The Starter Kit

In late 2006, Justin Davis, Eric Garcia, and Brad Temple met while taking improv classes at The Hideout Theatre. Wanting to continue on performing with each other, the three of them decided to form a troupe. The three then asked Aden Kirschner, Zach Palmer, and Ann Wilson to join this troupe after meeting and playing with them in the Tuesday Night Jam. After a few rehearsals, the nameless troupe signed up to play the Cage Match at ColdTowne Theater. Before the first show, Davis received a phone call by someone (possibly Andy Crouch or Michael Jastroch) looking for a name to call this team. Without thinking, he instantly said the words The Starter Kit. The troupe went on to win that Cage Match tournament. Troupe members discussed coming up with a different name, but after performing several shows and being introduced by this name, the troupe decided that the name had stuck.

Known for their playful and adventurous style, The Starter Kit quickly went on to perform regular shows at The Hideout and ColdTowne Theater, often being the opening act for Parallelogramophonograph's weekly Thursday night slot at ColdTowne. For the first three anniversary shows, The Starter Kit handed out water guns to the audience and performed montage scenes while audience members soaked them with water.

Kirschner, Garcia, and Wilson eventually left the troupe to pursue other interests. Erik Adams was brought on in 2008 as a full-time member. This new, four-member troupe went on to create shows with more structured formats (a murder mystery show and a flashback sitcom-based show) that emphasized character interactions and unexpected choices, while continuing the sense of fun play they had become known for.

The Starter Kit split up in 2011 due to creative differences and because multiple members moved away from Austin.