The Awkward Show by Bandit Theater

Chris and the cast talk mother figures and divorce. The setthat follows features a scrupulous ex-girlfriend, an unusual vision of family life, a misguided Maid of Honor, unavailable dads, an intimate firing, acquaintances in couples therapy, and a new kind of Santa. The cast features Coonoor Behal, Mike Kroner, MP Piper, and Jess Lechtenberg. Chris Carter directs.

A debate about Daylight Saving time leads to a broader conversation about how we have been raising and/or failing our children. The set that follows features a husband vowing to try less, mothers who want the best for their children, adults failed by the education system but elevated to critical positions, and a team workshopping a new economics-themed musical. The cast features Geena Pietromonaco, Winnie Yeung, Jess Lechtenberg, Jess Lampe, Sarah Kylie, and Kristine Antonsen. Chris Carter directs.

For our last show of 2025, we brought in SL Rao (Jet City), who shares a story about conflict avoidance and then plays in with the cast. The set that follows includes a CEO with a problematic advice giver, a man who does super deep background research before a first date, detectives trying to unpack ambiguous murder clues, and a team trying to put the "ultimate" back in ultimate frisbee. The cast features Mike Kroner, Jess Lechtenberg, Geena Pietromonaco, Jess Lampe, Winnie Yeung, and Kristine Antonsen (Coonoor Behal also took part in the conversation but not the set). Chris Carter directs.

Chris loses control of the group for a while, and a heated conversation about A.I. leads to some hard facts about a body's afterlife. The set that follows features a grabby funeral, the worst friend to not get feedback from, arrogance presenting as largesse, a heavenly convocation of geniuses, and a billionaire looking to donate their corpse. The cast includes Mike Kroner, Geena Pietromonaco, Winnie Yeung, Coonoor Behal, Sarah Kylie, Jess Lampe, and Kristine Antonsen. Chris Carter (barely) directs.

A conversation about attachments and career choices leads to a set that includes a divorce lawyer indulging a client's aesthetic, a heart-to-cart romance, an insult restaurant assessing the upper limits of offense, and an emotional twist on a body-horror concept. The cast includes Geena Pietromonaco, Winnie Yeung, Sarah Kiley, and Jess Lechtenberg. Chris Carter directs.

Jess Lampe is only willing to do so much when his girlfriend leaves a scathing comment on a post by an influencer chef, and the cast discusses following recipes and the effects of accents on personalities and perceptions. The set that follows includes an effort to get IRL with an influencer, a date with an English language learner, a professional path through internet comments, a parent who runs from conflict, an effort to make a meeting more casual and fun, and a surgeon whose cultural tastes affect her career.The cast includes Sarah Kiley, Jess Lechtenberg, Mike Kroner, Kristine Antonsen, Winnie Yeung, and Jess Lampe. Chris Carter directs.

A trip to the archives finds a pandemic-era Will Hines sharing stories of awkwardness with Bandit founder Annie Barry. The set that follows includes a hunt for wedding supplies, prank improvements, a justifiably suspicious spouse, an underprepared camper, a very helpful server, a sartorially dependent love, and a cleaned-out Rite Aid. The cast includes Austin Olson, Chrysta Storm, Grant Michael Scott, Jake Foerg, & Lee Yang. Annie Barry directs. Will Hines has been teaching long-form improv since 2004 at the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre, at both its New York and Los Angeles branches. He’s published a best-selling book on improv called How to Be The Greatest Improviser on Earth. He’s also a working comedic actor and has appeared on many terrific television programs (The Sex Lives of College Girls, Brooklyn 99, Search Party). He also hosts the podcasts Screw It We’re Just Gonna Talk about the Beatles and Screw it We’re Just Gonna Talk About Comics

It’s a party atmosphere as the cast celebrates Coonoor. JessLechtenberg shares the story of her worst birthday ever, and the set that follows features diseases rebranded, an uncaring flight attendant, a Casanova of the forest, an edgy kids-TV writers’ room, and the transcontinental adventure C.S. Lewis never dreamed of. The cast includes Jess Lampe, Coonoor Behal, Jess Lechtenberg, Kristine Antonsen, Sarah Kylie, Mike Kroner, Geena Pietromonaco, and Winnie Yeung.

The cast shares awkward Halloween moments, from college to the workplace. Then our set includes someone with a profound relationship to video game characters, a glimpse into the hallowed traditions of the Royal Family at Christmastime, some surprising musical influences, and a meeting of corvids. The cast includes Winnie Yeung, Jess Lechtenberg, Geena Pietromonaco, Coonoor Behal, Jess Lampe, Mike Kroner, and MP Piper. Chris Carter directs.

Chris talks with the cast about mentors and what sacrifice it takes to make great art. Then the cast performs a set that includes a mistreated protege, a transformational confessional, some non-billionaires wondering about the path not taken, and scientists studying time travel. The cast includes Winnie Yeung, Jess Lechtenberg, Geena Pietromonaco, Coonoor Behal, Jess Lampe, Mike Kroner, and MP Piper. Chris Carter directs.

Jessi Smith (Mad Science) once again joins the cast, this time in a conversation about HoCo, as the kids call it, unearthing memories from years and decades past. Then she joins us in a set that includes an excessive HoCo gesture, competitive sandwich artistry, an insecure seaman, some creative bullies, and the unexpected consequences of a HoCo gesture. The cast includes Jess Lampe, Jess Lechtenberg, Geena Pietromonaco, MP Piper, Winnie Yeung, and Sarah Kiley. Chris Carter directs.

Jessi Smith (Mad Science) shares a story of rustic travel in southeast Asia and then joins the cast on a set that includes a family that values wildness, people whose empathy goes beyond, a fashion emergency, and a challenging route to the bathroom. The cast includes Jess Lampe, Jess Lechtenberg, Geena Pietromonaco, MP Piper, Winnie Yeung, and Sarah Kiley. Chris Carter directs.

This week, M.J. Kang (Star Wars: Skeleton Crew) tells a story from her nights as a young woman in Toronto. Then, Holly Vander Hyde (Almost Yours, Seattle) plays in with the cast on a set that features a quest for managerial respect, a guy indulging the pizza rats, a haunted apartment, an unusual father-of-the-bride speech, and a visit to a bakery. The cast features Winnie Yeung, Geena Pietromonaco, MP Piper, Sarah Kiley, Jess Lampe, Kristine Antonsen, Jess Lechtenberg, and Mike Kroner. Chris Carter directs.

This week, Holly Vander Hyde (Almost Yours) shares the story of an indecent proposal from her conservatory days. Then M.J. Kang (Skeleton Crew) plays in with the cast on a set that includes “the ultimate acting challenge,” a book store tryst, a check-in aboard the space station, an urgent new mother, and some confusion in a relationship intervention. The cast features Mike Kroner, Jess Lechtenberg, Kristine Antonsen, Jess Lampe, Sarah Kiley, MP Piper, Geena Pietromonaco, and Winnie Yeung. Chris Carter directs.

Ilana Degann (First Date, in Seattle) tells us about a very awkward first date, and then Sabahat Chaudhary (Press Play, in D.C.) plays in with the cast on a set that features a new kind of speed dating, an unusual venue for a team-building event, an ex who is disappointed with his ranking, star-crossed singers, and an overenthusiastic taxidermist. The cast includes Mike Kroner, Geena Pietromonaco, Winnie Yeung, Jess Lampe, and Jess Lechtenberg. Chris Carter directs.

Sabahat Chaudhary (Press Play, in D.C.) shares a wild story from middle school civics, and Ilana Degann (First Date, in Seattle) plays in with the cast on a set that explores what’s in a name, feels some nostalgia for an old movie, and yields an unexpected inauguration. The cast includes Mike Kroner, Geena Pietromonaco, Winnie Yeung, Jess Lampe, and Jess Lechtenberg. Chris Carter directs.

This week, Melissa Zargon (Almost Yours, Seattle) tells a story of getting a little too high before starting a dance class. Then Zoser Dunbar (First Date, Tacoma) plays in with the cast on a set that includes a serious date, a clash of cultures at an H&R Block, a nervous outing at the cinema, and parents who prioritize their marriage over their child. The cast features Jess Lechtenberg, Jess Lampe, Mike Kroner, Geena Pietromonaco, MP Piper, Kristine Antonsen, Winnie Yeung, and Coonoor Behal. Chris Carter directs.

This week Zoser Dunbar (First Date Tacoma) shares the story of an awkward first date in high school. Then the cast, joined by Melissa Zargon (Almost Yours Seattle) performs a set that includes a special Mother’s Day brunch, some creative solutions at the arcade, a lively course in literature, the truest of true-crime podcasts, and a chilling visit to Grandma’s house. The cast features Jess Lechtenberg, Mike Kroner, Geena Pietromonaco, Jess Lampe, MP Piper, Winnie Yeung, Coonoor Behal, and Kristine Antonsen. Chris Carter directs.

This week the host of The Awkward Show, Chris Carter, shares a story of awkwardness and heartbreak from his early 20s, and guest Phillipos Haile plays in with the cast on a set that features a couple that likes to keep it simple, a company that takes an interest in its employees romantic lives, an OBGYN who's sensitive to wind, and a CPA whose clients really love her ads. The cast includes Sarah Kiley, Kristine Antonsen, Winnie Yeung, and Jess Lampe. Chris Carter directs.

Phillipos Haile (Conscious Trap) tells us a wild story about a fateful trip (and trip within a trip) to Sedona, and then the Awkward Show cast performs a set that features a respectably authentic bank robbery, a car crash that reveals a fashion emergency, a first date that pulls out all the stops, a new age retreat that takes self growth to the next level, and a funeral director in search of a vibe. The cast features Jess Lechtenberg, Jess Lampe, Kristine Antonsen, Annie Barry, Winnie Yeung, and Sarah Kiley. Chris Carter directs.

Jonny Riecke (Swipe Right) dishes from his former life on the road in a Texas punk band. Then Annie Henderson (Inkprov) plays in on the set that follows, which features a well-matched couple with very specific geographic opinions, an irascible group of musicians, a birthday boy whose bros may be too old for a hard-core celebration, a Speed Dating 101 class, and a slow-motion-maybe-bank-robbery. The cast includes Winnie Yeung, Kristine Antonsen, Mike Kroner, MP Piper, and Jess Lampe. Chris Carter directs.

Annie Henderson (Inkprov) tells us how she learned that sometimes there’s a time or a place to not eat street food.Jonny Riecke(Swipe Right) plays in on the set that follows, which features a doctor who interprets symptoms through a vice lens, a gross airplane passenger, a lawyer with a taste for adventure, and some adult children rebelling against the creative names their mother gave them. The cast includes Jess Lampe, MP Piper, Kristine Antonsen, Mike Kroner, and Winnie Yeung. Chris Carter directs.

Winnie Yeung (recently of The Awkward Show) tells us about running into a coworker on vacation, and then Purnam Jantrania (erstwhile of Mad Science) plays in with the cast on a set that explores anambiguous engagement, a transformative vacation, and an unmissed connection.The cast includes Kristine Antonsen, Mike Kroner, Geena Pietromonaco, Sarah Kiley, and Jess Lampe. Chris Carter directs.

Purnam Jantrania (erstwhile of Mad Science) tells us about a quirk he's worked to overcome. Then Winnie Yeung (recently of The Awkward Show) plays in with the cast on a set that sees the funeral of a gamer, a demonstrative parent, a tricksy party clown, and a salty wedding. The cast includes Kristine Antonsen, Mike Kroner, Geena Pietromonaco, Sarah Kiley, and Jess Lampe. Chris Carter directs.

Melissa Zargon (Couple's Quiz) tells us a story of mistaken cinema identity, and Jake Regal (UCB's Cardinal Redbird) plays in on a set that includes lunch with grandma, who may or may not have hate in her heart, an awkward Q&A/screening of Caligula, and a musical reboot of Jurassic Park. The cast features Geena Pietromonaco, Kristine Antonsen, Jess Lampe, MP Piper, and Mike Kroner. Chris Carter directs.

Jake Regal (UCB’s Cardinal Redbird) shares details of his first acting job on an independent film. And Melissa Zargon (Couple’s Quiz) plays in with the cast on a set that features a strange new job benefit structure, the promise of Oasis around a blazing campfire, a memorial service for a beloved fixture of retail hot dog service, and a couple enthusiastic for Hollywood’s forthcoming genre mash-ups. The cast features Geena Pietromonaco, Kristine Antonsen, Jess Lampe, MP Piper, and Mike Kroner. Chris Carter directs.

Sam Cooper (Inkprov) tells us about an awkward drive home from a comedy club. Then Josiah Jenkins (The $8 Game Show) plays in on a set featuring an arithmetic proposal, a driver’s ed class with an unusual focus, and a surprising negotiation around the sale of art. The cast features MP Piper, Coonoor Behal, Geena Pietromonaco, and Kristine Antonsen. Chris Carter directs.

Josiah Jenkins (The $8 Game Show) shares an awkward story at the intersection of serious injury and midwestern politeness. Then Sam Cooper plays in on a set that features a mishap with a hotdish, a suitor who wins family approval in a surprising way, a series of sort-of reverse pleas in a juvenile hall, and an unusual post-workout routine. The cast features MP Piper, Coonoor Behal, Geena Pietromonaco, and Kristine Antonsen. Chris Carter directs.

Chris Zimmerman (Getaway Gone Wrong) meets his heroes in a story about the professional snowboarding scene, and Tom Paynter plays in with the cast on a set that includes a gathering of introverts, some off-topic questions at an author meet-and-greet, an absent-minded professional assassin, and some humanizing advice from the First Kid to the President. The cast features Coonoor Behal, Kristine Antonsen, MP Piper, Mike Kroner, and Jess Lampe. Chris Carter directs.

Tom Paynter shares a story of a getaway gone wrong, and Chris Zimmerman (Getaway Gone Wrong) plays in with the cast on a set that features some new methods of dog training, a girls weekend that gets sides-ways, and a hotel with a novel approach to countering the effects of climate change. The cast features Kristine Antonsen, MP Piper, Mike Kroner, and Jess Lampe. Chris Carter directs.

Our guest, screenwriter Greg Tindale, shares his experience of networking in Hollywood as a parent. Mike McLendon (WGIS, Outside Dog) plays in with the cast on a set that features Girl Scouts getting creative in TV development, a first date that digs deep into childhood accomplishments, a surprising personnel change at Jurassic Park, an elementary school career day that doesn’t go as planned, and a dark-alley cookie deal. The cast includes Jess Lampe, Kristine Antonsen, MP Piper, and Mike Kroner. Directed by Chris Carter.

The Awkward Show is back! Mike McLendon (Outside Dog, WGIS) shares a story of his early days in Los Angeles, and Greg Tindale plays in with the cast on a set that features an infantilizing bachelor party, a ripped-from-TV life event, some curious job interview strategies, and the oldest tennis audience you can imagine. The cast includes MP Piper, Jess Lampe, Kristine Antonsen, and Mike Kroner. Directed by Chris Carter.

L.A. storyteller Jen Curcio tells the story of her late, great emotional support sweatsuit, and Eloise O'Loane (Mad Science) plays in with the cast in a set featuring a prescription for meat, a discount therapy session, a shocking soccer coach, a thrift store support group, and two cops looking to make a bust. The cast includes Coonoor Behal, MP Piper, Winnie Yeung, Casey Mills, and Mike Kroner. Chris Carter directs.

Eloise O'Loane (Mad Science) shares the story of a college relationship at its sunset, and storyteller Jen Curcio plays in with the cast. The hilarious set features an inconvenient 10th birthday party, an interplanetary romance on the rocks, a Cinco de Mayo commencement, and a heartbroken job interview. The cast includes Coonoor Behal, MP Piper, Winnie Yeung, Casey Mills, and Mike Kroner. Chris Carter directs.

Riley Dolan from Bandit's First Date tells a harrowing story from his harrier days, and Seattle actor/writer/director Geena Pietromonaco (Impenetrable) plays in with the cast. The set features a session at Bucky's new fitness boot camp, a visit to an artisanal toilet paper stand at the local farmers' market, and a request for an... intimate favor from a stranger. The cast includes Kristine Antonsen, Casey Mills, Mike Kroner, MP Piper, and Winnie Yeung. Chris Carter directs.

Seattle actor/writer/director Geena Pietromonaco (Impenetrable) shares an embarrassing story of Americans in Italy, and Riley Dolan from Bandit's First Date plays in with the cast. The set includes an inegalitarian study abroad program, a surprising visit from the fire department, a man who doesn't want to be known for his mischief, and a fateful day at an Italian restaurant. The cast includes Mike Kroner, MP Piper, Kristine Antonsen, Casey Mills, and Winnie Yeung. Chris Carter directs.

Sonia Dillane from Bandit's First Date shares the story of an early moment of self-care gone awry. Then Ben Lidgus joins the cast for a set that features a new take on Basic Training and a day in the life of a Rom-Com hero. The cast includes Mike Kroner, MP Piper, and Kristine Antonsen. Chris Carter directs.

Seattle comedy stalwart Ben Lidgus shares a story of youthful naivety, and First Date's Sonia Dillane joins the cast to create scenes featuring a changing of the guard at Boeing, someone with surprising relationship expectations, and a truly artisanal hair salon. The cast includes Casey Mills, Mike Kroner, MP Piper, and Kristine Antonsen. Chris Carter directs.

Drew Jacobson (Inkprov) tells the story of twerking in a church, and Jeff D'Angelo (also Inkprov) plays in with the team. The set features amorous teenagers who can’t stand to be apart, a young man working very hard to demonstrate his self-control, parents whose low expectations are suddenly exceeded, and a meet-the-family plan that metastasizes. The cast includes Mike Kroner, Kristine Antonsen, MP Piper, Sarah Kiley, and Casey Storm. Chris Carter directs.

Jeff D'Angelo (Inkprov) tells the story of twerking in a church, and Drew Jacobson (also Inkprov) plays in with the team. The set features an extraordinary young magician, a "different" teenager just trying to fit in, someone not quite ready to come out as a hipster, and ravers with more than the usual accoutrements. The cast includes Mike Kroner, Kristine Antonsen, MP Piper, Sarah Kiley, and Casey Storm. Chris Carter directs.

Sam Cooper (Inkprov) relates the saga of his high school prom, and Sam Cathcart (First Date, Good Crash) plays in with the team. The set features a strict interpretation of the prom code, a very fancy game night, and a parent with a unique defense of their child's alleged misbehavior. The cast includes Kristine Antonsen, Sarah Kylie, Winnie Yeung, Casey Mills, MP Piper, and Mike Kroner. Directed by Chris Carter.

Sam Cathcart (First Date, Good Crash) shares a story of camping in Appalachia, and Sam Cooper (Inkprov) plays in with the team. The set features a couple considering purchasing a murder house, a niche car salesman, parents vetting childcare providers, and a man with very specific cosmetic wants. The cast includes Kristine Antonsen, Mark Ableidinger, Sarah Kylie, Winnie Yeung, Casey Mills, MP Piper, and Mike Kroner. Directed by Chris Carter.

Seattle improv star Erika Lowe tells a bananas story of her time in the art world. Then Robbie Lowe (Mad Science) plays in with the cast on a set featuring a lax nuclear facility attendant, suspicious activity in a casino vault, a surprising VIP on a plane flight, and a long-haul trucker who falls for fine art. The cast features MP Piper, Mark Ableidinger, Winnie Yeung, Jeffrey Nickels, Sarah Kylie, Kristine Antonsen, and Coonoor Behal. Chris Carter directs.

Robbie Lite (Mad Science) turns on the wayback machine and takes us to a 2nd grade sleepover! Then Seattle improv fixture Erika Lowe plays with the cast on a set that features a morning-after conversation, a perilous piñata, a treasured collection of "books," unaccountable Boomers, some young toughs, and a couple reliving an accident that befell their wedding. The cast features Jeffrey Nickels, Sarah Kylie, Kristine Antonsen, MP Piper, Mark Ableidinger, Winnie Yeung, and Coonoor Behal. Chris Carter directs.

Chrysta Storm from Swipe Right shares a story of high school romance. The set features a relationship crumbling in a drug store, an optimist expecting love, a surprising rave afterparty, a theatrical agent pushing raunch, and a commitment-phobe talking about faith. The cast features Jeffrey Nickels, Sarah Kylie, Kristine Antonsen, MP Piper, Mark Ableidinger, Winnie Yeung, and Casey Mills. Chris Carter directs.

Proud foodie Coonoor Behal (The Couples Quiz) shares the story of a meal gone wrong, and Chrysta Storm (Swipe Right) plays in with the cast in a set that features high expectations in Trader Joe's, ridiculous expectations ahead of prom, an explorer of mediocrity, a shameless first date, and a little something special from the tax preparer. The cast features Jeffrey Nickels, Sarah Kylie, Kristine Antonsen, MP Piper, Mark Ableidinger, Winnie Yeung, and Casey Mills. Chris Carter directs.

Menudo’s Carlos Orlando shares the story of a recent surprise playdate with a friend, and Vince Yap plays in with the cast. The set includes an astronaut dad, a coy police commissioner, a visit to Disneyland that’s full of surprises, an unreasonable ride home, and a presumptuous mentor. The cast includes Coonoor Behal, Jeffrey Nickels, Sarah Kylie, MP Piper, Casey Mills, Mark Ableidinger, and Winnie Yeung. Chris Carter directs.

This week we have two guests from L.A.! Vince Yap tells an awkward story of high school romance thwarted, and Carlos Orlando plays in with the cast on a set that includes a stepped-on psychology teacher, a woman with an irresistible name, a hockey team undone by their nicknames, parents having a T-A-L-K with their typical son, and a manager offering some unwanted career counseling! The cast includes Coonoor Behal, Jeffrey Nickels, Sarah Kylie, MP Piper, Casey Mills, Mark Ableidinger, and Winnie Yeung. Chris Carter directs.

This week Bandit stalwart Kevin McVey shares an almost inspiring story from his high school robotics team. And Courtney Vineys plays in with the cast on a set that features an "average" boyfriend who confesses his ex-dorkdom, a robot with low self esteem, a wildly imprecise eyewitness, an FBI recruit finding Quantico underwhelming, and a pep talk for low expectations. The cast includes MP Piper, Kristine Antonsen, Mark Ableidinger, Jeffrey Nickels, Casey Mills, Coonoor Behal, and Winnie Yeung. Directed by Chris Carter.

Twitch gamer and self-described silly goose Courtney Vineys shares with us how constantly lying to hairdressers eventually made her fear for her locks. Then Bandit's Kevin McVey (Mad Science) plays in with the cast on a set that includes an elaborately dishonest therapy patient, a third date at drama-heavy Applebees, a school assembly with a very serious principal, and a man who reluctantly lets himself become the canvas for a new kind of artiste. The cast includes MP Piper, Kristine Antonsen, Mark Ableidinger, Jeffrey Nickels, Casey Mills, Coonoor Behal, and Winnie Yeung. Directed by Chris Carter.