The Glamping Trip

was formed in 2009 to play "grounded improv."

The improv part means that what we do is created completely in the moment, without any previous planning of characters, situation, or story. Every show we play is unique, has never seen before, and will never be seen again.

The grounded part means that we try to be funny by playing recognizably real human beings, and we don't bail on them if they turn out to be a little sad or awkward. (Don't worry, they're still funny.) More like Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? than Whose Line Is It Anyway?, but generally with less drinking and hollering.

Because we're only going to meet them once, we try to show our characters a good time. We hope to do the same for you.

David Hess

got a master's degree in organizational communication in 1996 and immediately set out to damage his brain with late nights and rock and roll music. After ten years of singing and guitaring on Austin stages, Hess cleaned up his act, whittled his musical commitments to just four bands, and started studying improv at ColdTowne Conservatory, graduating in 2009. In addition to The Glamping Trip, Hess performs in Escape Hatch with his Conservatory chums, as well as in Elevator Action and Donuts. For the record: improvised comedy is much harder than music, pays less, and isn't cool.

John Ratliff

has worked as a freelance writer, musician, record store clerk, copy editor, stained-glass glazier (El Paso, TX), radio DJ (Ruidoso, NM), English teacher (the Czech Republic), and drafter of congratulatory and honorary resolutions (the Texas Legislature). In addition to The Glamping Trip, he plays with Ratliff & Jackson and You're Not My Real Dad, and he appeared in the Hideout Theatre's Austin Secrets. He teaches at the Hideout and at ColdTowne, where he's a member of the faculty.