Things got a little out of hand for the actors/playwrights of "Thirst Theater," which features brief mini-dramas that unfold in a bar. In fact, they had to turn people away for their final four sold-out performances this fall at Joe's Garage, 1610 Harmon Pl.

It was a good deal for everyone. While the actors/playwrights found an excuse to eat, mingle and try out some fresh material for varied audiences, they also discovered that attendees were actually eager to see the results of their dramatic experiment. Viewers kind of liked beingtreated like insiders who got a sneak peek into an ongoing rehearsal process.

After all, "Thirst's" unpolished patina was part of the fun. Shamelessly, the actors/playwrights touted the absence of a director or other middlemen who usually stretched out the production schedule.

"Thirst" was pretty informal. There wasn't much in the way of lighting, costume or props; sketches were written in just a few hours and rehearsal time was negligible.

"Thirst's" subjects were easy to relate to: tense individuals unwinding in bars - especially while diners and viewers consumed beers and burgers themselves. Audience members didn't have to be reverently quiet at all times. They could spread out their legs and move around if need be without feeling like they'd draw too much attention to themselves (sometimes it can be intimidating to leave your theater seat). Viewers contributed to the atmosphere and as such, ate, drank and stepped outside to smoke.

Now, for those still hankering for the "Thirst" menu, the troupe is back with another batch of 12 raw skits that'll rotate weekly. The shows are co-sponsored by the Minnesota Fringe Festival.