Going rogue: New company hopes to breathe 'fresh life' into Marion entertainment scene

Four people who have played integral roles on the Marion County entertainment scene for many years are banding together to "unleash the extraordinary" and make Marion a "prime destination for enthralling live entertainment" and edgy comedy shows.

Chip Gregory, Eric Mosley, Kristi Wink and Daniel Bradshaw are the principals behind Rogue Theatrics LLC, an "innovative entertainment company ... devoted to breathing fresh life into local entertainment and offering extraordinary experiences to audiences." All four cut their creative teeth at the Palace Theatre in Marion and are still involved with productions there today. Mosley and Bradshaw are founding members of Shovel City Improv.

Gregory, founder and executive producer of Rogue Theatrics, "is a seasoned producer, director, and performer" who has worked in Chicago, New York, Los Angeles, Austin, and Columbus. He has forged an extensive career in marketing and public relations.

During his career as a performer, Gregory has been a member of The Mohos, a comedy troupe founded and led by the late Hollywood icon Fred Willard. He performed at distinguished venues like Second City Hollywood and Acme Comedy Theatre.

Profound influences from Palace Theatre

Gregory noted Rogue Theatrics employs an "innovative business model, seamlessly merging high-end live theatrical productions and events with an avant-garde marketing and advertising platform approach, reminiscent of digital content models employed by platforms like YouTube. Leveraging the power of digital marketing, social media, and immersive advertising, Rogue Theatrics offers significant benefits to its corporate sponsors and brand partnerships."

Gregory said Ula Watts, Clare Cook, George Schram, and others affiliated with the Palace Theatre were profound influences on his life and the lives of Mosley, Wink, and Bradshaw. Gregory said the talent that has been cultivated in Marion over the years through the Palace also served to encourage him in the venture, especially seeing the Shovel City Improv group in action.

"I've just been blown away by how great they are," he said. "And seeing how the audience reacted to them and interacted with them was just amazing. That showed me that we have the talent here to do this and that there is an audience for the type of edgy comedy that we want to do. And I was just in 'Beauty and the Beast' (at the Palace) and I was looking around thinking, 'Why aren't some of these people on Broadway.' There's just that much talent in this community. And we've already recruited a good group to form the core of our cast."

Known locally as a radio personality and marketing and advertising executive for iHeartMedia Marion, Mosley brings a wealth of experience in live entertainment production, event management, broadcasting, audio editing, comedy writing, podcasting, improv, and voice acting. He is serving as the managing producer for Rogue Theatrics.

Obvious audience for 'different kinds of entertainment'

"The crowds that we've had for (Shovel City Improv) shows have been a mixture of younger and older people and those in between," Mosley said. "It's not something you see, not just in Marion, but almost anywhere you don't see that mixture of crowd. But there is definitely a base here that wants to see different kinds of entertainment beyond what we already have locally. And I think we've got the right people involved to make this happen."

Wink, the producing artistic director, has enjoyed a stellar career that includes performing on Broadway and in Cleveland. Her talents in directing, producing, and choreography are well known in the community through her captivating productions on the Marion Palace stage. Wink is also a dedicated educator, inspiring the next generation of young artists at the Douce Dance Studio and Palace Theater.

Bradshaw, described as "the creative force behind Rogue Theatrics," possesses a deep passion for the performing arts, demonstrated through his accomplishments as an actor, comedy performer, writer, and music composer. Bradshaw has experience in marketing and advertising.

First show coming up in October

Gregory said the first show produced and performed by the Rogue Theatrics team will be "Fright Night Cabaret: Comedy, Music & Mayhem," scheduled for Thursday and Friday, Oct. 26-27, at Urban501, 320 W. Center St. in downtown Marion. The pre-show cocktail hour begins at 6:30 p.m. with the performance set for 7:30 p.m.

"Prepare for an exhilarating blend of audacious comedy sketches, mesmerizing live music, and riveting performances that will keep you engaged and entertained throughout the evening," Gregory said. "We invite you to be part of an extraordinary night of laughter, astonishment, and unforgettable moments."

Gregory emphasized that the show features adult themes, strong language and mature content that is not suitable for children.

Tickets for the VIP dinner and show package are $45 each and include prime seating, meal, swag bag, and other amenities. Dinner and cocktails for VIP ticket holders begins at 6 p.m.

Tickets for general admission seating cost $25 each (one-drink minimum).

For ticket information, go to the Rogue Theatrics website.

Email: ecarter@gannett.com

This article originally appeared on Marion Star: Rogue Theatrics debuts with 'Fright Night Cabaret' in October