The Professor

The Professor
Years Active	2011-Present
Directed by	Justin Davis (2010-2012) Michael Ferstenfeld (2013-Present)
Cast	Various

The Professor (full name: "The Professor: Improv Inspired by Doctor Who") is a narrative improv troupe that presents improv in the style of the British science-fiction franchise Doctor Who.

History

Prior to the founding of the troupe, the idea of "Improvised Doctor Who" had long been floating around in the improv community, including a show proposal in 2010 from Jordan T. Maxwell for The Well Hung Jury Memorial Scholarship.[1] In June 2011, Justin Davis posted a facebook thread inviting all interested parties to join him for an improv take on Doctor Who. The Professor then premiered at The Hideout Theatre on Thursday, June 23, 2011 as part of The Threefer, and played an 8pm show at the Hideout two days later.

Its first full run was a six-week set of Friday shows at The Institution Theater from October 14, 2011 to November 18, 2011. Its second run was at Salvage Vanguard Theater (produced by Gnap!), on Fridays and Saturdays from March 23, 2012 to April 21, 2012. In between runs, the troupe played one-off shows, including The TV Set in July 2012[2]

At the end of 2012, Justin Davis stepped down as director. At the start of 2013, Michael Ferstenfeld took over as director, and the troupe resumed performing one-off shows like The TV Set[3]. Ferstenfeld tried to bring more scene-painting into the show, and draw more influence from "classic" Doctor Who, from the years preceding Russell T Davies and Steven Moffat.

Casts

"Season Zero"

The first two test shows featured Jordan T. Maxwell as the First Professor.

Season One

The first run of shows featured Michael Ferstenfeld and Andrew Pish as the Second and Third Professors.

• Clay Towery
• Colin Bates
• Emily Breedlove
• Karen Jane DeWitt
• Katie Thornton
• Kayla Lane Freeman
• Lindsey Reeves
• Quinn Buckner

Season Two

The second run of shows introduced Peter Rogers and Karen Jane DeWitt as the Fourth and Fifth Professors, with Michael Ferstenfeld also reprising his take on the role.

• Clay Towery
• Colin Bates
• Emily Breedlove
• Katie Thornton
• Kayla Lane Freeman
• Lacy Shawn
• Lindsey Reeves
• Quinn Buckner
• Ryan Austin

Media

• 11/4/11 performance:
  • Photoset by Roy Moore.
• 10/21/11 performance:
  • Photoset by Roy Moore.
• 11/4/11 performance:
  • Photoset by Roy Moore.
• 11/11/11 performance:
  • Photoset by Roy Moore.
• 11/18/11 performance:
  • Photoset by Roy Moore.
• 3/30/12 performance:
  • Photoset by Roy Moore.

More Information

• 2010 forum thread about improvising Doctor Who in Austin.
• Jordan T. Maxwell's show proposal for "Professor Why".
• Forum announcement of the premiere.
• Forum announcement of the second show.
• Cast announcement for season one.
• Cast announcement for season two.
• Show announcement for season two.
• A 2012 Tor.com blog story about season two.