HISTORY
PAST MEMBERS
• Brent Tubbs (2014-2019)
• Nate Klaus (2012-2015)
• John Hannon (Co-Creator; 2011-2014)
SPECIAL GUEST PERFORMERS
• Nick Armstrong (Rise Comedy / Improv Utopia)
• Mary Mack (Solar Opposites)
• Matt Higbee (iO Theater)
• Kat Gotsick (iO Theater, CSz Chicago)
• Josh Feemster (iO West, The Groundlings)
• Gregory Phillips (Diabolical Fishbank)
• Claire Wilcher (Blarf)
• Jon Colby (Dudesical)
• Clay Sander (WNEP Theater, The Second City)
• Kim Scarfe (The Holograms)
• Tim Overton (Chowdown Improv)
• Chowdown Improv (Des Moines, IA)
• Improv Mining Co. (Helena, MT)
• Cow Tipping Comedy (Helena, MT)
• Jeremy Mahr (G.I.T. Improv)
• Dan Logan (Chowdown Improv)
• Tori House (Victoria's Secret Show)
• Bob Kelly (Tubbs & Kelly Present)
• Jen Kuhle (The Holograms)
• Brent Tubbs (Cross, Ross, & Tubbs)
• Nate Klaus (Bandwagon)
GUESTS OF THE PODCAST
(In order of appearance)
• Josh Feemster (iO West, The Groundlings)
• Bob Kelly (Tubbs & Kelly Present)
• Amy Seeley and Mike Ross (Seeley & Ross)
• Susan Messing (The Annoyance, iO Theater)
• Jaclynn Cherry (Planet Ant)
• Marc Warzecha (The Second City)
• Joe Bill (The Magnet Theater, iO Theater)
• Jeremy Mahr (Sketchville)
• Kat Gotsick (iO Theater)
• Jon Colby (Dudesical)
• Claire Wilcher (Blarf)
• Dan Logan (Mixed-Up Comedy)
• Tori House (Victoria's Secret Show)
• Edith Head (Brady Bunch, Nathan Clark,
Todd Bosley, & Allison Summers)
Timeline
2011
Created in 2011 by Leslie Mitchell, Jeff De Leon, and John Hannon with the mission statement: ”Bring quality, fun, uncensored long form improv comedy to the world… as long as it keeps being fun to produce and no one turns into a jerk or anything,” Wisenheimer debuts on Wednesday, December 14th at The Establishment in The District of Rock Island, IL.
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2012
Wisenheimer produces 52 shows by running every Wednesday for a year, slowly building a loyal following each passing week, and resulting in a feature article done in the Quad-City Times in April acknowledging the increasing popularity of uncensored improv in the area. The following month, frequent guest performer Nate Klaus joined the cast as the show expanded to four members.
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2013
In January, The Establishment launched The Late Night Studio Series, where Wisenheimer was moved to a permanent residency with shows the first Saturday of every month. That month, they also produce two new shows: Side Project, which featured a local celebrity as a special guest monologist in an Armando-style format; in addition, Leslie and Jeff create a two-person improv group, Tandem, for the purposes of performing at improv festivals.
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2014
John Hannon performed his final show with Wisenheimer in May. Frequent guest performer Brent Tubbs joined the cast the following month.
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2015
At the 2015 ComedySportz World Championship in June, three members of Wisenheimer were featured performers during a live recording of Improv Nerd with Jimmy Carrane as well as two members representing ComedySportz Quad Cities in the championship match. That same month, Nate Klaus performed for the final time with Wisenheimer, and the troupe returned to its original 3-person format.
In November, Tandem concludes their 2+ year run as Wisenheimer begins attending festivals as a full cast by making their touring debut at the C-U Improv Festival in Champaign, IL.
On Saturday, December 5th, Wisenheimer formally announced the launch of Wisenheimer: The Podcast at their 4-Year Anniversary show.
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2016
Wisenheimer is an official selection to the Green Gravel Comedy Festival in March, the Big Des Moines Improv Festival in April, the Detroit Improv Festival in August, and the Crossroads Comedy Festival in October.
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2017
Wisenheimer is an official selection to the Third Coast Improv Fest in Nashville, TN. They also retain their residency at The Establishment under its new brand, The Late Nite Shows.
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2018
Following multiple guest performances, Jen Kuhle officially joined Wisenheimer in April growing the troupe back to four members. Many Quad Cities area shows feature the entire cast whereas Leslie, Jeff, and Jen serve as a touring company for festivals. Leslie, Jeff and Brent continue to host Wisenheimer: The Podcast.
Wisenheimer is an official selection to Improv Festivus in Richmond, VA.
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2019
At the beginning of the year, Brent Tubbs leaves the regular cast while remaining a co-host of the podcast as the troupe reverts back to its original 3-person format.
Wisenheimer ended their seven-year residency at The Establishment performing one final time on May 4th due to the venue ceasing operations.
Wisenheimer performed twice in Des Moines, IA alongside Chowdown Improv (including opening for their anniversary show) as well as become regular performers at the Improv Incubator series at Penguin’s Comedy Club in Cedar Rapids, IA. They are also an official selection to Omaha Improv Festival in Omaha, NE; Helena Good Time Comedy Weekend in Helena, MT; Twin Cities Improv Festival in Minneapolis, MN; Compass Improv Festival in St. Louis; Third Coast Improv Festival in Nashville, TN; Improv Festivus in Richmond, VA; and the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in Scotland as part of Improv Cage Match. In addition, the members of Wisenheimer joined the international touring cast of Crime Of The Hour as well as take part in numerous all-ages improv matches with ComedySportz Manchester.
Wisenheimer celebrated their 8-Year Anniversary and the relaunch of The Late Nite Shows with a performance at their new Quad Cities’ home, The Black Box Theatre, alongside special guests, Chowdown Improv.
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2020
At the beginning of the year, Wisenheimer continued shows at the The Black Box Theatre as well as having a featured performer spot at the Improv Incubator at Penguins Comedy Club in Cedar Rapids, IA.
Following the outbreak of the global pandemic, Wisenheimer postponed all live performances. Moving to an online format, the troupe were guest performers on the Chowdown Digital Comedy Show and headlined the Compass Improv Festival in September.
Wisenheimer released a special social media video in lieu of a live 9-Year Anniversary Show as all local theatres remain closed to protect against the spread of COVID-19.
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2021
After a year-plus of being unable to perform in-person shows, Wisenheimer returned to live performances in March during a sold out Wisenheimer Takes Over Weekend at Teehee’s Comedy Club in Des Moines, IA. That weekend led to the troupe being offered a residency of monthly shows at the venue. While in Des Moines, the troupe created an alter ego group dubbed Pants Party, where they won and defended the championship numerous times in Improv Comedy DeathMatch 3000.
Wisenheimer also helped relaunch the The Late Nite Shows at The Black Box Theatre with a sold out show in May. In addition, they hosted a 10-Year Anniversary Show at the venue featuring a retrospective, appearances by alumni, and Chowdown Improv returning as their opening act.
Wisenheimer is an official selection to both the Flyover Comedy Festival in St. Louis, MO and for Improv Festivus in Richmond, VA.
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2022
Wisenheimer continued their residencies at both Teehee’s Comedy Club and The Black Box Theatre. In May, the troupe returned to the re-launched Improv Incubator at CSPS Hall in Cedar Rapids, IA, as well as debuted at Willow Creek Theatre in Iowa City, IA, They also had their first-ever show at The Lucky Cat in Cedar Rapids, IA, in July resulting in continued bookings through the rest of the year at the venue. The troupe also holds a unique distinction as being the first-ever and last-ever show for The Late Nite Shows as the brand officially ended following a nine-year run in December. Wisenheimer is an official selection to Improv Festivus in Richmond, VA.
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2023
In January, Wisenheimer had their first-ever show in Raleigh. NC performing at ComedyWorx, in addition to facilitating two improv workshops. The troupe continues their open runs at Teehee’s Comedy Club, The Black Box Theatre, and The Lucky Cat.
At their second-ever joint show with Chowdown Improv in February, the groups were each joined by special guest performer and acclaimed international voiceover artist, Mary Mack. In May, Wisenheimer was joined by special guest performer, Nick Armstrong.
In August, Wisenheimer officially became an LLC. In addition, the troupe were an official selection to the 2023 Countdown Improv Festival in Tampa, FL as well as the inaugural 2023 Last Best Comedy Fest in Bozeman, MT. Wisenheimer ended their Teehee’s Comedy Club residency in September with a double feature showcase joined by their friends, Diabolical Fishbank from Raleigh, NC, in back-to-back shows at both the Quad Cities and Des Moines.
2024
Wisenheimer will continue shows at The Black Box Theatre and Teehee’s Comedy Club.