Improv and Comedy
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Improv and sketch comedy have always been important parts of my creative life. I took my first improv class at The Second City in 1999 and never looked back. As a performer, teacher, and coach, I specialize in fully-improvised musicals, long- and short-form improv, and original sketch comedy.
For 12 years I was a faculty member and music director at The Second City Training Center in Chicago. I'm a graduate of The Second City Conservatory in Chicago, iO Chicago, and Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre in Los Angeles. I have also performed with ComedySportz LA and studied at the Annoyance Theatre in Chicago. In 2012, a few colleagues and I founded the Improvised Sondheim Project, an independent improv group that created spontaneous, original musicals in the style of celebrated composer-lyricist Stephen Sondheim. We regularly played to sold-out crowds at the New York Musical Improv Festival, Chicago Improv Festival, Chicago Music Improv Festival, Stage 773, MCL Chicago, and elsewhere. Additional comedy credits include: The Second City Theatricals' Jewsical: The Musical!, Baby Wants Candy, Loki (at iO West), Vamp, Forte, Best Church of God, Jazz Hands Across America, The Second City Training Center's Music Improv House Ensemble Infinite Sundaes, and various comedy festivals and venues across the country. |
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Directing and Coaching
In addition to performing comedy, I also direct scripted shows and coach improv ensembles.
In 2011, I directed Christmas in Chicago for The Fine Print Theatre Company. Created and scripted during its eight-week rehearsal process, this critically-acclaimed musical comedy played to sold-out houses at Chicago Dramatists. I returned to direct the 2012 and 2013 productions of the show, which featured entirely new content and songs.
Other directing credits include scripted and improvised productions such as the Mint Juleps, Listen Kid, States: The Musical!, The Timeless Tale of New Portsmouth, Hollow Hills High School, The Temp Is Going Up: An Inconvenient Tune, and Earth Planet Space, an improvised sci-fi soap opera for The Second City Training Center's Coached Ensembles program.
In 2011, I directed Christmas in Chicago for The Fine Print Theatre Company. Created and scripted during its eight-week rehearsal process, this critically-acclaimed musical comedy played to sold-out houses at Chicago Dramatists. I returned to direct the 2012 and 2013 productions of the show, which featured entirely new content and songs.
Other directing credits include scripted and improvised productions such as the Mint Juleps, Listen Kid, States: The Musical!, The Timeless Tale of New Portsmouth, Hollow Hills High School, The Temp Is Going Up: An Inconvenient Tune, and Earth Planet Space, an improvised sci-fi soap opera for The Second City Training Center's Coached Ensembles program.