PureFest Festival Announces Line-Up

Lockport, Ill.: With eleven total acts scheduled for PureFeston Saturday, Sept. 28, the second annual festival for Christian performers of improv, sketch comedy, or drama ministry has more than doubled in its sophomore year. PureFest will open up at 1:00 P.M. at Cross Point Church, Lockport, Ill., with doors opening at 12:00 P.M.

“It took a lot of deliberation and prayer to make sure we balanced the line-up for the benefit of the performers and the audience,” said Dave Ebert, PureFest creator. “With this much talent, you want to start off strong to make a good impression, but you also want to make sure all of these amazing people get properly featured. Balancing ten acts, eleven counting (local singer) Rebekah Crane, is a wonderful problem to have.”

Ebert said that all the acts coming are special and will make PureFest 2019, “an outstanding way for families, friends, couples, small groups, or anyone else to spend a day enjoying live theater.”

Opening the day will be Chicago comedienne Michelle Krajecki, who will be the emcee for the entirety of the day. Krajecki will warm up the crowd with her amazing wit and charm. Then, the first act of the festival will be the first of two teams from Concordia University Chicago. CUC’s improv troupe The Unprofessionals, who has performed both on campus and at several venues throughout Chicago.

The second performance will be the longest-traveled group, Oxymorons Comedy from Colorado Springs, Colo. This will be the second time PureFest has featured a team from the Denver area and Oxymorons Comedy will perform short-form improv comedy. Following Oxymorons will be Decapolis, the theatre ministry team from Concordia University Chicago. Director of both Concordia teams is David Knoell.

The fourth performance will be the first of two impromptu teams. PureFest organizers wanted to give individual Christian performers the chance to be a part of the event, despite not having a faith-based team to bring. Thus, the WildCard teams were created to combine various individuals to perform a one-time-only set. The first WildCard team will perform short-form improv comedy. The latter team will perform long-form improv comedy. Both WildCard teams will have time to practice and get to know each other for a short time before performing together.

Following the short-form WildCard team will be MADtrimony, the husband-wife duo of PureFest founder Dave Ebert and wife Bobbie Ebert. The Eberts are also the children’s pastors at host Cross Point Church. Another first for the second year’s efforts is the addition of a musical act. Special guest Rebekah Crane, who is starting to gain some notoriety in the Lockport area for her musical talents, will entertain the audience with her vocal stylings. Crane’s performance will send the event into intermission.

To open the second half of PureFest, The Kingdom Players from Lee University (Tenn.) will take the stage. Kingdom Players regularly tour nationally to present their original sketch and drama pieces which are written by the students to be performed during the current season. The WildCard Long Form Improv will play next. Alan Atwood, the Artistic Director at Morning Star Productions in Milwaukee, Wis., will share his incredible one-man-show.

The final two acts will exemplify the diversity and reach of PureFest. First, the Chicago-suburb-based Well Versed Comedy, who is also producing a show at Second City on Sept. 29, will perform their high-energy, highly interactive improv comedy. The closing act is the headline duo Austin and LeB Presents. The Knoxville, Tenn., duo are currently on tour throughout the south and south east, and are preparing for their first international tour to Australia in November.
“From Chicago to Tennessee, from Milwaukee to the Denver area, we see an even more incredible and diverse amount of talent and personalities than last year,” added Ebert. “PureFest 2019 is going to be so much fun. I can’t wait to share it with the people!”

PureFest, which is designed to provide a day of clean, family-friendly theater for all ages, announces a Family Ticket for families with four or more people. Tickets for PureFest are $10 each, but the Family Ticket is $35, and will cover admission for everyone in a family of four or more people. Admission to PureFest will also grant in-and-out privileges so that audiences can visit and return to see their favorite performers.

PureFest opens up at 1:00 PM on Saturday, Sept. 28, at Cross Point Church, 17530 W. Fox Hollow Drive, Lockport, Ill., with doors opening at 12:00 PM.

About PureFest: PureFest: Chicago’s faith-based improv and sketch festival is the brainchild of Dave Ebert. The festival takes place Friday, September 27, which is a night of fellowship for the performers. Then, the performances will be Saturday, September 28, beginning at 1 p.m. PureFest is being hosted by Cross Point Church in Lockport, Ill., and is open to the public. Admission is a suggested donation of $10, but no one will be turned away from the event. PureFest is designed to build community among Christian improvisers and sketch performers, give those performers a platform to share their gifts and passions, and also give the public a chance to see an afternoon of family friendly entertainment. Find PureFest on social media @PureFestChicago, or online at PureFest.org.

About Cross Point Church: Cross Point Church is located at 17530 W. Fox Hollow Drive, Lockport, Ill. 60441. Cross Point is a member of the Illinois District Assemblies of God. Originally First Assemblies of Lockport, the church changed its name when moving to their current location near the corner of Bruce Road and Briggs Street. Services are held at 10:00 A.M. each Sunday, with various ministry groups meeting throughout the week. Find out more information at www.crosspointlockport.org.

About Dave Ebert: Dave Ebert moved to Chicago from Beckley, WV, to pursue a ministry in comedy and improv. Dave spent 8 years as a pro wrestler, where he credits most of his acting and improv training. Dave has also trained at Second City, Westside Improv, and Gorilla Tango Theater. Dave is currently taking classes to pursue ordination in ministry. In 2013, Dave co-founded Well Versed Comedy. Well Versed Comedy is a group of Christians that work hard to bring clean, family friendly entertainment in a world desperate for an alternative. Dave is a speaker, actor, improviser, and improv coach. For booking inquiries regarding Well Versed Comedy, email contact@gifts4glory.com, or visit gifts4glory.com.

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