History

On January 16, 2004, five friends decided that playing improv games in a classroom at Southern Utah University wasn’t enough for them. They wanted to perform. TJ Penrod, Wendy Penrod, Dave Armour, Mary Armour, and Richy T. Steadman formed Off the Cuff that night, and began playing at the Grind Coffeehouse without any thought of being successful or making money. They chose some games, found some other players, charged a dollar at the door, and went onstage to a wonderful surprise. There were one hundred and one people in attendance that night. From that moment, the five of them knew that Off the Cuff was something truly special.

Since that day, over forty-five different improvisers have performed with Off the Cuff through the years. Through changing times and venue and audiences coming and going, the OTC Training Center is still packed every Friday night. There has even been the formation of a small group of followers known affectionately as “Cufflinks.” With the promise of family-friendly comedy and the most entertaining show in Southern Utah, it’s a win-win situation.

The show is made up of two hours of performance-style short form improvisation. “Short form” consists of scene-based “games” that take a normal scene and add specific twists and objectives for the actors to execute and fulfill. The cast is made up of seven full-time cast members and one alternate. The alternate improviser rotates each week, adding a new dimension and allowing for a unique experience. TJ Penrod, Wendy Penrod, Wade Arave, Ryan “Rev” McLean, Nate MacLee, Chase Johnson,  and Frank Gasparro reside as the full-time cast.

“Cedar City isn’t always the most exciting place to live, but with Off the Cuff, there’s something for everyone and it brings the community together each week with clean, relevant humor,” says Wade Arave.