Fat Neil Comedy brings a second serving of sketch comedy to the Oakland Center for the Arts on Friday.
The troupe, whose name refers to an obscure character from the NBC series "Community," features Jaye Mills, Jesse Huber, Josh Winters, Tim Wolfe, Tommy Snodgrass, Michael Kolenich, Eric Lewis, Erik Cribley and Angela "Fro" Clemente.
"We're all aspiring standups, actors and general troublemakers," Mills said.
The idea for a sketch comedy troupe was hatched after an open mic comedy night at University Pizzeria in Youngstown.
"After the show, we took a picture standing on stage, and I commented we look like the 'Saturday Night Live' of Youngstown," Mills said. "So we got the idea to put together a group for sketch comedy."
The performers try to meet about once a week to bounce ideas off of one another, write and rehearse.
Fact Box
When You?Go
WHAT: Fat Neil Comedy
WHEN: 9 p.m. Friday
WHERE: Oakland Center for the Arts, 220 W. Boardman St., Youngstown
HOW MUCH: $5 in advance and $7 at the door.
"It's always a collaboration," Mills said. "Someone will come up with just a rough idea, and the person who started the idea may not be the one who writes it. We thought collaborating might be a challenge, but it's really been a blessing, playing off of each others' strengths."
Because some of the members have been busy with other things, Friday's show might feature more standup than sketch comedy, but they will incorporate some improv and other group performances into the program.
Fat Neil shows also include their share of Mahoning Valley-centered comedy. Their first performance at the Oakland in February included a newscast parody that played off of local events.
"A lot of the comedians in the group have bits about life in the Valley, and we use those things," Mills said.
Proceeds from Friday's performance will benefit the Oakland, and the members of Fat Neil hope to work in regular appearances around the Oakland's theater schedule so they don't have to go nine months between shows next time.