troupe as performers each weekend night for nearly 6 months. At the end of that half year, one would be chosen as the proper fit to join Papaya Juice. In theory, this process was meant to ease there possible full-time inclusion into Papaya Juice by acquainting them with the set pieces they would be asked to join. Despite the large earning power of the group on their regular weekends, the female hopefuls were unpaid for their on-the-job internship. At the end of 6 months, Joanne returns to PJ and the 4 are dismissed as no longer needed.
Meanwhile the numbers of women in workshops is growing and all are looking for a chance to use their new-found skills. It is apparent there is plenty of funny among them and Terry Sand, Susan Healy and Teresa Roberts decide to form the first all-woman improv troupe and dub it Femprov.
Late in December, The Holy City Zoo's puts its first Women's Night on the Wednesday night calendar. Femprov is ready to perform and prove themselves onstage.
Papaya Juice, the Holy City Zoo's house improv group, loses their singular female member, Joanne and begin auditioning women for her slot. Auditioners are pulled from the ranks of the myriad workshops taught in the City. After several large cattle calls and some questionable audition gauntlets to deduce if the required qualifications were met, the 'finalists' are whittled down to 4 women; Susan Healy, Terry Sand, Kristen Siem and _____. These gals are asked to continue the audition process by rotating into the troupe as performers each weekend night for nearly 6 months. At the end of that half year, one would be chosen as the proper fit to join Papaya Juice. In theory, this process was meant to ease there possible full-time inclusion into Papaya Juice by acquainting them with the set pieces they would be asked to join. Despite the large earning power of the group on their regular weekends, the female hopefuls were unpaid for their on-the-job internship. At the end of 6 months, Joanne returns to PJ and the 4 are dismissed as no longer needed.
Meanwhile the numbers of women in workshops is growing and all are looking for a chance to use their new-found skills. It is apparent there is plenty of funny among them and Terry Sand, Susan Healy and Teresa Roberts decide to form the first all-woman improv troupe and dub it Femprov.
Late in December, The Holy City Zoo's puts its first Women's Night on the Wednesday night calendar. Femprov is ready to perform and prove themselves onstage.
1980
January - March
After an auspicious start in 1979, The Holy City Zoo's first Women's Night continues for 3 months into March. Every Wednesday night, the entire compliment of funny women that exist in San Francisco begin getting stage time to bloom and grow under the spotlight and in front of living, breathing audiences. Femprov hosts these nights, due in no small part to our ability to 'stretch' with fresh improvised material between the other comediennes' open mike time. We are able to develop our characters and line-up of sketches thanks to so much proving time throughout the evening.
After an auspicious start in 1979, The Holy City Zoo's first Women's Night continues for 3 months into March. Every Wednesday night, the entire compliment of funny women that exist in San Francisco begin getting stage time to bloom and grow under the spotlight and in front of living, breathing audiences. Femprov hosts these nights, due in no small part to our ability to 'stretch' with fresh improvised material between the other comediennes' open mike time. We are able to develop our characters and line-up of sketches thanks to so much proving time throughout the evening.
End of March - late April
The HCZ books Femprov for matinees between 4 and 6 on Sunday afternoons. Certainly the Zoo was dark enough to simulate a 'nightclub' environment in broad daylight, which perhaps lent itself to the playfulness of improvised comedy… perhaps we were bait for the early afternoon drinking crowd.
The HCZ books Femprov for matinees between 4 and 6 on Sunday afternoons. Certainly the Zoo was dark enough to simulate a 'nightclub' environment in broad daylight, which perhaps lent itself to the playfulness of improvised comedy… perhaps we were bait for the early afternoon drinking crowd.
March 7 & 23
Bookings at Allen's Alley downstairs at The (original) Boarding House on Bush Street.
Bookings at Allen's Alley downstairs at The (original) Boarding House on Bush Street.
May
Branching out to other venues, The Hotel Utah for a 2-show weekend night, and our first booking of many at The Other Cafe.
Branching out to other venues, The Hotel Utah for a 2-show weekend night, and our first booking of many at The Other Cafe.
June - December
Our extended run begins at The Old Spaghetti Factory in North Beach. This becomes our home club and a chance to build a strong following every Sunday night throughout the rest of 1980 into early 1981. To kick off the run, we cleverly book complimentary Guests to share the stage each Sunday night in June: 1- Michael Pritchard, 8- Dr. Gonzo, 15- Teresa Tudury, 22- Billy Jaye, 29- Carrie Snow.
Our extended run begins at The Old Spaghetti Factory in North Beach. This becomes our home club and a chance to build a strong following every Sunday night throughout the rest of 1980 into early 1981. To kick off the run, we cleverly book complimentary Guests to share the stage each Sunday night in June: 1- Michael Pritchard, 8- Dr. Gonzo, 15- Teresa Tudury, 22- Billy Jaye, 29- Carrie Snow.
August 28
The Other Cafe hops on the bandwagon with their own Woman in Comedy Night, booking us along with a stand-up from our ranks, Susan Healy. Joni Rodgers and Sindy McKay complete the bill.
December 14
We celebrate our 1 year anniversary at The Old Spaghetti Factory.
December 15
A prestigious gig at the The Fairmont Hotel's Venetian Room for the United Cerebral Palsy Benefit featuring The Ink Spots. We share the bill with other local comics, Mike Pritchard, Jim Giovonni and Bill Farley.
We celebrate our 1 year anniversary at The Old Spaghetti Factory.
December 15
A prestigious gig at the The Fairmont Hotel's Venetian Room for the United Cerebral Palsy Benefit featuring The Ink Spots. We share the bill with other local comics, Mike Pritchard, Jim Giovonni and Bill Farley.
December 31
The Old Spaghetti Factory for a New Year's Eve jam with every other improv group in the City.
The Old Spaghetti Factory for a New Year's Eve jam with every other improv group in the City.
Femprov Photos and listings are published in the SF Date Book (Pink Pages) throughout this banner year.
1981
January
Our first venture out of the City to the Sleeping Lady Cafe in Fairfax.
Continuing our runs at The Old Spaghetti Factory thru February, book the Other Cafe
February 12, 26
February 12, 26
The Other Cafe
March 9
Nominated for a Comedy Cabaret Gold Award
Weekend Women's Nights at the Holy City Zoo
April
Nominated for a Comedy Cabaret Gold Award
Weekend Women's Nights at the Holy City Zoo
April
Weekend Women's Nights at the Holy City Zoo. 2 sets for $100
Honored by our first nomination for a Comedy Cabaret Gold Award in March.
Honored by our first nomination for a Comedy Cabaret Gold Award in March.
23 - The Other Cafe
May 11 & 18
The Punchline catches improv-fever and asks Femprov to kick off their first 2 weeks of continuing improv nights.
May 11 & 18
June 11
The Other Cafe
June 27
Holy City Zoo
Throughout the summer…
Throughout the summer…
July 10 & 11 • Gala Opening with Jeremy Kramer & Dr. Gonzo
Terry Sand finds and consults with Ron Kakiki to help transform his small neighborhood bar into our next home club, Cobb's Pub. (The San Francisco Hysterical Society - Comedy in the Marina) The July 10 Grand Opening events meet Femprov's limousine arrival with rented klieg lights. Initially Femprov performs on Friday and Saturdays for the first 3 months of the club's existence. We work these inaugeration weekends, and our improv magic to bring audiences to this unknown venue at Chestnut and Steiner in the Marina.
July 17 with Barry Sobel and Paula Poundstone
Terry Sand finds and consults with Ron Kakiki to help transform his small neighborhood bar into our next home club, Cobb's Pub. (The San Francisco Hysterical Society - Comedy in the Marina) The July 10 Grand Opening events meet Femprov's limousine arrival with rented klieg lights. Initially Femprov performs on Friday and Saturdays for the first 3 months of the club's existence. We work these inaugeration weekends, and our improv magic to bring audiences to this unknown venue at Chestnut and Steiner in the Marina.
July 17 with Barry Sobel and Paula Poundstone
July 18 with Kevin Meany and Jane Dornacker
July 24 with David Scheuber and Rick Reynolds
July 25 with Al Clethin and Evan Devis
The very first year of the SF Comedy Celebration at the Bandshell in Golden Gate Park. Femprov is one of 6 female performances in the all-day, largely male event.
The very first year of the SF Comedy Celebration at the Bandshell in Golden Gate Park. Femprov is one of 6 female performances in the all-day, largely male event.
August 20
Thursday at The Other
October 1
Thursday at The Other
October 8
Thursday at the Holy City Zoo
October 10
Cobb's Pub for a Saturday night show.
October 15
Travel to Los Angeles to showcase at the Improvisation.
October 16
11:00pm show at The Ad-Lib with Ronn Lucas, Susan Healy + Name Act(?)
October 17
Saturday night at Cobb's Pub
October 18
Jane Dornacker Roast at The Great American Music Hall. On the Sunday night bill with Jeremy Kramer, Bob Sarlatte, Paula Poundstone, Bobby Slayton, Barry Sobel and Dr. Don Rose.
December 6
?We travel across town for another anniversary show/celebration to the place where it all began, the Holy City Zoo. |
| Femprov T-shirts in sequence. Sold for $7, later $8, at shows. |
January
T-shirts are designed and sold at shows for $7. The merchandising begins
16 - We join Nora Dunn and Paula Poundstone for a Comedy Cafe on the Stanford campus sponsored by the Women's Center.
16-17 Weekend with the Stars Telethon. We answer phones and talk to donors along with other local celebrities. T-shirts are designed and sold at shows for $7. The merchandising begins
16 - We join Nora Dunn and Paula Poundstone for a Comedy Cafe on the Stanford campus sponsored by the Women's Center.
31 - We venture further down the coast to the The Club in Monterey.
Consistent bookings throughout this year at the Holy City Zoo, The Other Cafe and Cobb's Pub, where our monthly weekend 2-shows-nightly gig thru April included yet another TV taping.
February - May
Meanwhile, back at our now burgeoning Cobb's Pub, we maximize our play space time by teaching improvisational workshops on Saturday afternoons to spread the skills and fun.
Standup comedy bookings are added to the expanding Cobb's Pub comedy calendar and Femprov is enlisted to build up crowds on successive week nights. By May, Thursday has become Femprov Night at Cobb's.
Appearances at The Other Cafe and Holy City Zoo on various Sundays and Wednesdays
April
Performance at The Great American Music Hall for a SF Big Sisters benefit
May 5
The Other Cafe - Color Us Femprov
June 12
June 12
Comedienne Extravaganza at the The Great American Music Hall with Jane Dornacker, Kit Hollerbach, Nora Dunn, Susan Healy
July
Comedy Day Celebration and Femprov is there for the second year in a row.
October
Lunchtime performance in The Quad on the UC Davis campus
CARAL Benefit at the Julia Morgan Center with Will Durst, Paula Poundstone, Daryl Henriques, and our own Carol Roberts.
Comedy Day Celebration and Femprov is there for the second year in a row.
October
Lunchtime performance in The Quad on the UC Davis campus
CARAL Benefit at the Julia Morgan Center with Will Durst, Paula Poundstone, Daryl Henriques, and our own Carol Roberts.
November 3
The Last Day Saloon (next door to the HCZ) 3 night Benefit for a new sound system at the Holy City Zoo
May
City College's Theatre invited us to hold court at one of their speaker events.
July 16
Comedy Day Celebration and Femprov is there for the third year in a row.
August & September
Begin working regularly at the Baybrick during Friday's happy hour to a capacity crowd of appreciative women.
City College's Theatre invited us to hold court at one of their speaker events.
July 16
Comedy Day Celebration and Femprov is there for the third year in a row.August & September
Begin working regularly at the Baybrick during Friday's happy hour to a capacity crowd of appreciative women.
November 2, 30
Wednesday nights at Cobb's Pub - 2 for 1 admission with Datebook ad Monday thru Wednesday
December 14
Wednesday night Anniversary show at Cobb's Pub
September - December
More Bay Area venues feature comedy and Femprov is here and there; Concord, Pleasanton, Santa Cruz and beyond to Reno.
September - December
More Bay Area venues feature comedy and Femprov is here and there; Concord, Pleasanton, Santa Cruz and beyond to Reno.
1984 • partial
March 21, May 2, June 27
Femprov receives another nomination for Comedy Cabaret Gold Award in the Outstanding Comedy Group category, held at the Gift Center Pavilion
Pleasanton's 3rd Annual All-Pro Comedy Show sells out 8 days in advance, due in no small part to the bill, Jim Samuels, Leland Brown, Mark Pitta and Femprov.
June
Performed on the Belvedere stage at the 7th Annual Haight Ashbury Street Fair.
October
Halloween at Cobb's Pub with the premiere of Alien Fashion Show.
Five Years of Laughs. Femprov's Fifth Anniversary shows at Cobb's Pub with headliner Will Durst.
1985
January - December
Become a year-round staple at the Baybrick's Friday Cabaret happy hour, our continued success with the wonderful and appreciative crowd is rewarded by an overflowing tip jar, over and above our contractual pay.
Cobb's gigs continue and successful owner/bookers acquire a shuttered HCZ and change its name to Ha-Ha a Go-Go. We continue to be booked at the re-modeled venue.
March 14-17
Become a year-round staple at the Baybrick's Friday Cabaret happy hour, our continued success with the wonderful and appreciative crowd is rewarded by an overflowing tip jar, over and above our contractual pay.
Cobb's gigs continue and successful owner/bookers acquire a shuttered HCZ and change its name to Ha-Ha a Go-Go. We continue to be booked at the re-modeled venue.
March 14-17
Ha-Ha a Go-Go with Murphy St. Paul
Another Cabaret Gold Award nomination distinction. Along with other nominees, we perform a rousing rendition of There's No Business Like Show Business led by Charles Pierce at the Awards.
May 4
Perform at The Cole Street Fair on The Humanist Stage.
May 4
Perform at The Cole Street Fair on The Humanist Stage.
May 5
Sunday night at Cobb's Pub
June 16, 30
June 16, 30
Sunday nights at Cobb's Pub
The year of our infamous No Prisoner's Tour. Our rented Moon Van trundles all of us all over the Bay area and beyond (Nevada) for bookings to celebrate our 6 year anniversary, capped of by an amazing 4-show weekend at Santa Cruz's Kuumbwa Jazz Center.
June - November
The Bay Area's comedy heyday is in full swing as evidenced by the plethora of clubs and our gigs at Tommy Ts, Alfredo's, FUBARS, Zapp's, OT Prices, Talk of the Town, Etalo's, Marriott Hotels and the Ha Ha a Go Go, to name a few.
We are well-paid featured performers at the Chocolate HyattFest Weekend corporate event.
July 20
Our Fifth Annual Comedy Day Celebration at the GGPark Bandshell.
August 1-4
The year of our infamous No Prisoner's Tour. Our rented Moon Van trundles all of us all over the Bay area and beyond (Nevada) for bookings to celebrate our 6 year anniversary, capped of by an amazing 4-show weekend at Santa Cruz's Kuumbwa Jazz Center.
June - November
The Bay Area's comedy heyday is in full swing as evidenced by the plethora of clubs and our gigs at Tommy Ts, Alfredo's, FUBARS, Zapp's, OT Prices, Talk of the Town, Etalo's, Marriott Hotels and the Ha Ha a Go Go, to name a few.
We are well-paid featured performers at the Chocolate HyattFest Weekend corporate event.
July 20
Our Fifth Annual Comedy Day Celebration at the GGPark Bandshell.
August 1-4
Group Therapy Weekend with Uncle Stinky's Dipsy Doodle Revue at Ha-Ha-a Go-Go.
August 4 & 18
Sunday night at Cobb's Pub
October 29 & 31
Live Comedy at Illusions with Tom Kenny at the SF Marriott at the Wharf
November 7-9
Thursday thru Sunday with Rey Booker at the Ha-Ha a Go-Go
November 18
Performance at "Come to the Cabaret", a Cabaret Gold Festival at Club Fugazi.
December 8
Performance at "Come to the Cabaret", a Cabaret Gold Festival at Club Fugazi.
December 8
Sunday night at Tommy Ts Concord with Will Durst
December 21
Lipps with Faultline, National Theatre of the Deranged ,among other leading Bay Area improvisational theatre troupes.
1986 • partial
February 28
Performance at the 7th annual Bay Area Women in Music at Wolfgangs. Katie Webster, Mimi Farina, Faye Carol Trio, Rhiannon, Blue Jazz Cabaret, Lynn Ray, Tommie, Alta Mira among other special guests.
Performance at the 7th annual Bay Area Women in Music at Wolfgangs. Katie Webster, Mimi Farina, Faye Carol Trio, Rhiannon, Blue Jazz Cabaret, Lynn Ray, Tommie, Alta Mira among other special guests.
March 23
Saturday night at the Noe Valley Ministry with Will Durst
April 17
Bimbos 365 Club with Ellen Degeneres, Marga Gomez and Monica Palacios, Ruby Peterson, Ladies Against Women, The Merry Widows for Lights, Camera Auction • Female Comedy Night.
July & August
Several returns to Santa Cruz for gigs at OT Price's.
August 2
And of course, Comedy Day Celebration #6, still in GGPark's Bandshell, this year sponsored by The Chronicle.
April 17
Bimbos 365 Club with Ellen Degeneres, Marga Gomez and Monica Palacios, Ruby Peterson, Ladies Against Women, The Merry Widows for Lights, Camera Auction • Female Comedy Night.
July & August
Several returns to Santa Cruz for gigs at OT Price's.
August 2
And of course, Comedy Day Celebration #6, still in GGPark's Bandshell, this year sponsored by The Chronicle.
August 21
Lipps Benefit for the Producing Actors Theatre. Performed with various troupes — National Theatre of the Deranged, Duck's Breath Mystery Theatre, Not My Fault, Loose Change
October 14Lipps Benefit for the Producing Actors Theatre. Performed with various troupes — National Theatre of the Deranged, Duck's Breath Mystery Theatre, Not My Fault, Loose ChangeCalifornia State Lottery kicked off with Femprov dressed as Lotto Balls for the event in Union Square.
1987 • partial
March 9
Received our own engraved plaque from the Council of Entertainment honoring us with the Board of Directors Award at the 9th Annual Cabaret Gold Awards held at the Galleria Design Center.
March
The Third Annual Awards Dinner of the San Mateo County Women's Hall of Fame.
June 28
Kuumbwa Jazz Center - Santa Cruz - 2 shows
The Third Annual Awards Dinner of the San Mateo County Women's Hall of Fame.
Kuumbwa Jazz Center - Santa Cruz - 2 shows
??
Performed at The Noe Valley Ministry for Femprov's last officially booked performance.?December 26 or 27
All Star's Annual Improv Reunion at Lipps with members and alum from Comedy Underground, Deranged, The Committee, Loose Change, Faultline, Left Coast, Spaghetti Jam, Comedy Store Players, Second City
March 4, 2008
Denise Schultz Sharkey passes and leaves this world a little less funny…
June 14, 2008
Celebration of Life & Careers of Denise Schultz Sharkey • 9/27/1955 - 3/4/2008
Femprov convenes to perform and read her past theatre reviews, re-enact her stand-up jokes, tell fond stories, reminisce about her devotion to Femprov and speak in celebratory tones about her many contributions while we had her available to us in this world. We were joined by family members, friends and fellow performers to share their personal memories and view photos of her travels and exploits, all paying tribute by performing on the The California Club's picturesque stage, and later having a little nosh.
2009
First posts to this Femprov Blog to initiate the ongoing history project
March 4, 2008
Denise Schultz Sharkey passes and leaves this world a little less funny…
June 14, 2008
Celebration of Life & Careers of Denise Schultz Sharkey • 9/27/1955 - 3/4/2008
Femprov convenes to perform and read her past theatre reviews, re-enact her stand-up jokes, tell fond stories, reminisce about her devotion to Femprov and speak in celebratory tones about her many contributions while we had her available to us in this world. We were joined by family members, friends and fellow performers to share their personal memories and view photos of her travels and exploits, all paying tribute by performing on the The California Club's picturesque stage, and later having a little nosh.
2009
First posts to this Femprov Blog to initiate the ongoing history project
August 17, 2010
Barbara Scott receives the 1st Annual OCIC Award at the Eureka Theatre. Femprov performs/narrates a personalized This is Your Life type slide show (remote controlled from stage) at the ceremony.
FemprovFest at the Tides Theatre in our own backyard. #2 reason to be at Femprov Fest 2014. Coloring Book detailing Femprov history for the edification of festival attendees created as handouts to accompany the panel discussion/memory lane of SF-adjacent members.
December 2019
40th Anniversary photo card created and mailed to past members to commemorate Femprov's first show at the Holy City Zoo in 1979.