Held Friday nights at 10:00, No Shame Theatre takes place in the Parliamentary room of the Communication Arts Center on the University of Northern Iowa campus. Actors treat the audience to 15 short performances, featuring everything from war protests to opinions about musician Kenny G.

Though favorite musicians may not always be the topic, No Shame Theatre is intended to be a forum for writers who have something to say. Luke Pingel, a member of the No Shame Theatre's board of directors, said it's a way for writers to get their work out there and see how people react to it.

"Writers are the people who benefit the most from it because they can test drive whatever it is they're working on at the time," said Pingel.

Performances come in a variety of forms. Poetry, dramatic readings, performance art and music are a few outlets for writers at No Shame. An occasional slideshow or stand up comedy act gets into the mix. Writers choose any topic they like, making some performances a serious political stance, while others make fun of everyday life.

Topics are broad because only three rules must be followed when presenting at No Shame Theatre. Scripts must be original, less than five minutes, and nothing and no one can be damaged.

Scripts are used for most pieces but actors are usually not cast until just before the show starts. Writers come about half an hour early to sign up for a slot and find actors for their performances.

"Its come to a point where it's almost kind of taboo to pre-cast your piece before the show, it's more of adventure, more exciting to just hand out your scripts and put it out there and see what happens," said Pingel.

Because No Shame is not rehearsed, things can be a little crazy before the show starts.

"I'm not sure there is such a thing as a normal night," said Pingel.

Abnormal nights have become a tradition. The organization celebrated its 17th anniversary on October 3. The first No Shame Theatre production was in Iowa City in the back of a pick-up truck in a University of Iowa parking lot. Jeff Goode, Todd Ristau, and Stan Ruth organized the first event. To commemorate the anniversary, a special No Shame session was held in Iowa City in the bed of the original truck and featured the best of No Shame Theatre.

Since its birth, the No Shame Theatre name spread across the country. Branches of the organization popped up from New York to Los Angeles. Goode and Ristau published a handbook, How to No Shame, explaining the steps of starting a new group for those interested in starting a group in their area.

The popularity of No Shame Theatre has grown fast, which doesn't surprise Neil Vangorder, who helped launch No Shame in the Cedar Valley. Pingel and Vangorder both attended performances in Iowa City and were interested in bringing the action to UNI. In 2000, the two met and organized the Cedar Falls branch.

Now, No Shame pulls in an audience of about 110 people on an average night, according to Pingel. Often, they have to turn some performers down because all of the 15 slots have been filled.

Anyone interested in participating or attending the show is welcome. Performances come from students, professors, and other members of the Cedar Falls community.