"No Shame Theatre is not a part of the theatre arts department, but has always had the department's enthusiastic support. It provides a unique opportunity for performance and audience participation that could never survive in a formal structure.  The people who have made No Shame such a success have provided us with evenings of fun, provocative ideas and not a few groans. But they have always provided a solid reason to come to the theater at 11 o'clock at night."

David Thayer, Acting Chair
Theatre Department
University of Iowa
October, 1997


January 14, 2004

An Open Letter to Possible No Shame Leaders,

We at the University of Iowa have had the pleasure of hosting No Shame Theatre since it was born here in the back of a pick up truck. For almost two decades undergraduates, graduate students, and people from town have had the opportunity to write, perform, experiment, get instant feedback and create a community that borders on both brilliance and foolery. Its presence in our theatre - long ago we brought it in from the cold - is one of our department's greatest strengths.

No Shame brings people to the theatre who have never even thought about attending a play. They line up every Friday night and fill our lobby with energy and high expectations. Some of them just watch, but a lot of them surprise themselves and end up performing. What theatre department could ask for more? In fact we get more - some of these audience members discover they like live performance and return to see the plays we produce and take our classes.

No Shame Theatre gives everyone an equal chance to succeed or fall on