Oui Be Negroes
Encyclopedia
Oui Be Negroes is considered the original African American
Improvisational / Sketch Comedy
Ensemble in the United States. Founded by Artistic Director Shaun Landry and Director Hans Summers. They worked together for years in Chicago
with the Underground Theatre Conspiracy, and had thrown around the idea of an African American
driven Sketch and Improvisational Comedy Troupe, which would be geared specifically toward social and political humor.
Before Oui Be Negroes
To learn the history of Oui Be Negroes, one has to first look at the original company The Underground Theatre Conspiracy. The UTC was founded by Hans Summers in 1985 with performers he had worked with at the Players' Workshop of the Second City. In the beginning the roster of players looked pretty much like one of the hundreds that could be found in the 1980s performing at any space available on the Northside of Chicago. But the UTC had one major difference, they produced the first multimedia
comedy in the city. It blended stage performance with prerecorded video material and a live camera. The show with the unlikely title of "Fooglewoogle-The Multi-Media Comedy" was warmly received. "The evening ranges between the security of canned video segments (theater as television) and the insecurity of improv comedy combined with live video segments. It’s an interesting rush to go from the frozen, two-dimensional hilarity of the comedy videos to the wild and crazy stuff generated by these basic improv games." (Lawrence Bommer) Windy City Times
After two successful runs Shaun Landry was added to the UTC's roster of performers. This came at a time (1986) when Shaun was one of three African-Americans performing improv comedy in the city of Chicago. From the very beginning Shaun was a major force with the UTC. As early as 1987 Shaun and Hans attempted to organize a minority driven comedy ensemble but without any luck.
Regardless of that, the UTC continued to be a steady force throughout the late 1980s averaging two or more original stage productions a year; "Batman
Died for Our Sins", "A Sweet Home Chicago", "Space, An Exploration of What's Between Us", "Are We Alone and if so Who Are You?" "This group makes you feel good again about something all of us at times tend to overlook; the mere reason for which we go to the theatre in the first place; to be entertained. These guys not only go out on the edge, they take you there with them. One feels as though they've left the theatre with a virtual doggy-bag full of food for thought." (Richard Morris) Performink
Then in 1990, Hans and Shaun decided to take it on the road relocating the company to Seattle. There they continued to be productive with their brand of humor; “Twin Lakes or Who Killed Laura Petrie", Silence of the Yams or Guess Who We're Having for Dinner", "The Improv Thang" "Neither David Lynch’s cult sudser nor Dick Van Dyke’s perky TV wife figures into this improvisational comedy revue, but few other subjects are left unmocked by the quick-witted Underground Theatre Conspiracy. Recently transplanted from Chicago, the troupe blitzes through a series of sketches, blackout gags, and running jokes with a winning blend of pointed satire and casual good cheer." (AJ Mell) Seattle Weekly
But when they were asked to produce a show for the Seattle Fringe Festival, what came out was the fore runner of what would become the Oui Be Negroes style of show. "Tales From the Crib was a two person show that examined interracial issues and turned out to be one of the hits of the festival. At that point Shaun and Hans felt that the time might be right for a minority company and what better place to kick it off then back home in Chicago.
Birth of Oui Be Negroes 1994-2000
“Basically, the ‘Oui’ part comes from African Americans who went over to France in the ‘20s and ‘30s and did very well for them
-selves, folks like Fats Waller
and Josephine Baker
. It's homage to that,” Landry says, pausing. “And it's just damn funny.” Landry explains that most people giggle when they hear the name, but every now and then, it makes “very nice liberal white folks” just a little nervous." (Patti Hartigan) Boston Globe “For example, “Landry says, “during the O.J.(Simpson) trial we did a game show format called ‘Who do you Blame?’ and the guilty party was always a black man in a stocking cap. African-American audiences are the most responsive. Backstage Magazine
In 1993, Landry actively went seeking actors of color and ran upon them at The Second City
Outreach Program. There she assembled the original ensemble Along with Summers as the lone Caucasian
member, they mounted Oui Be Negroes’ first show at Cafe Voltaire in Chicago.
"The big thing was: Be who you are," Landry says. "Don't hold back on anything." In part (with OBN) she hoped to provide an alternative to white-majority teams where black actors could avoid roles that might come off as stereotypical: big mamas, pimps, dice-rolling hustlers and the like. (Darel Jevens) Chicago Sun-Times
Oui Be Negroes presented original satirical show with names like "Can We Dance with Yo Dance", "One Drop is All It Takes", "Once You Go Black", "All Coons Look Alike to Me" (inspired by the popular Coon Song
of 1896) "The Artists Formerly Known as Oui Be Negroes" and "Absolute Negritude
" in Chicago
from 1994 through 1999 that explored black culture and history before relocating the troupe to San Francisco.
Intelligent alacrity has always characterized the work of Shaun Landry and Hans Summers, founding members of the comedy troupe Oui Be Negroes. And in their most recent revue, these two plus Merle Dandridge and Marvin Howard probe the corners of our culture for satirical humor often overlooked by...or flat-out forbidden to other comedians.(Mary Shen Barnidge) Chicago Reader
OBN has toured all over the United States from New York
to Los Angeles
to Austin
to Boston
, in addition to performances outside of the U.S. in Canada
and the Netherlands
Oui Be Negroes in SF 2000-2009
In year 2000, Oui Be Negroes relocated from its birth place in Chicago
to San Francisco California. There they continued to produced sketch and improvisational show with an edge such as "X", "To Pigmeat Markham
Thanks for Everything, Spike Lee
" 'Bury James Brown
as well as being the house ensemble of The San Francisco Improv Alliance
. "their style and attitude, not to mention their threadbare theater, is reminiscent of the legendary San Francisco sketch and improv group from the '60s and '70s, The Committee
." (Pat Craig) Contra Costa Times
Oui Be Negroes, Los Angeles 2009-
In 2009, Landry & Summers made the latest big jump to Los Angeles
where they continue to produce Oui Be Negroes show as well as duo performances as Landry & Summers at Improv Olympic West, The Second City
LA as well as the Avery Schreiber
Theatre in North Hollywood. Their first extended duo show in Los Angeles entitled 'Yes, We Are F**king' played at The Second City
LA during the 2009 holiday season. "Their chemistry is just as obvious off-stage as well. In an interview following their opening-night performance, the bubbly Landry – who is frequently mistaken for her friend, “Pine Sol Lady” Diane Amos – and the reserved, serious Summers – who, with his shock of grey hair, looks more like a college professor than an actor and comedian – often finished each other’s thoughts and sentences." Leon Acord - WEHO News
Oui Be Negroes celebrated their 15 Anniversary by returning home to Chicago to perform as part of the 12th Annual Chicago Improv Festival.
Landry & Summers continue to perform their biting style of social and political humor in 2010 with Interraciallicious at MI's Westside Comedy Theater in Santa Monica
, CA and as featured act for DuoFest 2010 in Philadelphia, PA We loved it! The chemistry between the two is wonderful. I was sad to have to say goodnight - we would have loved to have spent hours getting to know these talented actors. – Goldstar Events
audience comments about Interraciallicious
African American
African Americans are citizens or residents of the United States who have at least partial ancestry from any of the native populations of Sub-Saharan Africa and are the direct descendants of enslaved Africans within the boundaries of the present United States...
Improvisational / Sketch Comedy
Sketch comedy
A sketch comedy consists of a series of short comedy scenes or vignettes, called "sketches," commonly between one and ten minutes long. Such sketches are performed by a group of comic actors or comedians, either on stage or through an audio and/or visual medium such as broadcasting...
Ensemble in the United States. Founded by Artistic Director Shaun Landry and Director Hans Summers. They worked together for years in Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
with the Underground Theatre Conspiracy, and had thrown around the idea of an African American
African American
African Americans are citizens or residents of the United States who have at least partial ancestry from any of the native populations of Sub-Saharan Africa and are the direct descendants of enslaved Africans within the boundaries of the present United States...
driven Sketch and Improvisational Comedy Troupe, which would be geared specifically toward social and political humor.
Before Oui Be Negroes
To learn the history of Oui Be Negroes, one has to first look at the original company The Underground Theatre Conspiracy. The UTC was founded by Hans Summers in 1985 with performers he had worked with at the Players' Workshop of the Second City. In the beginning the roster of players looked pretty much like one of the hundreds that could be found in the 1980s performing at any space available on the Northside of Chicago. But the UTC had one major difference, they produced the first multimedia
Multimedia
Multimedia is media and content that uses a combination of different content forms. The term can be used as a noun or as an adjective describing a medium as having multiple content forms. The term is used in contrast to media which use only rudimentary computer display such as text-only, or...
comedy in the city. It blended stage performance with prerecorded video material and a live camera. The show with the unlikely title of "Fooglewoogle-The Multi-Media Comedy" was warmly received. "The evening ranges between the security of canned video segments (theater as television) and the insecurity of improv comedy combined with live video segments. It’s an interesting rush to go from the frozen, two-dimensional hilarity of the comedy videos to the wild and crazy stuff generated by these basic improv games." (Lawrence Bommer) Windy City Times
Windy City Times
Windy City Times is Chicago's oldest LGBT newspaper, and the only Chicago gay publication with an independent circulation audit current as of 2008....
After two successful runs Shaun Landry was added to the UTC's roster of performers. This came at a time (1986) when Shaun was one of three African-Americans performing improv comedy in the city of Chicago. From the very beginning Shaun was a major force with the UTC. As early as 1987 Shaun and Hans attempted to organize a minority driven comedy ensemble but without any luck.
Regardless of that, the UTC continued to be a steady force throughout the late 1980s averaging two or more original stage productions a year; "Batman
Batman
Batman is a fictional character created by the artist Bob Kane and writer Bill Finger. A comic book superhero, Batman first appeared in Detective Comics #27 , and since then has appeared primarily in publications by DC Comics...
Died for Our Sins", "A Sweet Home Chicago", "Space, An Exploration of What's Between Us", "Are We Alone and if so Who Are You?" "This group makes you feel good again about something all of us at times tend to overlook; the mere reason for which we go to the theatre in the first place; to be entertained. These guys not only go out on the edge, they take you there with them. One feels as though they've left the theatre with a virtual doggy-bag full of food for thought." (Richard Morris) Performink
Performink
Performink is a Chicago theatre industry newspaper. It includes show openings and reviews, audition listings, and industry and union news for Chicago actors, directors, dancers, designers, and other theatre professionals. The owner/publishing-editor Carrie Kaufman started the paper in 1990...
Then in 1990, Hans and Shaun decided to take it on the road relocating the company to Seattle. There they continued to be productive with their brand of humor; “Twin Lakes or Who Killed Laura Petrie", Silence of the Yams or Guess Who We're Having for Dinner", "The Improv Thang" "Neither David Lynch’s cult sudser nor Dick Van Dyke’s perky TV wife figures into this improvisational comedy revue, but few other subjects are left unmocked by the quick-witted Underground Theatre Conspiracy. Recently transplanted from Chicago, the troupe blitzes through a series of sketches, blackout gags, and running jokes with a winning blend of pointed satire and casual good cheer." (AJ Mell) Seattle Weekly
Seattle Weekly
Seattle Weekly is a freely distributed newspaper in Seattle, Washington, United States. It was founded by Darrell Oldham and David Brewster as The Weekly...
But when they were asked to produce a show for the Seattle Fringe Festival, what came out was the fore runner of what would become the Oui Be Negroes style of show. "Tales From the Crib was a two person show that examined interracial issues and turned out to be one of the hits of the festival. At that point Shaun and Hans felt that the time might be right for a minority company and what better place to kick it off then back home in Chicago.
Birth of Oui Be Negroes 1994-2000
“Basically, the ‘Oui’ part comes from African Americans who went over to France in the ‘20s and ‘30s and did very well for them
-selves, folks like Fats Waller
Fats Waller
Fats Waller , born Thomas Wright Waller, was a jazz pianist, organist, composer, singer, and comedic entertainer...
and Josephine Baker
Josephine Baker
Josephine Baker was an American dancer, singer, and actress who found fame in her adopted homeland of France. She was given such nicknames as the "Bronze Venus", the "Black Pearl", and the "Créole Goddess"....
. It's homage to that,” Landry says, pausing. “And it's just damn funny.” Landry explains that most people giggle when they hear the name, but every now and then, it makes “very nice liberal white folks” just a little nervous." (Patti Hartigan) Boston Globe “For example, “Landry says, “during the O.J.(Simpson) trial we did a game show format called ‘Who do you Blame?’ and the guilty party was always a black man in a stocking cap. African-American audiences are the most responsive. Backstage Magazine
In 1993, Landry actively went seeking actors of color and ran upon them at The Second City
The Second City
The Second City is a improvisational comedy enterprise which originated in Chicago's Old Town neighborhood.The Second City Theatre opened on December 16, 1959 and has since expanded its presence to several other cities, including Toronto and Los Angeles...
Outreach Program. There she assembled the original ensemble Along with Summers as the lone Caucasian
Caucasian race
The term Caucasian race has been used to denote the general physical type of some or all of the populations of Europe, North Africa, the Horn of Africa, Western Asia , Central Asia and South Asia...
member, they mounted Oui Be Negroes’ first show at Cafe Voltaire in Chicago.
"The big thing was: Be who you are," Landry says. "Don't hold back on anything." In part (with OBN) she hoped to provide an alternative to white-majority teams where black actors could avoid roles that might come off as stereotypical: big mamas, pimps, dice-rolling hustlers and the like. (Darel Jevens) Chicago Sun-Times
Chicago Sun-Times
The Chicago Sun-Times is an American daily newspaper published in Chicago, Illinois. It is the flagship paper of the Sun-Times Media Group.-History:The Chicago Sun-Times is the oldest continuously published daily newspaper in the city...
Oui Be Negroes presented original satirical show with names like "Can We Dance with Yo Dance", "One Drop is All It Takes", "Once You Go Black", "All Coons Look Alike to Me" (inspired by the popular Coon Song
Coon song
Coon songs were a genre of music popular in the United States and around the English-speaking world from 1880 to 1920, that presented a racist and stereotyped image of blacks.-Rise and fall from popularity:...
of 1896) "The Artists Formerly Known as Oui Be Negroes" and "Absolute Negritude
Négritude
Négritude is a literary and ideological movement, developed by francophone black intellectuals, writers, and politiciansin France in the 1930s by a group that included the future Senegalese President Léopold Sédar Senghor, Martinican poet Aimé Césaire, and the Guianan Léon Damas.The Négritude...
" in Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
from 1994 through 1999 that explored black culture and history before relocating the troupe to San Francisco.
Intelligent alacrity has always characterized the work of Shaun Landry and Hans Summers, founding members of the comedy troupe Oui Be Negroes. And in their most recent revue, these two plus Merle Dandridge and Marvin Howard probe the corners of our culture for satirical humor often overlooked by...or flat-out forbidden to other comedians.(Mary Shen Barnidge) Chicago Reader
OBN has toured all over the United States from New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
to Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
to Austin
Austin
Austin is the capital of the U.S. state of Texas.Austin may also refer to:-In the United States:*Austin, Arkansas*Austin, Colorado*Austin, Chicago, Illinois*Austin, Indiana*Austin, Minnesota*Austin, Nevada*Austin, Oregon...
to Boston
Boston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
, in addition to performances outside of the U.S. in Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
and the Netherlands
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
Oui Be Negroes in SF 2000-2009
In year 2000, Oui Be Negroes relocated from its birth place in Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
to San Francisco California. There they continued to produced sketch and improvisational show with an edge such as "X", "To Pigmeat Markham
Pigmeat Markham
Dewey "Pigmeat" Markham was an African-American entertainer. Though best known as a comedian, Markham was also a singer, dancer, and actor...
Thanks for Everything, Spike Lee
Spike Lee
Shelton Jackson "Spike" Lee is an American film director, producer, writer, and actor. His production company, 40 Acres & A Mule Filmworks, has produced over 35 films since 1983....
" 'Bury James Brown
James Brown
James Joseph Brown was an American singer, songwriter, musician, and recording artist. He is the originator of Funk and is recognized as a major figure in the 20th century popular music for both his vocals and dancing. He has been referred to as "The Godfather of Soul," "Mr...
as well as being the house ensemble of The San Francisco Improv Alliance
The San Francisco Improv Alliance
- History :Started in 2005 by Shaun Landry, artistic director of Oui Be Negroes, The San Francisco Improv Alliance is a group of actors dedicated to Improvisational Theater...
. "their style and attitude, not to mention their threadbare theater, is reminiscent of the legendary San Francisco sketch and improv group from the '60s and '70s, The Committee
The Committee (improv group)
The Committee is a San Francisco based improvisational comedy group founded by Alan Myerson and Jessica Myerson . The Myersons were both alums of The Second City in Chicago. The Committee opened April 10, 1963 at 622 Broadway in a 300 seat Cabaret theater that used to be an indoor bocce ball court...
." (Pat Craig) Contra Costa Times
Contra Costa Times
The Contra Costa Times is a daily newspaper based in Walnut Creek, California, U.S.. The paper serves Contra Costa and eastern Alameda counties, in the eastern part of the San Francisco Bay Area...
Oui Be Negroes, Los Angeles 2009-
In 2009, Landry & Summers made the latest big jump to Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
where they continue to produce Oui Be Negroes show as well as duo performances as Landry & Summers at Improv Olympic West, The Second City
The Second City
The Second City is a improvisational comedy enterprise which originated in Chicago's Old Town neighborhood.The Second City Theatre opened on December 16, 1959 and has since expanded its presence to several other cities, including Toronto and Los Angeles...
LA as well as the Avery Schreiber
Avery Schreiber
Avery Lawrence Schreiber was an American comedian and actor. He was a veteran of stage, TV, and film.-Biography:...
Theatre in North Hollywood. Their first extended duo show in Los Angeles entitled 'Yes, We Are F**king' played at The Second City
The Second City
The Second City is a improvisational comedy enterprise which originated in Chicago's Old Town neighborhood.The Second City Theatre opened on December 16, 1959 and has since expanded its presence to several other cities, including Toronto and Los Angeles...
LA during the 2009 holiday season. "Their chemistry is just as obvious off-stage as well. In an interview following their opening-night performance, the bubbly Landry – who is frequently mistaken for her friend, “Pine Sol Lady” Diane Amos – and the reserved, serious Summers – who, with his shock of grey hair, looks more like a college professor than an actor and comedian – often finished each other’s thoughts and sentences." Leon Acord - WEHO News
Oui Be Negroes celebrated their 15 Anniversary by returning home to Chicago to perform as part of the 12th Annual Chicago Improv Festival.
Landry & Summers continue to perform their biting style of social and political humor in 2010 with Interraciallicious at MI's Westside Comedy Theater in Santa Monica
Santa Mônica
Santa Mônica is a town and municipality in the state of Paraná in the Southern Region of Brazil.-References:...
, CA and as featured act for DuoFest 2010 in Philadelphia, PA We loved it! The chemistry between the two is wonderful. I was sad to have to say goodnight - we would have loved to have spent hours getting to know these talented actors. – Goldstar Events
Goldstar Events
Goldstar Events is a privately-held company in Pasadena, California that sells half-price tickets to leisure activities such as live entertainment, theatre, concerts, dance, film screenings, sporting events, and spa services...
audience comments about Interraciallicious