Learn about the humble beginnings of Salsation! One of the nations premier Latino improv and sketch comedy ensembles. Founded by Paul Vato in Chicago, IL.
Salsation Theatre Company began in 1998 when students from Chicagos improv community, brought together by Paul Vato and Tilda del Toro, decided to get together and form a group. It was something that almost had to happen: In the mid 90s, Chicago, which is widely considered the home of improv and sketch comedy, saw something of a resurgence of talent and performers such as Tina Fey, Rachel Dratch and Horatio Sanz and others were appearing in hit revues at the historic Second City before moving on to shows like Saturday Night Live and MADtv. Also, Latino popular culture was finally crossing over with artists like Ricky Martin and Jennifer Lopez creating what the media would call a Latin Explosion in entertainment. A writer and performer named John Leguizamo was performing character-oriented comic monologues that took an irreverent look at Latino life. A comedy troupe coming out of both Chicagos extensive improv scene and Chicagos large Latino population in the 1990s almost seemed inevitable.
This is their story.
