Downtime was founded in 2013 in New Orleans under the name “The 2nd Foundation.” Their first performance was the original adaptation of “With love from the Underworld,” which debuted in the New Orleans Fringe Festival. The performance was reviewed by Southern Glossary, which said that the show:

“is the kind of fearless performance without a safety net that the New Orleans Fringe built it’s reputation on.”

Local publication OffBeat also listed the show as one of The Top 12 Fringe Fest Shows Not to Miss.

After changing the name to Downtime in 2014, the company continued with the performance of “Tumbleweeds,” continuing to focus on guerrilla performance spaces, such as houses, bars, and pop-up venues.

In 2015, the company ran the first installment of “Kunts Who Kill,” which continues to be a series of episodes satirizing the media’s portrayal of women. Several versions of the show were performed in the New Orleans “Faux/Real” festival later that year.  In 2017, Downtime became a registered non-profit 501(c)(3) organization.

Downtime’s current company members have trained in theaters across the world, such as Russia, Serbia, and London, along with various theatres across the United States. This diverse training serves to expose other company members to new training methods, creating a medley of techniques.  

Downtime produces original and derived works. Company members work collaboratively, drawing on their New Orleans surroundings, hometown experiences, and period jokes to create original material that is both politically and personally relevant, such as Creep by Stormlight, Tumbleweeds, and Kunts Who Kill.

Downtime also embodies the New Orleans laissez-faire attitude, featuring shows with drinking games, live sound effects, and other local artists.

Downtime is currently run by Executive Director Tiffany Wilson, Artistic Director Dani Mettler, and Core Company Member Brian Harris.