The 2nd Annual College Improv Tournament
TEAMS 2008
45Kings from Loyola University Chicago
TEAMS 2007 45Kings from Loyola University Chicago
In 2002, Loyola University students and Zach Ward, the executive producer of DSI (Dirty South Improv) created what is today The 45Kings. Originally the Loyola Players, the team later shortened the name to The LP's which lead to the idea of 45" records. Hence, The 45kings were born in the fall of 2002. The 45Kings is currently comprised of eleven members, 6 new members in 2007 and 5 veterans. Since 2005, the team has been coached by Barrel of Monkey's company member and IMPLOSION College Comedy Festival's associate producer, Meredith Ibey. The 45Kings are a very versatile troupe, playing both short form and long form improvisation. Since 2005, the 45Kings have found their strength by combining both formats and creating new mid-forms based on the talents of the team. Currently, the 45Kings' form is based on strong characters, progressing their scenes through the traits of single characters, and total acceptance. The 45Kings Motto: Have fun or go home! The 45Kings perform at least twice a month on campus and have performed off campus at such venues as IO's Improv Rebellion and opened for various shows at the Playground Theater. The 45kings won the Oracle Theater's Chicago college comedy competition in the spring of 2006, and in 2005 and 2006, the 45kings were showcased at the Chicago Improv Festival's IMPLOSION College Comedy Festival. The 45kings also performed at IU's Comedy Festival in the spring of 2006. They look forward to winning CIF's College Comedy Competition 2007. The 45Kings' are coached by Meredith Ibey. The 45 Kings' captain is Nick Simoneaux. The team members include Julia Class, Thomas Lowery, Cheryl Manley, Kaycie McClure, Thomas Novik, Maria Randazzo, Erin Renshaw, and Jake Saleh. Awkward Silence Comedy from Indiana University
Awkward Silence Comedy is Indiana University's premiere short-form improv troupe. The troupe has been performing shows at Indiana University - Bloomington every week for the past four years. The group performs a unique style of improv combining short-form games with the long-form Harold. Awkward Silence Comedy team members include Andy Blastick, Brian M. Frange, Georgia Perry, Justin Purcell, Mike Stone, & Alex Young. BAM! from Loyola University Chicago
BAM! is pH productions' pHarm team at Loyola University Chicago. They like to play all over the city. They were founded in the spring of 2004 and continue to grow exponentially. BAM! team members include Jeff Behrends, Elise Webb, Claire Alden, Ian McLaren, Anne Murphy, Chris Burdulis, Caitlin Flessner, Kevin Graver, Kathryn Durkin, Heather Callan, Dana Omar, Julie Crylan, Kelly Spohrer, Tom Molloy, Heather Sejnowski, Courtney Mueller, Tom Molloy, and Nick Seiben. BAM! is coached by Jason Geis and their team captain is Christian Burdulis. Barren Mind from Arizona State University
Barren Mind Improv starting performing weekly shows at ASU in the Fall semester of '94. Although short form improv is commonly seen on their stage, the troupe has created its own unique style long form called "Birth the Rock." They have taken this style to many festivals nationally and are excited to perform at the College Comedy Championships. Barren Mind Improv's team members include Kyle Coughlin, Kevin Hortst, Scott C. Meyers, Steve Nielsen, and Brian Rhoads. Their website is www.asucomedy.com The Charles Darwin Experience from University of Arizona
The Charles Darwin Experience is the University of Arizona's only all-improv comedy group performs every Tuesday at 10 p.m. in the Cellar. The Charles Darwin Experience was started in 1998 and has always been a short-form improv group. When Darwin performs they play various improv games and the group always draws a crowd of students who want to giggle. The Charles Darwin Experience wasn't in the festival last year, but they have been in the past, and they're looking forward to a short but sassy set of improv tomorrow. "We just prepared what games we want to play. Comedy Corner put together all the headliners and everything," said Christina Fruciano, a UA alumna and director of The Charles Darwin Experience. Their mission statement: Say funny things and do funny actions in front of a live audience. The Charles Darwin Experience team members include Matt Bowdren, Shannon Corrigan, Alex Garday, Brad Kula, Brian McGrath, Laine Peterson, and Nate Weisband. The Cosby Sweaters from DePaul University
Cosby Sweaters are DePaul's first and only improv troupe. After a 9-month gestation period in 2004, they were born, healthy and happy, in 2005. Now the years fly by like whispers in the wind. Cosby Sweaters team members include Tom Dean, Kim Garvey, Alex Haney, Mike Juen, Brian Lonergan, Michele Mancuso, Pete Parsons, Roxie Tuclar, Tim Walsh, and their team captain is Madeline Wagner. "Daddy Mags", Titanic House Team from Northwestern University
The largest collegiate long form improvisation and sketch organization in the country, The Titanic Players was established at Northwestern University in 1994, Titanic expanded to the University of Wisconsin at Madison in 2007. With 4 improvisation groups at Northwestern and 2 at Madison, they plan to build to 8 groups across both universities by 2009. Under the leadership of their founder, Second City and ImprovOlympic alum Mike Abdelsayed, their long term goal is to spread Titanic sister groups across different universities and to build a strong, direct relationship to their alumni cast members working successfully in the professional comedy industry. Their alumni have continued successful careers at CBS, NBC, The Office, Saturday Night Live, as well as national and international improv theatres as Annoyance Theater, Boom Chicago, ComedySportz, ImprovBoston, ImprovOlympic, The Magnet Theater, The Second City, Theater Sports, and Upright Citizen's Brigade Theater. They are hosts to the Chicago University Improv Festival (CUIF) and have taken a leadership role in organizing all of the college groups across the nation into an online College and University Improv Network (CUIN). This year, representing Titanic in the CIF College Championships is the House Team from Madison, and the House, Main Stage, and Resident Teams from Northwestern. Their website is www.thetitanicplayers.com Daddys Mags team members include Jen D'Angelo, Katherine Docino, Melani Kahl, Dana Kaplan-Angle, and Matt Shore. Their team captain is Dave Collins and their coach is Mike Abdelsayed. Droppin' $cience from Columbia College Chicago
Droppin' $cience is one of the most well respected college groups in the city. Formed in 2004 as part of pH Productions pharm team project. Droppin' $cience has now grown to perform in venues all over the chicago land area and participate in festivals all over the country. The members focus on making connections in their Improv and believe in trying to bring improv comedy to people who wouldn't normally see it. Droppin' $cience team members include Gordy Andina, Aidy Bryant, Ilana Cohn-Gomez, Chris Edwards, Rob Iceland, Rachel LaForce, Amber Lagore, Jon Lannen, Nick Paul, Wes Perry, Michael Schuff, Rico Sinsey, Eric Vogt, and Mary Walsh. The team captain is Christopher Edwards and their coaches are Matt Mages and Micah Phibrook. "Founding Fathers", Titanic House Team from University of Wisconsin @ Madison
The largest collegiate long form improvisation and sketch organization in the country, The Titanic Players was established at Northwestern University in 1994, Titanic expanded to the University of Wisconsin at Madison in 2007. With 4 improvisation groups at Northwestern and 2 at Madison, they plan to build to 8 groups across both universities by 2009. Under the leadership of their founder, Second City and ImprovOlympic alum Mike Abdelsayed, their long term goal is to spread Titanic sister groups across different universities and to build a strong, direct relationship to their alumni cast members working successfully in the professional comedy industry. Their alumni have continued successful careers at CBS, NBC, The Office, Saturday Night Live, as well as national and international improv theatres as Annoyance Theater, Boom Chicago, ComedySportz, ImprovBoston, ImprovOlympic, The Magnet Theater, The Second City, Theater Sports, and Upright Citizen's Brigade Theater. They are hosts to the Chicago University Improv Festival (CUIF) and have taken a leadership role in organizing all of the college groups across the nation into an online College and University Improv Network (CUIN). This year, representing Titanic in the CIF College Championships is the House Team from Madison, and the House, Main Stage, and Resident Teams from Northwestern. Their website is www.thetitanicplayers.com Founding Fathers team members include Leah Cowen, Jason Forbes, Sarah Lyonds, Josh Moss, Julie Pearson, Jon Qulke, Jon Ross, Sherri Schmidt, Anna Slate, and Ben Willis. Their team captain is Aaron Andrzejak and their coach is Mike Abdelsayed. The Improv Mafia from Illinois State University
The Improv Mafia was created in 1998 by Mikel Matthews, and has since established themselves as a comedy powerhouse in Central Illinois. In the heart of Illinois State's campus in Normal, IL, they provide free improv shows every Tuesday night. The group has evolved over the years from performing mainly short form games to providing a unique hybrid of short form, long form, and other experimental forms in their weekly one hour shows. Aside from their Tuesday shows, they have expanded their outreach by performing for conferences, fundraisers, elementary schools, and Illinois High School Theatre Festival where they also conducted several workshops. The Improv Mafia team members include Chris Bogue, Keith Habersberger, Megan Miller, Mike "Commodore" Norris, and Lisa "Cloud" Ridarelli. Their team captain is Matthew "Tinz" Herzau. "Matador Now", Titanic Main Stage Team from Northwestern University
The largest collegiate long form improvisation and sketch organization in the country, The Titanic Players was established at Northwestern University in 1994, Titanic expanded to the University of Wisconsin at Madison in 2007. With 4 improvisation groups at Northwestern and 2 at Madison, they plan to build to 8 groups across both universities by 2009. Under the leadership of their founder, Second City and ImprovOlympic alum Mike Abdelsayed, their long term goal is to spread Titanic sister groups across different universities and to build a strong, direct relationship to their alumni cast members working successfully in the professional comedy industry. Their alumni have continued successful careers at CBS, NBC, The Office, Saturday Night Live, as well as national and international improv theatres as Annoyance Theater, Boom Chicago, ComedySportz, ImprovBoston, ImprovOlympic, The Magnet Theater, The Second City, Theater Sports, and Upright Citizen's Brigade Theater. They are hosts to the Chicago University Improv Festival (CUIF) and have taken a leadership role in organizing all of the college groups across the nation into an online College and University Improv Network (CUIN). This year, representing Titanic in the CIF College Championships is the House Team from Madison, and the House, Main Stage, and Resident Teams from Northwestern. Their website is www.thetitanicplayers.com Matador Now team members include Erika Rankin, Chris Wade, Julia Wennstrom, and Connor White. Their team captain is Jessica McKenna and their team coach is Mike Abdelsayed. Mock Turtle Soup from Clemson University
Mock Turtle Soup has performed both long form and short form improv to an audience at Clemson University and in the Clemson community since 2002. Mock Turtle Soup team members include Harrison Brookie, Dan Freeman, Jenna Lappi, Brandon Little, Larry Simonson, Jason Underwood, and Tyler Williams. Their team captain is Anthony Goodin. "Old Tom Jar", Titanic Resident Team from Northwestern University
The largest collegiate long form improvisation and sketch organization in the country, The Titanic Players was established at Northwestern University in 1994, Titanic expanded to the University of Wisconsin at Madison in 2007. With 4 improvisation groups at Northwestern and 2 at Madison, they plan to build to 8 groups across both universities by 2009. Under the leadership of their founder, Second City and ImprovOlympic alum Mike Abdelsayed, their long term goal is to spread Titanic sister groups across different universities and to build a strong, direct relationship to their alumni cast members working successfully in the professional comedy industry. Their alumni have continued successful careers at CBS, NBC, The Office, Saturday Night Live, as well as national and international improv theatres as Annoyance Theater, Boom Chicago, ComedySportz, ImprovBoston, ImprovOlympic, The Magnet Theater, The Second City, Theater Sports, and Upright Citizen's Brigade Theater. They are hosts to the Chicago University Improv Festival (CUIF) and have taken a leadership role in organizing all of the college groups across the nation into an online College and University Improv Network (CUIN). This year, representing Titanic in the CIF College Championships is the House Team from Madison, and the House, Main Stage, and Resident Teams from Northwestern. Their website is www.thetitanicplayers.com Old Tom Jar team members include Dan Foster, Britney Lower, and Katherine Palardy. Their team captain is Dan Foster and their coach is Mike Abdelsayed. On The Fly Improv from University of Dayton
The University of Dayton's Improv Troupe, On The Fly Improv was created in the fall of 2006. The name of the group comes from the university nickname, the 'Dayton Flyers.' Along with performing around the city of Dayton, in their first year they performed at universities such as Miami (OH) and Ohio State, performing alongside teams from across Ohio. On The Fly has been featured in the City of Dayton newspaper "The Dayton Daily News" and earned a 3rd place ranking in the Ohio Improv Championships at Ohio State University. On The Fly Improv team members include Kevin Branick, Brittany Demmitt, Pete Drouhard, Ryan Fennessy, Kelly Fine, Walker Foley, Mike Kauffman, and Matt Magner Off-Off Campus from The University of Chicago
Off-Off Campus is the second oldest continuously running student improvisational theater troupe in the country with the first generation dating back to 1986. The alert, historically-minded reader might notice that improv at The University of Chicago is older still. The University of Chicago is the undisputed birthplace of improvisational and sketch comedy. In the 1950's, a group of University Chicago students formed the Compass Players on campus, and in 1959, the group became The Second City. In 1986, U of C alum and Second City con-founder Bernie Sahlins (A.B. '43) returned to the University campus in order to begin a south side group to rival his north side creation. Sahlins trained the first Generation of Off-Off Campus in the art of sketch and improv comedy, much as he had done 27 years ago when he invented the forms as we know them today in his classroom, and the group has kept to his regiment of training ever since. Since 1986, Off-Off Campus has entertained thousands of Chicagoans with its unmistakable mix of improv, sketch, and musical comedy. Off-Off Campus team members include Katie Bockes, Deena Heller, Lizzie Martinez, Alex Yablon, Bobboy Zachrias, and their team captain is Mitch Salm. Their website is http://off-off.uchicago.edu/index.html Seriously Bent from Suffolk University
Suffolk University's Seriously Bent, representing Boston, Massachusetts, was founded in 2000. Within the last 4 years, Seriously Bent has established itself as a long form improv troupe, without forgetting the benefits of performing short-form. The troupe performs regularly both on and off-campus though out the year. Seriously Bent is the reigning Boston Comedy Festival's College Improv Champions, having won the title of "New England's Funniest College Comedy Troupe" in 2005, 2006 & 2007. They are also the three time undefeated champions of the Improv Asylum's College Smackdown. Seriously Bent team members include Patty Barrett, Jonathan Curtiss, Kelly Dooley, Julia Gustafson, Eric LaPre, Trevor Livingston, Mitch Manning, Nick Mandella, Corey O'Rourke, and Nick Wilson. Their team captain is Mitch Manning and their team coach is Jeremy Brothers. See The College Comedy Championship on OSTN-TV!
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