Tracker Pixel for Entry

​The LineBenders: 15th Anniversary Show

Humor | November 2nd, 2016

I’m going to admit something. I’m a transplant in Fargo, North Dakota, originally from Iowa. I didn’t really know what to expect when I moved here.

Something that continues to surprise me about this city that most people only know from Coen Brothers movies is how much of a burgeoning comedy scene we have here. And perhaps the oldest members of that comedic community are the improvisational comedy troupe LineBenders.

At the very least they are the longest-running professional comedy troupe in North Dakota, having brought laughs for fifteen years. I had the pleasure of speaking with their artistic director, JJ Gordon about the troupe and their upcoming “pop-up” comedy show at the Moorhead Center Mall.

Linebenders got their start in 2001 under the watch of Marty Jonason of the 3rd Street Acting Studio, with a simple newspaper ad. They have only ever held auditions once, but are very open to new members.

Gordon suggests that it’s best to come out to one of the rehearsal nights. Gordon himself got his start in 2003 after performing in the Donkey Hotey’s at Fargo South, the longest-running high school comedy troupe in North Dakota. Word of mouth seems to have worked out rather well for the group, who at their largest had a roster of almost 40 members.

Gordon modestly states that the LineBenders are “pretty lucky,” which is rather the understatement. The group has become a nationwide success and performed in settings as diverse as Long Island and on an aircraft carrier in Texas.

A lot of the hubbub about the group has been generated by their regular performances at various corporate events. “There isn’t a banquet hall or conference room in North Dakota we haven’t seen,” says Gordon. This has allowed the group to build a brand for themselves.

The ever-growing world of social media has allowed the group to achieve even more recognition. A simple search on YouTube for “Doritos noodling” will return several uploads of a humorous commercial that the comedy troupe recorded as part of a video campaign for Doritos chips, that have tens of thousands of views between them.

Go ahead, you know you want to look it up.

The upcoming show at the Moorhead Center Mall celebrates the group’s 15th anniversary. Gordon says that the event should be drawing together former members from all over the country, many of whom have gone on to be in other comedy troupes or started their own comedy careers. They should be able to jump back right into the swing of things, as Gordon says that improv comedy is “like riding a bike” and that all they might have to do is “shake off a little rust.” The whole process is very organic.

If you are wondering who you can bring to this show, Gordon says that the troupe can perform for “literally any audience” but that he would give a typical show a PG-13 rating. As is the case with improvisational comedy, about 50% of it is the troupe and 50% is audience interaction, which allows talented improv comedians to tailor their shows on a whim to fit the audience they are performing for. Gordon is hoping that since the event is going to occur so shortly before the 2016 presidential election, that there will be “a fun political edge” to the proceedings, but that remains to be seen.

If you’re interested in showing up, Gordon suggests ordering your tickets on their website at linebenders.com, as there is only seating for approximately 150 people in the abandoned store space that the show will take place in, and he would hate to turn anyone away. So whether you’re an old fan of the group or just someone looking for a laugh, it wouldn’t hurt to plan in advance.

But perhaps, like improvisational comedy itself, you are rather spontaneous and want to take your chances.

IF YOU GO

The LineBenders: 15th Anniversary Show Friday & Saturday

November 4 & 5, 8pm 

Moorhead Center Mall, 510 Center Ave, Moorhead 

www.linebenders.com

RECENTLY IN

Humor

Tracker Pixel for Entry hjemkomst Tracker Pixel for Entry Seven Tracker Pixel for Entry NewSalem2 Tracker Pixel for Entry FPL Tracker Pixel for Entry Bahai Tracker Pixel for Entry Bismarck1

Recently in:

By Alicia Underlee Nelsonalicia@hpr1.comNorth Dakota communities will join a “nationwide day of defiance” against authoritarianism and President Donald Trump’s policies on Saturday, June 14. A range of "No Kings" events…

Back-to-school season is on the horizon, but there's still plenty of summer left. Check out our favorite August attractions and events in North Dakota and western Minnesota. And if if you missed them, here are a few excellent May…

June 21, 11 a.m. - 11 p.m.Fargo Theatre, 314 Broadway N., Fargo“We Watch Shudder,” Fargo’s favorite horror podcasters, bring on the darkness during the longest day of the year. The Darkest Day of Horror Film Festival features…

Fighting the good fightBy Sabrina Hornungsabrina@hpr1.com Over two thousand rallies took place nationwide June 14 as part of the “No Kings" protest. Ten of those protests were held in North Dakota, with thousands in attendance.…

By Ed Raymondfargogadfly@gmail.comA syndrome is defined as a group of signs and symptoms that collectively indicate or characterize a disease, psychological disorder, or other abnormal condition and any complex of symptoms of an…

By Rick Gionrickgion@gmail.com Holiday wine shopping shouldn’t have to be complicated. But unfortunately it can cause unneeded anxiety due to an overabundance of choices. Don’t fret my friends, we once again have you covered…

By Rick Gionrickgion@gmail.com The weather warmed up quickly here in the upper Midwest this spring, sparking prime eating season. This means burger battles, food trucks and lake-season food travel. The 2025 Downtown Fargo Burger…

By Alicia Underlee Nelsonalicia@hpr1.comThe Moorhead Public Library will offer three free, all-ages outdoor concerts featuring regional bands this summer. The series begins on June 12 with the Meat Rabbits, a group that blends…

By Greg Carlsongregcarlson1@gmail.com As we continue to deal with the ongoing horrorshow of racism, misogyny and transphobia embraced by the current administration, films like “Sally” can serve as an important reminder that…

By Deb Wallworkdwallwork@icloud.comI first met Catherine Mulligan at a party at her house. It was a small gathering, spontaneous, just a few people over for dinner. Directed toward a stack of plates and bowls and a big pot warming…

North Dakota play about mental health launches Midwest tour in AugustBy Alicia Underlee Nelsonalicia@hpr1.com A new one-act play inspired by patients buried in the Old Cemetery at the Jamestown State Hospital will tour festivals in…

By Annie Prafckeannieprafcke@gmail.com AUSTIN, Texas – As a Chinese-American, connecting to my culture through food is essential, and no dish brings me back to my mother’s kitchen quite like hotdish. Yes, you heard me right –…

By Sabrina Hornungsabrina@hpr1.comNew Jamestown Brewery Serves up Local FlavorThere’s something delicious brewing out here on the prairie and it just so happens to be the newest brewery west of the Red River and east of the…

The drug that keeps re-purposing itselfBy Ellie Liveranieli.liverani.ra@gmail.com There is a drug that is getting a lot of attention nowadays all over the world. It has various commercial names (Ozempic, Wegovy and Rybelsus), but…

By Alicia Underlee NelsonProtests against President Trump’s policies and the cuts made by Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) are planned across North Dakota and western Minnesota Friday, April 4 and…

By Vern Thompsonvern.thompson@rocketmail.com Working in the Bakken oil fields of the Williston Basin is so different from my home in Fargo. I'm not judging, because the people working and living in western North Dakota are very…