INTERVIEW: Scott Adsit and John Lutz
Hitting Your Mark in Hollywood Thanks to Aren Zolninger from Chicago Improv Productions, I was able to sneak in a few minutes to interview Scott Adsit and John Lutz before they took the stage for their "Super Secret" midnight show at Stage 773. As we were waiting for the show ahead of us to clear out, Scott, John and I stepped into a back hallway with CIP staff and a Read More
Damian is one of the first people I met in the improv community. We met because he worked in the box office on the day I had class and then I ended up working with him. He introduced me to Poor Choices Podcast, GURU, The Upstairs Gallery and dozens of shows that I “needed” to see in Chicago. I owe a lot to Damian, so I was happy to ask him to be my first interviewee.
If you haven’t already tuned in, start now. Mark has interviews with some of the greatest names in comedy in his podcast. Read More
A legend of improvisational theater, Del Close is best known for discovering and cultivating the talents of John Belushi, Chris Farley, Bill Murray, Mike Meyers, and countless other comedy giants. He was resident director of Chicago’s famed Second City and “house metaphysician” for “Saturday Night Live,” a talent in his own right, and one of the brightest and wackiest theater gurus ever. Jeff Griggs was a student of Close’s at the ImprovOlympic in Chicago when he was asked to help the aging mentor (often in ill health) by driving him around the city on his weekly errands. The two developed a volatile friendship that shocked, angered, and amused both of them—and produced this hilarious and ultimately endearing chronicle of Close’s last years. With all the elements of a picaresque novel, Guru captures Close at his zaniest but also shows him in theatrical situations that confirm his genius in conceptualizing and directing improvisational theater.
At the end of June, I ventured off to New York to witness the spectacle that is the Del Close Marathon (DCM). Going into it’s 14th year, this bad boy is the Lollapalooza of improv. It was a bit overwhelming and with stages spread all over the city, made it more difficult to hop from stage to stage as I had hoped. While this event may be the biggest improv fest that exists (at least to my knowledge), it’s not all headliners. Which, with 390 shows over one weekend, it would be hard to find first-class, grade A players on every team, but I guess I just expected to be blown away by everyone. I came away from the DCM with three conclusions: DCM was reassuring, it was inspiring and great improv is born in Chicago. Let me explain.
It only took me 2 months and a dozen or so emails, but I finally snagged an internship at iO. I’ll be working the box on Wednesday nights, getting to hand out the 100 sold out tickets to TJ and Dave every night and meeting some of the most talented improvisers in the country.
Honestly, it’s such an honor to intern here. Getting an inside peak as to how such an incredible and influential establishment functions and operates is really inspirational. Learning about all of the history and talent that has come through iO, whether it be studying or performing or both, it’s so exciting. I’m just looking forward to spending more time at this new home and learning as much as I can from all of the talent that floods these stages!
