Today we’d like to introduce you to Tauri Laws-Phillips.
Hi Tauri, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today.
After having 2 kids and taking a break from corporate America, I returned to my artistic love Improv Comedy. I found ColdTowne was nearby. I signed up for a class and popped in for a show. I was excited to see a show filled with women and brown faces. Comedy has sometimes looked different from me, so I was delighted. Within a few weeks, I made friends and started performing again. That first troupe Damn Gina, went on to perform all over the country, including New York, LA, Baltimore, and Dallas. Eventually, I began teaching improv at ColdTowne and using my corporate background in marketing to sell and teach corporate workshops. Around 2017, we developed diversity and bias training based on improv principles. We traveled and did workshops for companies in Texas and New York. Then two things happened during the pandemic. 1. The opportunity to become a co-owner arose. 2. With the rise of Black Lives Matter, I began to teach versions of that original workshop virtually. Co-Owner Rachel Madorsky and I began facilitating training all over the world. To date, ColdTowne has taught over 100 workshops. During the pandemic, we lost our space on Airport Blvd. We went digital, teaching classes via Zoom and doing shows on Twitch. We pivoted and changed the business to keep it alive! We knew that building or not, we committed to our community.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been fairly smooth?
Am I crazy!? Finding a space and reopening post-pandemic, I spent savings during the pandemic to buy ownership of my hobby, keeping a community together with no physical space.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next, you can tell us more about your business.
ColdTowne Theater is Austin’s main stage for alternative comedy, featuring the funniest comedians in Central Texas. Until 2020, the theater offered shows 7 days a week featuring all forms of comedy: improv, stand-up, sketch, film, music, and more. Nationally recognized acts perform here, as well as the best local performers. ColdTowne Theater also runs a conservatory offering Austin the most fun acting, improv, and sketch classes.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.coldtownetheater.com
- Instagram: @tauristar
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/taurilawsphillips/
