About The New Movement

The New Movement opened in Austin, TX in February 2009 as a full time comedy conservatory. Founders Chris Trew and Tami Nelson met in 2004 while taking improv classes in New Orleans and had long dreamed of running their own theater and conservatory. TNM brought something new to the Austin Improv scene – a specific approach to the craft that couldn’t be found in a book or anywhere else in the country. The difference paid off as TNM attracted both eager rookies and veteran performers.

“Chris and Tami live and breathe the art form and have built their own language of improv, a style characteristic of The New Movement” – The Austin-American Statesman

By January 2010 there was enough talent to bring audiences to 1819 Rosewood for the first time. The Megaphone Show was the first official weekly performance and was soon joined by Block Party as weekly events. Comedy hungry Austinites packed the small Eastside theater early and often. Troupes like Bare Moxie and Ghost Prom held down the fort in Austin while TNM founders Chris and Tami hit the road on several national tours, teaching and performing in over 20 cities across the United States.

“Johnny Appleseeds of Funny” – The Onion A.V. Club

While performing in their hometown New Orleans, Chris and Tami met Stupid Time Machine, a sketch and improv troupe looking to bring a TNM-style community to New Orleans. Soon the plans for TNM Nola were hatched with the talented performers in STM helming the ship. Meanwhile, TNM Austin spread its wings and started appearing all over Austin, including SXSW, Austin Film Festival, FunFunFun Fest, The Alamo Drafthouse and much more.

“Wildly Talented and Relentlessly Inventive” – The Austin Chronicle

In 2011 TNM added Houston, Texas to it’s mix of cities, led by Shyla Ray Hungerford. Improv Wins, an ambitious blog project, was launched as well. TNM continues to pursue film projects through its production company Studio8, who appeared several times on Comedy Central in 2010. Improv Wins and Studio8 are all fueled by the TNM creative community.

“A Tireless Team of Hardworking Comedians” – Now Austin

With shows and classes running in in three cities while maintaining a national presence with online material, frequent tours and festival appearances, The New Movement has joined an elite group of comedy collectives who maintain a strong presence in multiple cities and online.

“Let the Comedy Juggernaut Proceed” – The Austin Chronicle

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