The 5th Annual Fracas! Improv Festival

The 5th Annual Fracas! Improv Festival will take place April 17-19th, 2008.

Performances»
Panels»

Performances

Thursday, April 17 - At the Fracas! Tent in McCarthy Quad
MRS Degree (USC - Los Angeles, CA) - 6:00-6:40pm
Foosh (UCSD - San Diego, CA) - 6:40-7:20pm
Knights of Comedy (Chapman University - Irvine, CA) - 7:40-8:20pm
The 8th Floor Improv (Ohio State - Columbus, OH) - 8:20-9:00pm
Improvability (UCSB - Santa Barbara, CA) - 9:20-10:00pm
Occam's Razor (University of Chicago - Chicago, IL) - 10:00-10:40pm
Open Improv Jam! - 11pm-midnight

Friday, April 18 - At the Ground Zero Performance Cafe
Vertigo-go (Swarthmore College - Swarthmore, PA) - 6:00-6:40pm
Comedy Corner (University of Arizona - Tucson, AZ) - 6:40-7:20pm
Smile and Nod (Cal Poly SLO - San Luis Obispo, CA) - 7:40-8:20pm
jericho! (UC Berkeley - Berkeley, CA) - 8:20-9:00pm
The Noise Next Door (University of Kent - London, U.K.) - 9:20-10:00pm
Commedus Interruptus (USC - Los Angeles, CA) - 10:00-10:40pm
Open Improv Jam! - 11pm-midnight

Saturday, April 19 - At the Ground Zero Performance Cafe
Vidushak (USC - Los Angeles, CA) - 6:00-6:40pm
Barren Mind (ASU - Tempe, AZ) - 6:40-7:20pm
Buttprov (UCSC - Santa Cruz, CA) - 7:40-8:20pm
The Charles Darwin Experience (University of Arizona - Tucson, AZ) - 8:20-9:00pm
Birdstrike Theatre (UC Davis - Davis, CA) - 9:20-10:00pm
Second Nature (USC - Los Angeles, CA) - 10:00-10:40pm
Open Improv Jam! - 11pm-midnight

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Panels

Women in Improv
Friday, April 18 - 11am-12pm - Ground Zero Performance Cafe

With: Heather Anne Campbell (Boom Chicago, The Armando), Natasha Leggero (Reno 911!), Jessica Makinson (Halfway Home, Trigger Happy TV).

Forming and Sustaining a Cohesive Group
Friday, April 18 - 12:30pm-1:30pm - Ground Zero Performance Cafe

With: Alex Berg, Todd Fasen, and Alex Fernie of Convoy, and Sean Conroy and Billy Merritt of The SWARM.

Improv in the Entertainment Industry
Saturday, April 19 - 1pm - 2pm - Ground Zero Performance Cafe

With: Tim Bagley (The Groundlings, Monk, Walk Hard), Brian Huskey (Free Radio, Late Night with Conan O'Brien, Superbad), Kaitlin Olson (It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, The Riches).

Creating an Original Improvised Show
Saturday, April 19 - 2:30pm-3:30pm - Ground Zero Performance Cafe

With: Chad Carter (Creature Comforts, Human Giant) of the UCB's MySpace Show, Ed Helms (The Daily Show, The Office), and Seth Morris (Curb Your Enthusiasm, The Marijuanalogues) of Seth and Ed's Puppet Talk Show.

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Professional Workshops

Improvised Plays - with Billy Merritt
Friday, April 18 - 2pm-3:50pm

Adding Information and Heightening - with Jim Woods
Friday, April 18 - 2pm-3:50pm

Finding the Game - with Sean Conroy
Friday, April 18 - 2pm-3:50pm

Introduction to Game - with Drew DiFonzo Marks
Friday, April 18 - 4pm-5:50pm

Adding Information and Heightening - with Jim Woods
Friday, April 18 - 4pm-5:50pm

Shakespearean Improv - with Matt Gourley
Friday, April 18 - 4pm-5:50pm

Improv for Film, TV, and Commercials - with Brian Palermo
Saturday, April 19 - 9am-10:50am

Theatre & TV Genres - with Andy Goldblatt
Saturday, April 19 - 9am-10:50am

Playing it Real / Playing with Integrity - with Will McGlaughlin
Saturday, April 19 - 11am-12:50pm

Group Support and Ensemble Building - with Drew DiFonzo Marks
Saturday, April 19 - 11am-12:50pm

Workshop Subject TBA - with Lloyd Ahlquist
Saturday, April 19 - 11am-12:50pm

Scenes from Monologues - with Chad Carter
Saturday, April 19 - 4pm-5:50pm

Character - with Drew Droege
Saturday, April 19 - 4pm-5:50pm

Workshop Subject TBA - with Instructor TBA
Saturday, April 19 - 11am-12:50pm

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MRS Degree

University of Southern California - Los Angeles, CA

MRS Degree Improv, USC's only all-female improv troupe, has been bringing laughter and joy to all who will listen since 2005. a member org of USC's Women's Student Assembly, the lovely ladies of MRS are paving the way for women in comedy one tasteful dick joke at a time.

performing 6pm-6:40pm Thursday, April 17th at the Fracas! Tent in McCarthy Quad

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Foosh

UCSD - San Diego, CA

Founded in 2002, FOOSH is the best (and only) improv troupe at UCSD. FOOSH's interests include, but are not limited to "science, cupcakes, world peace, ancient history, sharks, and explosions. FOOSH thanks you for your support and is totally down if you want to hang out sometime.

performing 6:40-7:20pm Thursday, April 17th at the Fracas! Tent in McCarthy Quad

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The Knights of Comedy

Chapman University - Irvine, CA

We have been performing on campus for 4 years and have really made a name for ourselves on campus. WE are now performing off campus and are trying to learn improv from new groups.

performing 7:40-8:20pm Thursday, April 17th at the Fracas! Tent in McCarthy Quad

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The 8th Floor Improv

Ohio State University - Columbus, OH

8th Floor Improv is in its 5th year of activity. The group started as a short form group and has since expanded to long form. One of the most active groups at OSU, the 8th floor has performed for a wide range of audiences from students on campus to professionals at corporate events. 8th Floor is home to 11 performers/students, and its alumni range from Chicago to New York performing comedy.

performing 8:20-9:00pm Thursday, April 17th at the Fracas! Tent in McCarthy Quad

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Improvability

UC Santa Barbara - Santa Barbara, CA

Every Friday, a little theater fills with humans and hilarity while lacking hubris. Mainly short form but incorporating long form as well, Improvability deserves world peace.

performing 9:20-10:00pm Thursday, April 17th at the Fracas! Tent in McCarthy Quad

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Occam's Razor

University of Chicago - Chicago, IL

Occam's Razor is an independent improv comedy troupe founded in 1999 by two University of Chicago undergraduate students. We're named after and inspired by a principle of 14th century English mathematician Sir William Occam. Paraphrased: "Among multiple explanations for the same phenomena, the simplest is the best." In other words, "keep it simple, fresh, and funny." During the school year, we perform shows at the University of Chicago outside of the University's theater institutions. We are currently expanding our horizons with experimental games, but have also put on shows including long-form, the Harold, improvised musicals, stand-up comedy, dance routines, and sketch.

performing 10:00-10:40pm Thursday, April 17th at the Fracas! Tent in McCarthy Quad

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Vertigo-go

Swarthmore College - Swarthmore, PA

Vertigo-go is an improv force from Swarthmore college in Swarthmore (Borough of) PA. The troupe is many suns and has whoa. Often journalists misconstrue the nature of noble gases, suspended underneath the gigantic molten pit fall of joy that VGG gave into the (CANT READ). Fun can exist. VGG was raised by wolves. We are 52'2" from end to end, like long walks, pina coladas, and getting caught in the rain.

performing 6pm-6:40pm Friday, April 18th at the Ground Zero Performance Cafe

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Comedy Corner

University of Arizona - Tucson, AZ

Comedy Corner is the nation's longest running sketch and improv comedy troupe and has been performing in the U of A's student union cellar since 1979 Fridays at noon. They perform original written material every week and do short form improvisation.

performing 6:40-7:20pm Friday, April 18th at the Ground Zero Performance Cafe

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Smile and Nod

Cal Poly SLO - San Luis Obispo, CA

Smile and Nod has been to the first three Fracas! We perform short and long form improv, and perform two shows every saturday during the school year. This year we are celebrating 10 years!

performing 7:40-8:20pm Friday, April 18th at the Ground Zero Performance Cafe

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jericho!

UC Berkeley - Berkeley, CA

jericho! Improv is a long form improv, sketch comedy, and guerrilla theater group from UC Berkeley. Since its conception in the long summer of 2005, jericho! has become responsible for everything good and holy in the world, jericho! regularly performs on the UC Berkeley campus and around the San Fransisco Bay Area.

performing 8:20-9:00pm Friday, April 18th at the Ground Zero Performance Cafe

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The Noise Next Door

University of Kent - London, U.K.

With their perfect blend of ludicrous characters, barbed one liners, epic stories and musical extravagance this team of five slightly posh English blokes will have you in stitches with their fresh brand of off the cuff humour. Pioneering experimental improv in the U.K for 3 three years ‘The Noise Next Door’ are “destined for big, big, things.” Monkey Business Comedy Club – London.

performing 9:20-10:00pm Friday, April 18th at the Ground Zero Performance Cafe

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Commedus Interruptus

University of Southern California - Los Angeles, CA

Commedus Interruptus has been performing improv and sketch comedy on USC's campus since 1990. So, sit back and laugh.

performing 10:00-10:40pm Friday, April 18th at the Ground Zero Performance Cafe

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Vidushak

University of Southern California - Los Angeles, CA

USC's all Indian improv troupe!!

performing 6pm-6:40pm Saturday, April 19th at the Ground Zero Performance Cafe

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Barren Mind

Arizona State University - Tempe, AZ

Barren Mind Improv was created at ASU over 20 years ago and has visited dozens of improv festivals across the nation since. BMI is excited to make their second appearance here at Fracas! and looks forward to seeing some great comedy.

performing 6:40-7:20pm Saturday, April 19th at the Ground Zero Performance Cafe

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Buttprov

UC Santa Cruz - Santa Cruz, CA

Humor Force V and Someone Always Dies are two of UC Santa Cruz's most prominent improv teams. They are excited to perform their sows in a barn theatre for the campus community and are excited to be joining forces for Fracas! V

performing 7:40-8:20pm Saturday, April 19th at the Ground Zero Performance Cafe

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The Charles Darwin Experience

University of Arizona - Tucson, AZ

CDE is the University of Arizona's first and only all improv comedy troupe. Every Tuesday night faithful audiences come to witness an hour of free, mind-bending, laugh-inducing, life-changing, improv comedy based entirely on audience suggestions.

performing 8:20-9:00pm Saturday, April 19th at the Ground Zero Performance Cafe

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Birdstrike Theatre

UC Davis - Davis, CA

Birdstrike Theatre is a sketch and long form improv troupe that reigns from UC Davis. Their style is of ruthless social satire with a side of silliness, pointing out the absurdity of the 'real'. They put on a bi-weekly improv showcase in addition to three major revues a year. This is their second Fracas!, and they are stoked to be here!

performing 9:20-10:00pm Saturday, April 19th at the Ground Zero Performance Cafe

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Second Nature

University of Southern California - Los Angeles, CA

Second Nature is the premiere long form improv comedy troupe at the University of Southern California. We perform free, high quality, improv shows every Friday night at the Ground Zero Performance Cafe. We also run Fracas! one of the largest and most respected collegiate improv festivals in the country.

performing 10:00-10:40pm Saturday, April 19th at the Ground Zero Performance Cafe

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Improv Jam

The Improv Jam is a chance for everyone at Fracas! to play together. Anyone from any troupe can perform - brave audience members to! The jam will consist of 3-4 sessions, each with approximately 10 people. The Improv Jam will be hosted by Second Nature.

performing 11pm-midnight every night of Fracas!

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Heather Anne Campbell

Heather Anne Campbell began improvising at Improv Olympic, in Chicago, at the age of 15. A student of Del Close, she completed her work in the Windy City as the youngest member of Close's final production, Spoo, which toured to the Austin Comedy Festival. A four-year member of Northwestern University's The Mee-Ow Show, she was hired by Boom Chicago in Amsterdam and spent three years abroad until moving to Los Angeles in 2005. Soon after, Heather was selected for The Groundlings Sunday Company, while simultaneously performing at UCB (Last Day of School), IOWest (The Armando), and Ultimate Improv. Heather has appeared as a guest performer on MADtv, in ImprovEverywhere's "Food Court Musical", and with Tim Meadows in Heather, Miles, and Tim.

Currently, she performs at IOWest and UCB, in The Armando, Roberto Alomar, Last Day of School, and Heather and Miles. Additionally, she is the Senior Editor at Play Magazine and Geek Monthly, where she flaunts her knowledge of video games, anime, and tech gadgetry.

scheduled to appear in the Women in Improv panel, Friday April 18th from 11am-12pm at the Ground Zero Performance Cafe

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Natasha Leggero

Natasha Leggero is originally from Rockford, IL, but has traveled the world enough to mask this unfortunate fact. After graduating from Hunter College in New York City and studying at the Stella Adler Conservatory, she moved to Los Angeles and started doing stand-up comedy. For the past three years, Natasha has performed stand-up all over Los Angeles and New York. Her performances include appearances on "The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson," Comedy Central's "Premium Blend," and "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno."

Natasha has starred in pilots for NBC 2007's "Comedy Colosseum," Comedy Central's 2006's "Gay Robot," and Oxygen's 2005's "Nothing Up Our Skirts" and was the star of MTV's hit new series "The 70's House." She was also seen playing "Rita the Drunk" in "Joe Schmo 2" and various deviants in her three-year recurring stint on Comedy Central's "Reno 911."

scheduled to appear in the Women in Improv panel, Friday April 18th from 11am-12pm at the Ground Zero Performance Cafe

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Improvability

UC Santa Barbara - Santa Barbara, CA

Jessica was born in Tempe, Arizona. She was an only child who loved waterskiing and pretending. She graduated from Arizona State University with a B.A. in theatre. Although studying sounded fantastic, A.S.U. is where she began doing sketch and improv. Soon after graduating, Jessica moved to Los Angeles where she studied at Improv Olympic, going on to become a stand-out performer in groups like Brand X, King Ten, and Squadron.

A go-to girl for Comedy Central star producer/showrunners, Trey Parker and Matt Stone, Jessica guest starred on their political sitcom send-up "That's My Bush" and has contributed voices to their infamous animation "South Park." She has also contributed sketches and characters to ABC's "Jimmy Kimmel Live," CBS' "Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson" and Showtime's "The Underground."

In 2003, she starred in a season of Comedy Central's improv/hidden camera series "Trigger Happy TV," before landing the role of Eleanor (the weeper) on Spike TV's 2004 reality parody "Joe Schmo 2." The following year, she starred in two pilots "The Hollywood Show" for Comedy Central (playing a mock reporter) and "The Sportsmen's News" for the Outdoor Channel (playing a mock news co-anchor). Jessica was one of the stars of the Comedy Central series "Halfway Home" in the role of Carly Barzak. She was proud to be playing the first female comedy drug mule on television.

scheduled to appear in the Women in Improv panel, Friday April 18th from 11am-12pm at the Ground Zero Performance Cafe

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Convoy

Alex Berg, Todd Fasen, Alex Fernie

Convoy is Alex Fernie, Alex Berg and Todd Fasen. Having performed together since attending Vassar College, Convoy came together in it's current, three-person form in 2005. The members of Convoy have studied improv at IO West and the Upright Citizens Brigade theater, where they now perform. The three can currently be seen as Convoy (which holds the record for most Improv Cagematch wins at UCB) as well as members of the house harold team Sentimental Lady and the sketch group Thirty:30. Members of Convoy have appeared on Jimmy Kimmel Live and in the upcoming Eddie Murphy movie where Eddie Murphy plays a spaceship. They are currently working on an improvised pilot for television.

scheduled to appear in the Forming and Sustaining a Cohesive Group panel, Friday April 18th from 12:30pm - 1:30pm at the Ground Zero Performance Cafe

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Sean Conroy

Sean Conroy is a founding member of The Swarm. He currently performs in ASSSSCAT at the Upright Citizens Brigade Theater. AS a stand-up, he has been on the Television. Learn more about him at his very occasionally updated website, WWW.SEANCONROY.COM.

scheduled to appear in the Forming and Sustaining a Cohesive Group panel, Friday April 18th from 12:30pm - 1:30pm at the Ground Zero Performance Cafe

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Billy Merritt

bio coming soon

scheduled to appear in the Forming and Sustaining a Cohesive Group panel, Friday April 18th from 12:30pm - 1:30pm at the Ground Zero Performance Cafe

Close

Brian Huskey

bio coming soon

scheduled to appear in the Improv in the Entertainment Industry panel, Saturday April 19th from 1pm - 2pm at the Ground Zero Performance Cafe

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Tim Bagley

bio coming soon

scheduled to appear in the Improv in the Entertainment Industry panel, Saturday April 19th from 1pm - 2pm at the Ground Zero Performance Cafe

Close

Kaitlin Olson

bio coming soon

scheduled to appear in the Improv in the Entertainment Industry panel, Saturday April 19th from 1pm - 2pm at the Ground Zero Performance Cafe

Close

Chad Carter

bio coming soon

scheduled to appear in the Creating an Original Improvised Show panel, Saturday April 19th from 2:30pm - 3:30pm at the Ground Zero Performance Cafe

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Ed Helms

bio coming soon

scheduled to appear in the Creating an Original Improvised Show panel, Saturday April 19th from 2:30pm - 3:30pm at the Ground Zero Performance Cafe

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Seth Morris

bio coming soon

scheduled to appear in the Creating an Original Improvised Show panel, Saturday April 19th from 2:30pm - 3:30pm at the Ground Zero Performance Cafe

Close