Jessilee Windhaus, second from right, poses with members of Haus of Comedy outside the Eagle Theatre ahead of the regional improv collaboration “Ménage à Prov.” Photo courtesy of Jessilee Windhaus

GRASS VALLEY, CA (MPG) - What happens when three women from three different improv troupes decide to bring their teams together? Ménage à Prov, of course.

The one-night-only comedy event will bring together three female-led improv troupes from across Northern California on June 20 at the Un-Church in Grass Valley. Organizers describe the show as a first-of-its-kind regional collaboration featuring Grass Valley’s Laughter Shock, led by Kimberly Ewing; Yuba-Sutter Improv, founded by Shamaya Sutton; and Sacramento’s Sharks Barksley, led by Jessilee Windhaus.

Together, the three women represent growing improv comedy communities across the region and a shared desire to build connection through laughter, collaboration and live performance.

“Discovering that there were other women out there like me, passionate about this art form and leading the charge in their community, honestly just felt empowering,” said Sutton. “They are both my peers and role models, and seeing their successes encourages me to keep trailblazing and creating.”

Shamaya Sutton, center, poses with members of Yuba-Sutter Improv, one of three female-led regional improv troupes set to perform in “Ménage à Prov” on June 20 in Grass Valley. Photo by Shamaya Sutton

Sutton, a local journalist and improv instructor, first connected with Ewing during a comedy event at the Nevada Theatre in Nevada City. Soon after, the two attended a narrative improv workshop hosted by Windhaus, helping spark the idea for a larger collaboration between the groups.

“Jessilee and Shamaya were so welcoming and fun while exploring NorCal improv, it felt totally natural to come together and make a show,” said Ewing.

Ewing’s Laughter Shock is the youngest of the three troupes and is celebrating its first year as a performance team. Ewing said the group was created with the goal of bringing people together across age groups and building community through comedy.

Windhaus, who recently established a home base at the historic Eagle Theatre in Old Sacramento, echoed those sentiments, stressing the importance of keeping lines of communication and collaboration open across the art form throughout the greater Sacramento region.

“I think that women have historically been underrepresented in our art form as well, so I’m really looking forward to collaborating with two incredible local female leaders in improv,” added Windhaus.

For the June 20 show, Sutton, Ewing and Windhaus will each bring six members of their teams, including themselves, to the Un-Church for a unique three-way comedy competition featuring a variety of short-form improv games.

Kimberly “Kimmy” Ewing, center, poses with members of Laughter Shock, the Grass Valley-based improv troupe hosting the one-night-only “Ménage à Prov” comedy event. Photo courtesy of Kimberly Ewing

Laughter Shock members John Paul and Brian Coe have taken on producing duties for the event, allowing the three troupe leaders to focus on the performance and enjoy the collaboration they helped inspire.

“I can’t wait to see what sort of magic happens when three improv troupes come together on one stage for the first time,” said Coe. “Improv is always full of surprises, but this show will be especially unpredictable. In a time when we could all use a bit more laughter in our lives, I’m honored to be part of an event that can provide some levity to both the audience and everyone on stage.”

Paul said Laughter Shock has built a strong following in the Nevada City and Grass Valley area and anticipates a strong turnout for this performance.

“We are thrilled to share that joy and laughter with the Yuba-Sutter Improv and Sharks Barksley troupes,” said Paul. “We invite everyone to come on up and join us in Grass Valley for a fun evening of improv competition.”

Ménage à Prov will be performed one night only at 7 p.m. Saturday, June 20, at the Un-Church, 220 Bresee Place in Grass Valley. Tickets are $22 and can be purchased in advance at crowdwork.com/e/laughtershockmenage or at the door if space is available.