"No Shame Theater" has a long and interesting history.  It all began back in 1986, here in Iowa City.  Todd Ristau formed a group of performers and they made their debut in the back of a pickup truck, parked in the Theater Building parking lot, with a motorcycle headlight for a spotlight.  The original "No Shame" had many purposes.  It intended to provide performers with the opportunity to get acting experience without the time investment that goes into a play.  Through this experience actors also got exposure to an audience that would help them develop their writing and acting skills.
 "No Shame's" performances are almost completely unstructured with very few rules.  The only actual documented rules they have are a five-minute time limit, originality, and no damage to the facilities.  Over the years "No Shame" has seen a wide variety of acts from comedy to poetry to miming to dance.  Virtually anything goes, people have even been known to walk on stage naked and other outrageous acts such as vomiting.  Veterans of "No Shame" have often attested to its strong influences in their development as an actor or play-write.  One "No Shame" alumnus has gone on to appear on the popular Nickelodeon sitcom "Pete and Pete."  This success of this group is evident, as it has spread to large cities such as New York City, Los Angeles, Miami, Chicago, and Cleveland.  Performances are every Friday night at eleven and are definitely something to look into if you wish to pursue acting or simply want to have a good time.
 
To No Shame Offical Web Site