Jessilee Windhaus, a Sacramento State alum, has opened Haus of Comedy, billed as Sacramento’s only female and queer owned improv theater, setting up regular shows and classes inside the renovated Eagle Theatre on the Old Sacramento waterfront. The new venue adds badly needed evening programming to a historic block that city officials have been trying to bring back to life since the pandemic, and Windhaus says the space is meant to boost both performers and nearby businesses by drawing audiences downtown at night.
From its Eagle Theatre home base, Haus of Comedy offers live improv shows, adult classes and corporate team building, according to Haus of Comedy. The flagship troupe, Sharks Barksley, performs every Saturday night under Windhaus’s direction, and the company highlights inclusion for queer performers and women on stage.
From Incubator Runner-Up To The Eagle Theatre
Windhaus, a 2013 theatre graduate of Sacramento State who co founded Empire Arts Collective, turned a business incubator pitch into the foundation for Haus of Comedy. As reported by Sacramento State, the venture was named a runner up in the Calling All Dreamers business incubator and received $15,000 to help launch in Old Sacramento. The program offers mentorship and cash awards to entrepreneurs, according to Downtown Sacramento Partnership.
Why Old Sacramento Matters
Landing a permanent storefront was not smooth sailing. The Sacramento Bee reported that Windhaus’s initial lease came with expensive fire and accessibility upgrades, which sent renovation costs far beyond what she had expected and pushed her to shift the project to the Eagle Theatre instead. Local officials and business groups argue that experience focused spots like theaters can help revive downtown by bringing in evening foot traffic that feeds restaurants, hotels and other merchants.
What To See And How To Sign Up
Shows and classes are already showing up on local listings. The Old Sacramento Waterfront events page promotes monthly sketch nights and improv workshops produced by Haus of Comedy at the Eagle Theatre. Ticketing details, class schedules and team building options are posted on the company’s site and in event listings for the Eagle Theatre so potential patrons can check dates before heading to Old Sac.
“I love a challenge because I have problems,” Windhaus told Sacramento State. She says she wants Haus of Comedy to grow into a long term hub for Sacramento’s improv community and at the same time help bring nighttime crowds back to Old Sacramento. For now, she is concentrating on building audiences at the Eagle Theatre and expanding classes and corporate workshops across the region.
