Ali Reza Farahnakian, a Saturday Night Live (SNL) writer for the 1999-2000 season and University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC) alumnus, opened a new comedy venue in Chapel Hill, the People’s Improv Theater (PIT).The venue is the third PIT location to be opened by Farahnakian.
The theater is housed at DSI Comedy Theater’s old location on Franklin St. and hopes to fill the gap left by DSI’s closing in August amid sexual misconduct allegations against its owner Zach Ward. Though he denied all allegations, Ward stepped down and closed the theater after 17 years.
“When the space became available, the PIT saw it as an opportunity to participate in an already vibrant comedy scene that was very much alive,” Farahnakian said. “The Triangle is home to some of the most talented performers in the South.”
The PIT has pledged to ensure a safe environment for its staff and students, already setting several programs in place to help prevent any kind of misconduct. STOPIt, an online tool used to anonymously report sexual misconduct, has recently been adopted by the venue.
“The adoption of STOPIt is an important part of PIT’s continued effort to provide positive and safe learning, working and performing environments for students, staff and performers,” the theater said in a statement.
The PIT is also hosting workshops for its staff and teachers to help prevent harassment in the space.
“We are undergoing training to create a common vocabulary around boundaries, address problematic behavior and manage challenging topics that arise in the classroom,” Farahnakian said.
Farahnakian, a North Carolina native, graduated from UNC in 1990 and relocated to Chicago to reach a more thriving comedy scene. During his time there, he became a founding member of the Upright Citizens Brigade comedy group and toured as a member of the Second City improv group with the likes of Tina Fey and Amy Poehler.
He was hired at SNL in 1999 and subsequently founded the PIT’s two other locations in New York City.
The PIT offers open mic nights, improv showcases and various workshops ranging from stand-up comedy to podcasting. Several open mics and “Improv Jams” have already taken place at the venue, allowing attendees to perform stand up material and improv scenes for free every Friday night.
Some Chapel Hill students are excited about the new theater. “I am thrilled to see a local [improv] venue opening up. It should provide some great opportunities for quality laughs and good times,” senior Rico Drago, captain of Chapel Hill High School’s improv team, said.
Farahnakian is committed to providing a valuable service to the community.
“We will make mistakes; we won’t be perfect; but we will try to put something here that will hopefully be of service to people, to further their craft, their community and maybe even their careers,” he wrote on Facebook.
The PIT has put the precedents into place that it hopes will help ensure a safe space for improvisers in the Triangle and is now calling on them to take advantage of it.
“The PIT strives to entertain and educate the community about the comedic arts in a safe and nurturing environment,” PIT said in a statement on its website, “and it all starts with you.”
