Sure, there are lots of locations in Dallas where you can see live stage performances or experience gut-busting comedy acts. But how many places combine with essential events for the broader local community? That’s a tall order for most comedy venues.
The complex’s recent, second-ever 48 Hour Laugh-a-Thon (which took place from Feb. 28 through March 2) exemplified the balance of wackiness and heartfelt community efforts. This two-day comedy extravaganza hosted events with strikingly silly names, such as “Waffle Stomp Late Night Dirty Improv Show” and “The Art of Buffoonery Clown Comedy Hour.”
There was also what Stomping Ground described as "free and pay-what-you-can comedy classes." These included "Kids Ages 8-13 Improv Drop-In Class" and "Improv for Caregivers Drop-In Class." Forthcoming events include the March 21 shindig "Now THAT's What I Call TV! The Improvised Sitcom" and courses such as "Improv for Seniors."
There’s something for everyone at Stomping Ground, whether you’re looking for some laughs on a Friday night or seeking out improv to help navigate existence.
Stomping Ground co-founder Lindsay Goldapp is one of the minds behind this multitude of courses and events. The variety in Stomping Ground’s programming is an inevitable byproduct of the many different ways Goldapp has seen improv comedy throughout her life.
The comedian first became enamored with improv in college. Her initial plans to pursue a traditional stage acting career eventually gave way to a life focused solely on improvisational comedy.
“I have severe anxiety, and I see how improv has [improved] my anxiety,” Goldapp says. “As someone who comes with a theater background, there was something so freeing about getting on stage and just playing pretend. I could play 10 different characters in one night.”
That passion has driven Goldapp’s nearly 25 years of experience in improv and informed her realization of Stomping Ground and its most unorthodox ambitions. That included performing and executing comedic routines at the most ungodly hours for the 48-Hour Laugh-a-Thon at the start of March.
“We [did] comedy in the middle of the night, whether anyone’s watching or not, [we made] ourselves laugh,” Goldapp says. There’s no time of the day Goldapp won’t reaffirm her commitment to improvised comedy.
Goldapp often mentions the concept of “unity.” This notion is ingrained into improvised comedy since this form of live humor requires multiple people to bounce off each other. It’s also the cornerstone of year-round Stomping Ground undertakings meant to improve the lives of Dallas residents. An especially notable example of this noble manifestation of “unity” is in Stomping Ground’s popular “Improv for Anxiety” classes.
Chuckle Up
“When we opened the theater, we knew we wanted to create an improv class specifically for people who have anxiety,” Goldapp says. “Some of the people who go to this class, it’s lucky they even made it to the door, they were anxious about even coming to the class. They were anxious about doing their first exercise … so many people in the class became so comfortable with performing that they were like, ‘Maybe we wanna keep doing this.’”These exercises allow attendees to build profound connections with others, a virtue Goldapp sees as ingrained into the DNA of improvised comedy.
“Improv is already an art form where you get very quickly bonded, and you learn to collaborate and trust each other very quickly,” Goldapp says. “You’re being very vulnerable in these classes, and you’re really sharing your authentic weird self and all that comes with that. So you get bonded really quickly.”
Stomping Ground’s classes take those qualities to a new level by using improv to make life bearable for those with mental health issues. Other events at this complex are geared toward elderly folks (including those with Alzheimer’s and other conditions), kids suffering from anxiety and people with autism. These classes are tailored to different age ranges and mental health circumstances. They’re all informed by the notion that improvised comedy can help unite people and make life better.
“I think now more than ever, when people are not feeling safe in their spaces, it’s more important than ever for us to create and cultivate a place where everyone can come feel safe and comfortable and included and welcome,” Goldapp says of the more significant importance of Stomping Ground, “and a place for them to create art and find their people.”
Upcoming events at Stomping Ground,1350 Manufacturing St. No. 109, include "The Assembly Variety Show" from 7:30–8:30 p.m., Monday, March 14, and "Big Dang Friday featuring Caught up in the Hoo Ha & KEVIN!" from 9–10 p.m., Monday, March 14. Find tickets and more info for upcoming events on the Stomping Ground website.
