In a city like Miami, where businesses often struggle to maintain their footing amidst soaring costs, celebrating a 10-year milestone is no small feat. Villain Theater, a beloved comedy club nestled in Little Haiti, has become a staple in the local arts scene, demonstrating remarkable resilience through challenges including tenuous leases, resource constraints, and the impact of a global pandemic.
Since opening in 2015, Villain Theater has created a vibrant space for alternative comedy, primarily focusing on a femme and queer brand of humor. This unique approach has allowed the theater to cultivate a devoted audience and a tight-knit community among South Florida’s comedy enthusiasts.
Co-owner and artistic director Peter Mir recalls the club’s humble beginnings, launched with a group of 10 students from Florida International University eager to hone their skills in a supportive environment.
Mir reflects on the journey, stating, “The idea was just to have fun with artistic people, and the end product now 10 years later is a miracle.” The theater’s inception was sparked by a desire to combine artistic forces and provide a platform for creativity and growth.
Jannelys Santos, the theater’s chief operating officer, producer, actor, and instructor, shares her deep appreciation for the sense of community that Villain fosters. Santos paraphrases Claire Danes, saying, “Theater is the remedy for loneliness,” emphasizing how vital the relationships formed at Villain are to her.
Villain Theater is distinguished from other comedy venues not only by its focus on femme and queer identities but also through its commitment to artistic depth. Santos points out that many comedy clubs tend to follow the traditional format of a stool and microphone, but at Villain, the performances are infused with theatricality, emotional connection, and character development.
“Our style of improv is a bit more theatrical because we are actors first,” Santos explains. This focus on performance allows the theater to push boundaries and offer audiences something truly unique.
Mir notes the growth Villain has experienced over the years, highlighting how guest performers from major comedy hubs like Los Angeles and New York have been impressed by the theater’s evolution. He likens Villain to the Galapagos Islands of comedy, stating, “We’ve gotten our own little weird creatures here that only exist here.”
While there are certainly common themes in humor across South Florida, Santos identifies a tendency among local comedians to rely heavily on their ethnic backgrounds. She acknowledges the humor that comes from exaggerating cultural identities, but also expresses a desire to challenge audiences with more complex forms of comedy that they might not frequently encounter.
Mir attributes Villain Theater’s resilience to its strong community support. He emphasizes that the theater’s financial foundation relies on proceeds from shows and classes, reinforcing transparency and honesty in their operations. “It’s not us. It’s the people supporting our shows, it’s our students,” Mir says.
As Villain Theater celebrates its 10-year anniversary, both Mir and Santos express optimism for the future. They emphasize the importance of community in ensuring the theater’s continuation and growth over the next decade. With unwavering support from their audience and dedicated performers, the future looks bright for this distinctive Miami institution.
In a transient city where many established establishments are struggling to stay afloat, Villain Theater stands as a testament to the power of art, community, and resilience.
image source from：kbindependent
