Just for laughs: The Dixon Historic Theatre offering comedy classes in 2025

Darren Mangler, Fest emcee and artistic producer of The Dixon Historic Theater,  introduces an act at the Dement Town Music Fest. The fest presented by Discover Dixon  was held on Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024.

DIXON – If you have ever wanted to try your hand at stand-up comedy or write and act in a comedy sketch like those seen on “Saturday Night Live,” then The Dixon: Historic Theatre has you covered in 2025.

The theater will offer a new stand-up comedy and sketch-writing class that will run every from 5:30 to 7 p.m. every Wednesday beginning Feb. 5 in the space above the theater known as the “Dixon Lounge.”

Executive Director Darren Mangler said the class will run in a writers' room style, where participants sit together in a group and work together on jokes, sketches and other comedy material.

“Someone might want to do a bit on how they think the McRib is so disgusting it’s only offered once a year,” Mangler said. “Then we all start to brainstorm and discuss what makes it funny and how we can expand that.”

The class costs $50 and is for anyone ages 18 and older. It will run through the end of May, at which point writers will have the option to showcase their material in front of a live audience.

“Dixon Night Live” will feature writers performing their stand-up comedy routines while The Dixon: Historic Theatre’s new theater troupe, the Rock River Theater Co., will perform the comedy sketches. Writers also can act in their sketches and even get a chance to try directing.

There are two dates for “Dixon Night Live” – an adult “anything goes” show at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, May 31, and a family-friendly show at 4:30 p.m. Sunday, June 1. Both shows will take place at The Dixon: Historic Theatre, 114 S. Galena Ave., and cost $20 to attend.

“As you start to get more into stand-up comedy, it’s important to have a completely clean routine,” Mangler said. “However, don’t ever be afraid of what your style of comedy is. Instead, lean into it. If it’s dark humor, great. If all you want to do is rip on politics, there’s an audience for that, too.”

The theater is gearing up for one of its biggest seasons yet, with over $1 million in restoration work and about 70 events planned for the 2025 season, including two touring shows, three original musicals and four children’s performances.

Other highlights include the Dixon Municipal Band’s seasonal concerts, performances from the Eastman School of Dance, movie nights, a USO show for veterans and the return of video game tournaments on the big screen.

Mangler said there also are 15 tribute bands set to take the stage, and plans to draw in larger acts, such as Lone Star, are underway.

Visit The Dixon: Historic Theatre’s website at dixontheatre.com beginning Monday, Jan. 6, to sign up for the comedy class. For more information, call 815-508-6324.

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Brandon Clark

I received my Associate's in Communication (Media) from Sauk Valley Community College in Dixon, IL. I'm currently finishing my Bachelor of Journalism at Northern Illinois University in DeKalb, IL. I enjoy engaging the community in thoughtful discussion on current events and look forward to hearing what you have to say. Stay curious. Stay informed.