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(Pipeline is giving away two pairs of tickets to this show. To win, comment on this post on why you'd like to attend. Winners drawn Thursday morning and emailed.)

Posted by Meagan Kate

It's rare to find college students staying after class to continue the day's lesson. Thanks to a dynamic Portland State professor and a passion for improvisational comedy, Corporate Headquarters was born from this unique after school lesson plan.

Last month, I had a chance to see Corporate Headquarters at improv hot-spot The Brody Theater. All I knew walking into the Brody was that this was a group of twenty-somethings who were selling out the theater and already had a giant fan base.

I was blown away with their consistency and connection with the audience. Comprised of PSU students and alumni Christie Dell'Accio, Ian Karmel, Beth Hansen, Bridget Kitson, Margaret Gorman, Hans Eleveld, Jen Allen, Hallie Zmroczek, Laura Christensen and Steven Wales, Corporate Headquarters has only been working together since January of this year.

Recently,  I was able to crash the group's practice for their upcoming show and bombard them with questions that cut into the precious time they have together. They obliged without hesitation.

When meeting with this crew, their intricate preparation for the next show was obvious and impressive. The vibe of each game from Shakespeare to Half-Life was discussed; it felt cohesive and professional. I had to remind myself that these ten comedians have only been together a few months  — and are already more prepared and determined than groups twice their age and with twice their experience.

Each of the ten members has background in other areas of art; dance, acting, singing. After Scott Parker's Improv I course at PSU — the group realized they had something special. Parker's TA, Ian Karmel, offered to stay after class with students who felt the urge. The ones who consistently stuck around merged to form Corporate Headquarters. "These guys were the best I'd seen in any of the classes," Karmel told me. "It was obvious there was something different."

Though ten comedians, they all assured me that they wouldn't have it any other way; one member put it best saying it's a conscious effort to decide if getting more stage time is as important as having a larger, more dynamic group.

Other than their age and love for the craft, the group stands out in another major way. There are three men and seven women. With each woman standing out with her own unique style and talent, it's a tribute to our generation's promotion of women in comedy. ‘The men!' you yell, ‘What about the men!?' Never fear, lovely Pipeline readers, the men in this group are absolutely stand out.

When I asked ‘why improv' — I got responses I couldn't have written myself. It's ability to serve as therapy, it's constant evolution, and — of course — the fact that it allows them to make others laugh, were presented with honesty and sincerity.

Finally, when I asked the group how they came up with the name, Hansen looked at me square in the eye and said "I was making a bagel sandwich and it came to me." The entire group burst out into laughter and it struck me just then that this group's success is not just because of their talent but because of their admiration for one another. That fact is undoubtedly taking Corporate Headquarters to the top.

WHAT: Corporate Headquarters @ Brody Theater
WHEN: August 13th, 9:30pm
HOW MUCH?: $8 (free if you get tickets from us!)
WHERE: Brody Theater