BUSINESS FEATURE Fallout Theater Comedy club turns the spotlight on local talent A s more large comedy venues open their doors in Austin and the city’s comedy scene shifts from intimate local acts to sold-out festivals, Fallout Theater owner Carlos LaRotta said he can see a positive side to the change. “If it makes Austin seem like a big comedy town, I dig it,” he said. “The rising tide lifts all boats.” The theater is located underground at 616 Lavaca St., Austin. Since it was built about 100 years ago, the space was once a fallout shelter, or protective space designed for radioactive incidents during the Cold War, for the building—hence the name Fallout Theater—before being converted to the printing press for The Texas Observer . In January 2018, ve former New Movement comics, which previously used the space, opened Fallout Theater. The theater focuses on local talent and hosts nightly shows, many in Armando style—a type of improv performance based on a true story from an audience member, LaRotta said. In Fallout’s most popular weekly show, “[Exple- tive] This Week,” an audience member shares a di cult moment they had during the week, and Fallout performers create a scene to make light of the bad experience. “We’re not laughing at the person, but the bizarre things that happened that made that situa- tion [di cult],” said Mason Pitluk, artistic director at Fallout Theater. Many shows at Fallout are experimental, such as the “Laugh Track,” wherein a comic does standup on a treadmill that gets progressively faster. Fallout Theater also hosts improv and sketch comedy classes for adults of all levels. “Everyone has di erent things that hold them back: embarrassment, ego, nerves,” Pitluk said. “The beginner classes are focused on getting out of your head.” BY KATY MCAFEE
In Fallout Theater’s show “[Expletive] This Week,” performers create a show based on a true story from the audience.
COURTESY HENRY LISNER
ATTEND A SHOW
”Garage ”: a music-inspired improv set by an all female and nonbinary cast THURSDAYS “Sure Thing” : a classic standup comedy show FRIDAYS
“Slide in the DMs” : a show based on creepy messages SATURDAYS
The Fallout Theater room is an intimate space that seats about 80 guests.
Fallout Theater 616 Lavaca St., Austin 616-676-7209 www.falloutcomedy.com Hours: Mon. 7:30- 11p.m., Tue.-Fri. 7:30-11:30 p.m., Sat.-Sun. 8:30-11:30 p.m. 35
KATY MCAFEE COMMUNITY IMPACT Carlos LaRotta is the owner of Fallout Theater.
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SOUTH CENTRAL AUSTIN EDITION • MARCH 2023
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