Ophelia's Rope: The Longest Performing Improv Comedy Duo in Houston
Ophelia's Rope is the longest performing improv duo in Houston, TX, known for their engaging improv performances.
Who We Are
Our Show
Ophelia’s Rope, established in 2012, is the longest performing improv duo in Houston. This two-person long form improv group draws its inspiration directly from you. That’s right, you. A typical show begins with Ophelia’s Rope engaging their audience by asking one or two random questions, then transforming those answers into a unique setting, plot, and an array of unexpected, sometimes quirky, characters. With no story predicted and no ending forecasted, Ophelia’s Rope takes its audience on a journey through the realms of imagination, creating surprising scenes inspired by their Houston improv performances.
Our Background
Ophelia’s Rope comes backed with extensive experience in theatre, improv performances, dancing, singing, TV and film, and athleticism. Members Autumn Clack majored in Acting at Adelphi University in New York, complemented by a minor in Dance, focusing on ballet and modern styles. She then attended the London Dramatic Academy, where she delved deep into the world of Shakespeare. Clack has also acquired skills in stage combat, pointe dance, aerial, dialect detection, and choreography, making her a multi-threat onstage—especially alongside Ruth McCleskey, a highly suitable improv partner. Ruth McCleskey graduated magna cum laude from the University of Houston, earning her BA in Theatre with an emphasis on Acting and Directing. Since then, she has continued to learn in the fields of acting, improv, stage combat, TV and film production, and various dance forms, including two-step, swing, tango, and waltz. The journey of the ladies of Ophelia’s Rope in the world of improv began in 2005 when they joined Massive Improv. They participated in multiple teams, taking their talents to Austin, Chicago, and San Francisco. Eventually, both Clack and McCleskey moved away from Massive Improv, but the stage eventually called them back to improv, leading to the creation of Ophelia’s Rope! The team has performed at several notable events, including the Houston Improv Festival, the Austin Out of Bounds Festival, ComedySportz, Boston Comedy Arts Festival, Chicago Improv Festival, The Trill Festival, The Count Down Festival, the Baltimore Improv Festival, the Del Close Marathon, and The PIT in NY.