About

MISSION STATEMENT

“To boldly go where no college comedy has gone before: into the hearts of audiences, the annals of improv history, and occasionally, the chaos of forgotten punchlines. The Mee-Ow Show exists to make Northwestern laugh, cry (from laughing), and remember that the best traditions are the ones that don’t take themselves too seriously.”

How it Works

Want in? Auditions are open to all Northwestern students every Fall Quarter — no theater experience required. Some of our most famous alumni started with zero performance background. For audition dates and news from the current cast, follow the Mee-Ow Show’s Instagram.

Alongside the cast auditions, we also hold tryouts for a talented band to create the perfect live soundtrack for our shows. Once the team is set, the real fun begins: writing, rehearsing, and composing two completely original shows for Winter Quarter. The first premieres in January, the second in February — each packed with fresh ideas, hilarious sketches, unforgettable improv, and music that keeps the energy soaring.

FIVE DECADES OF MEE-OW

• 1974 — Out to rival the buttoned-up Waa-Mu Show, students Josh Lazar and Paul Warshauer premiere Just in Time on April 12 — a three-hour, time-travel-themed variety spectacular with a cast and crew of 50, and the first-ever production in McCormick Auditorium. The name “Mee-Ow”? A wink at the Wildcat mascot and a parody of Waa-Mu.
• 1975–76 — New leaders Bill Nuss and Dusty Kay rebuild the sprawling variety show as improv and sketch comedy, inspired by Chicago’s Second City — the comedy-first format Mee-Ow keeps to this day.
• 1980 — A young Julia Louis-Dreyfus joins the cast; auditions now draw 120+ students for six slots.
• 1984 — The live rock band debuts for the 10th anniversary, a tradition that continues today. A preview show at Shanley Pavilion joins the McCormick mainstage.
• 1985 — Romy Rosemont becomes Mee-Ow’s first female director.
• 1986 — Grad student Dan Patterson directs Oedipuss ’n’ Boots and leads Mee-Ow’s first trip to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival — he later co-creates Whose Line Is It Anyway?, bringing Mee-Ow-style improv to millions.
• 1990s — The format settles into its modern shape: one-third sketch, one-third improv games, one-third rock ’n’ roll, with two full original shows each winter. Mee-Ow alums co-found Boom Chicago in Amsterdam, a launching pad for Seth Meyers and many others.
• 2021 — The show goes on — over Zoom — during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• 2024 — Mee-Ow celebrates 50 years with a reunion festival, a Northwestern University Archives exhibit, and the publication of The Mee-Ow Show at 50.

LEGACY

The Mee-Ow Show has been a launching pad for some of the brightest stars in comedy and entertainment, with alumni who have graced Saturday Night Live, TV, and film. But its impact goes far beyond fame. For decades, Mee-Ow has given students the tools to tackle life with creativity, confidence, and collaboration. Whether it’s stepping into the spotlight or leading behind the scenes, the experience of creating and performing with Mee-Ow has shaped alumni into bold thinkers and team players in every field imaginable. It’s a legacy of laughter, resilience, and lifelong connections.