The founders of SPW, Bruce Pachtman and W. Kamau Bell, really did not intend to found anything. Bruce, a Bay Area writer/actor/publicist, merely suggested that Kamau, a Bay Area comedian, should teach a class in “solo performance”. After all, Kamau had done a superb job of directing Bruce’s show Don’t Make Me Look Too Psychotic, San Francisco’s second longest running solo show, and then quickly developed a solo performance directing resume. (A Long Drink of Silence, F**king Handicapped Guy, MissMatches.com). Kamau, a push over to peer pressure, shrugged his shoulders and showed up on the first day of class.

SPW graduated its first cohort in 2005. A year later Martha Rynberg joined the workshop ranks and – because she has a nasty habit of arguing with Kamau – became the original director of the W. Kamau Bell Curve: Ending Racism in About an Hour. Under her direction, “The Curve” garnered praise from The San Francisco Chronicle (Four Stars), The SF Weekly (Recommended), The SF Bay Guardian (Critic’s Pick), and The East Bay Express (Critic’s Choice). Martha joined Kamau as a Principal Director in 2008 and is also the SPW Groundskeeper.