Pop Scholars

I don’t know why people say being two is so terrible.
Pop Scholars has been two for almost an entire year and it has been the opposite of terrible.

Take a look at what happened!

1) The Grand Rapids Press wrote an article about us that never made it to the internet!
2) We were in the Rapidian!
3) We were a best bet by Todd Chance!
4) We were on the River 100.5!
5) We had nightmares!
6) We tried dating on eHarmony!
7) We went on vacation!
8) We performed with Ben Wilke (but don’t tell Matt)!
9) We performed at San Chez!
10) We performed at Chicago’s Improv Olympic!
11) We were in Laughfest, the Kalamazoo Improv Festival, and the Big Little Comedy Festival!
12) We had our first real live openers: Bait n’ Switch!
13) And most importantly, you came to our shows.

We love you guys so much. Seriously, it’s making our eyes water.
THAT’S LOVE.

To celebrate this beautiful thing we’ve all created together, Pop Scholars is having our 3rd Birthday Party.
You’re invited (to buy tickets to it).

Pop Scholars Presents: Happy 3rd Birthday!
May 4 and 5 at 8pm.
Pre-order tickets online, or come check us out at the door of Dog Story Theater.

Hey LADIES,

Yeah, you probably heard we rocked some shows for Laugh Fest. Some people called us “headliner of the festival”, while other people called us “who?”

ANYWAYS, we’ve been hidden away in the lab, coming up with a new show for y’all.

Here’s what we dun come up with:

That’s right, it’s local college-aged improvisers, “Bait & Switch!”
Yeah, we made it. We’re big enough to have an opener. We’re impressed, too.

So, you can expect a FULL, critically acclaimed (?) Pop Scholars Show and BONUS Bait & Switch.
It’s like an Easter pretty-good-thing-to-have-happen!

Pop Scholars Presents: Switch!
April 6 and 7 at 8pm.
Pre-order tickets online, or come check us out at the door of Dog Story Theater.

Happy Valentines Day, Grand Rapids!

It seems like just yesterday that we started, you know, going steady and all.

And since we have been dating so seriously these last few… er… months or years… we decided it’s time to give you a gift.

NO, it’s not a show.
We got you that last year, silly.
…

It’s TWO shows!

Surprise!

First is a dinner theater night at San Chez!
It’s this Friday, the 17th!
Doors open at 7 and the show starts at 7:30!
WZZM thinks you should go!

Tickets are $45 and include a four course meal. I know, we shouldn’t have. Also, let’s go Dutch this year; feel free to buy your ticket by calling 616.774.8272.

Second is our romantic, intimate evening at Dog Story Theater. This will be the last weekend to catch us before Laugh Fest, so be there or be square.

Also, if you come we’ll give you a free magnet.

Aw, deets, deets, deets, deets, deets, deets:

Pop Scholars Presents: Valentimes!
February 24 and 25 at 8pm.
Pre-order tickets online, or come check us out at the door of Dog Story Theater.

We have a list of resolutions we’re making as a team this year.
What’s that?
No, they can still come true if we tell you them, you’re thinking of birthdays.

ANYWAYS:
1) Quit smoking cured meats
2) Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle more jokes
3) Encourage other people to work out
4) 1080p
5) Have a show this weekend

So far, we’re batting 0.2;
338 days and 4 resolutions to go!

Here’s some details on our show, ya’ll:

Pop Scholars Presents: Resolutions!
January 27 and 28 at 8pm.
Pre-order tickets online, or come check us out at the door of Dog Story Theater.

We got you a present!
No, we didn’t wrap it or anything.
No, it definitely isn’t a white elephant gift. It’s super sincere.
SUPER sincere.
Like, probably the most sincere thing we’ve ever done.

What? No, we’re being serious.
I don’t know how to be more clear that this isn’t a joke.
Why can’t we ever sound sincere to you? Honestly, why? Is it our tone of voice?
THIS ISN’T SARCASM.

You know what? Fine. Think what you want.
We were just going to say that we were giving you OUR FUNNIEST SHOW EVER THIS COMING WEEKEND, but you know what?
GO AHEAD AND THINK WE’RE BEING SARCASTIC.
We don’t even CARE.

Ok, well THERE we were being sarcastic, sure…

…let’s talk in person from now on.

ANYWAYS, in all seriousness- we can’t wait to share our holiday joy with you in some amazing shows this weekend:

Pop Scholars Presents: Yultides Have Turned!
December 9 and December 10 at 8pm.
Pre-order tickets online, or come check us out at the door of Dog Story Theater.

Whew. We’ve been busy.
With what, you may ask?

No, seriously, please ask.

Ok, I’ll tell you anyway. We were in Chicago opening up for Sabotage! at iO (formerly known as Improv Olympic).

And in case you don’t believe me, and think this is just a one-upsman attempt, look! Proof!

Proof that we at least stood on that stage.
And who are you not to believe me? Were you there?
OF COURSE NOT.

But, I have good news!
Even though you missed it, we’re going to be performing the same CHICAGO QUALITY LONGFORM IMPROV right here in Grand Rapids this coming weekend!

Here are the ‘tails:

Pop Scholars Presents: Prodigal Scholars!
November 18 and November 19 at 8pm.
Pre-order tickets online, or come check us out at the door of Dog Story Theater.

P.S. Matt’s back. Hurray!?

Psst! Hey! Yeah, you!

Ok, so this is sort of a secret, so get in close.
Listen, Pop Scholars is performing a special show for ONE TIME ONLY!

…sorry I yelled in your ear like that, it’s just super important that you understand how this is only happening once. It’s not “Friday and Saturday,” just ONCE. On FRIDAY.

Why is it a secret, you ask? Well, look- Matt Sterenberg is out of town, and we promised him we wouldn’t perform without him.
WELL, we lied. We’re not perfect, ok? Don’t judge us.
Also, don’t go all vigilante and tell Matt, because then you’ll make him feel bad.

I mean, just look at the guy. If that forced smile isn’t a thin veneer covering some deep-seated unhappiness, I don’t know WHAT is.

So, for ONE TIME ONLY (to start), we’ll be replacing Matt with a guy we met named Ben Wilke.
He’s great. He’s super aggressive on stage. He calls himself a jerk. You’ll love him.

We’re going to perform a longform called Pop Scholars: Headlines!
See?

Pop Scholars Presents: Headlines!
October 21 at 8pm.
Pre-order tickets online, or come check us out at the door of Dog Story Theater.

Again, everybody be cool. Don’t tell Matt.
XOXO,
Pop Scholars (minus Matt)

We’re tired.

And before you say anything, this isn’t a “who’s the tiredest” contest, so don’t start.
But if it were a “who’s the tiredest” contest, we would win; but seriously it isn’t, so stop trying to prove something.

I think we need another vacation.
Yes, we just had one last month, and Labor Day was this week, but we have a lot of responsibilities and deserve lots of breaks.

Pop Scholars Summer Vacation Redux.
September 9 and 10 at 8pm.
Pre-order tickets online, or come check us out at the door of Dog Story Theater.

NOTE: Since we’re tired, and starting at 8pm these days, it gives you enough time to run out after our show and see these! You’ll even have already secured good parking!

Yay, hooray,
Pop Scholars

Pop Scholars Summer Vacation

Let me ask you a question. What’s the one thing that is constant in this life? Change, that’s right.

Wellllll, guess what!
Nope, that isn’t it.
Uh… not that either…
Gross… ok, stop.
Here’s what it is, you’re embarrassing yourself:

Pop Scholars has a brand new longform for the closing of the summer season. Yay!

Pop Scholars Summer Vacation.
August 12 and 13 at 9pm.
Pre-order tickets online, or come check us out at the door of Dog Story Theater.

XOXO
Pop Scholars

Oh, and P.S.

I wasn’t going to tell you this, but: Pop Scholars will have a cash bar Friday night to support Dog Story Theater that opens at 8:30pm, with an intermission for additional debauchery.
Never let it be said that we didn’t have fun together.

Pop Scholars Presents: "A Best of…" Weekend

Ok… I know what you're thinking.
"How can an improvised comedy show, which is, by its very nature, made up on the spot, produce a "Best of…" weekend? Or a "Best of…" anything? How is this possible?"

Well, clever madam or sir, what you forget is that Pop Scholars specializes in developing different flavors of long form improvised comedy, each more different than the last^TM.

So, by popular demand, Pop Scholars is re-running newly-improvising two of our best shows: eHarmony and Your Improvised Nightmare.

Pop Scholars Presents: "A Best of…" Weekend.
July 8 and 9 at 9pm.
Pre-order tickets online, or come check us out at the door of Dog Story Theater.

XOXO
Pop Scholars