No Shame Theatre was founded by Todd Ristau and Stan Ruth at the University of Iowa in Iowa City, Iowa in 1986. [1] [2] It is a forum for stage performances of original works, often presented as a late-night talent show. [2] [1] Chapters were later started in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Charlottesville, and many college campuses. [1] [3] By 2012, 20 theatre troupes had been started across the United States. [2]