Improv Ensemble: The Web Series

'Improv Ensemble: The Web Series': Newly admitted improv actors of The Second City Training Center's elite Conservatory program grapple with interpersonal relationships while simultaneously reaching for stardom. www.ImprovEnsemble.com

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Improv Ensemble Episode 1: Guns

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Take a moment out of your day, and get to know Blade Disco.  He's Improv Ensemble's most mysterious member!

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Here it is, the Episode 1 trailer.  We're so excited to share the fist episode of Improv Ensemble.  Enjoy!!!

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Delightful Improv Ensemble cast member, Alex Stuessy, was inspired by legendary comedian, Robin Williams, who made so much stuff up in the classic flick, 'Good Morning, Vietnam.' Alex explains, "Robin Williams improvised all of his broadcasts during the film. His first one was mind-grabbing. He takes on multiple characters and creates a universe from his chair at lighting-fast pace. I was struck by it."

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Improv Ensemble cast member, Lauren Carlstrom, is tickled pink by this deleted scene from 'Waiting for Guffman,' another Christopher Guest improv-breathed film. Lauren explains, "It could be that I personally identify with having an audition as terrible as Parker Posey's character has in this clip (it's true!). However, I'd rather sell you on the rationale Craig Mason offered in February 2013*: It takes a really great actor to look like a bad one." Mason writes, "Written by Posey herself, it’s probably the greatest “bad acting” job in the history of film. I’ve heard it said that it takes a very talented singer to convincingly sing “badly.” I suppose the same goes for acting because Posey’s turn is so incredibly bad that it’s brilliant." *http://www.theatrefolk.com/blog/movie-monologue-monday-parker-posey-in-waiting-for-guffman/#sthash.kudOd8Wa.dpuf

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Whose Line'!  One of our cast member's (Ms. Phoebe Stonebraker's) reason for falling in love with improv.

Phoebe explains, "The show was the first time I had ever seen improv and I was instantly in awe. My sister and I used to spend warm afternoons inside watching and playing along."

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'Improv Ensemble: The Web Series' "I Got In" Promo

How did our twelve aspiring, young improvisers react to news of being accepted into the elite Conservatory program?

Thanks to consummate governmental email surveillance, we found the footage! Subscribe to our YouTube channel and watch their real-time reactions now!

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Introducing the one, the only, Mr. Alex Stuessy. Loveable, brilliant, and wildly entertaining, Alex adds yummyness to a group like frosting does a cupcake.

Follow Alex on Twitter: https://twitter.com/Alex_Stuessy "Alex Stuessy is a Chicago actor, improviser, writer and observer from the non-industrial portion of New Jersey. He graduated from the University of Michigan with a BBA in Marketing and an amount of debt exceeding the recommended serving size. Inspired by four years of performing with “The Comedy Company” during his education where he wrote and directed eight original revues, Alex has since trained at The Second City and the iO Theater. Alex plays throughout the city with independent team Apocalypse Meow. He’d like to play with you, too." Meet the entire gang of Improv Ensemble: http://www.improvensemble.com/cast

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Meet Improv Ensemble cast member Phoebe Stonebraker. The words, "Comic Genius," only begin to describe her. 

Eat delicious morsels of her humorous, thought-provoking personality by following her on Twitter: https://twitter.com/sbraker

"Phoebe Stonebraker is an improviser, dancer, singer, and writer from Chicago, Il. She graduated from Wesleyan University with a BA in Biology and Environmental Studies with a focus in dance. She is now a proud member of Improvised Jane Austen and the independent team Like Like. She currently studies at Second City and iO. Phoebe is so thankful to be apart of this amazing cast and for the incredible support of her family, friends, teachers, and bunny."

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Meet Kayla Rosenberg, the bright, sunshiny co-creator, producer and one of the talented actors of 'Improv Ensemble: The Web Series.'

Kayla succinctly self-diagnoses her creative passions and skills on Twitter: "Stand up laugh maker. Stuff maker upper. Writer. Producer. Another Jew in comedy." Tweet your love to this delightful powerhouse right now! https://twitter.com/kaylabrosenberg

"Kayla Rosenberg has been working in entertainment as a writer/producer as well as an improviser/stand up comedian for over eight years. Originally from Memphis, TN, Kayla moved to Chicago four years ago to pursue a higher education at Columbia College. Part of The Second City Training Center, Comedy Intensive Program, and iO, Kayla's strengths live and die in comedy. She is also a producer and performer in the sketch comedy group, CSTTV TV, and an Emmy nominee for the show The Price of Admission."

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Meet Joe Otto, who makes candy drop like a naughty, naughty piñata. 

Part man, part superhero, Joe spreads immense joy as Trevor, the Utopian Improviser in 'Improv Ensemble: The Web Series.'

He can also do a mean Sean Connery impression, and he laughs at our jokes, so clearly...he has a great sense of humor. 

"Joe Otto is a Chicago-based improviser and writer. He first became interested in performing while he was in high school, and after moving to Minneapolis he studied improv and sketch at the Brave New Workshop Student Union, where he performed in a weekly ensemble show. Now he is a student in the Second City conservatory, and as a proper Minnesotan, he feels uncomfortable talking about himself."

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Meet Leenie O'Connor. A.k.a., Jeanie, the Musical Theatre Overachiever.

She's on Twitter. So follow her to learn and grow and become a more holistic, well-rounded person! https://twitter.com/leenieoconnor

"Leenie O’Connor is a native Chicagoan. At the ripe old age of five, she declared she wanted to be an MGM starlet, the likes of Judy Garland and Ann Miller. Her mother gently directed her toward a much steadier, realistic career path: musical theatre. Leenie earned her BFA in Musical Theatre from Western Illinois University. She moved to NYC, where she sat on the infamous non-union bench at Actors Equity. Improv saved her from creative-disengagement, and from the bathroom at the Times Square McDonald’s. Leenie also enjoys running marathons."

Meet the entire cast of Improv Ensemble: http://www.improvensemble.com/cast

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Meet our most captivating 'Improv Ensemble: The Web Series' cast member, Lisa Mongillo. 

Lisa - and her character, Summer, the Neurotic Flirt - evoke one defining word: Classic. Truly, there's no one else like her. And we're glad she's one of us.

Get extra chuckles by following Lisa on Twitter: https://twitter.com/lisa_mongillo

"Lisa Mongillo is a writer, actor, improviser, and producer from Chicago. She was raised by nice people in Arlington Heights, IL. Lisa's earliest stage experiences included such community theater undertakings as an all-white, all-child production of The Wiz. She followed in the footsteps of her comedic idols Jon Stewart, Patton Oswalt, and President Thomas Jefferson as she earned her bachelor's degree at the College of William & Mary, where she grew as a writer, artist, and unconventional thinker. Lisa has trained at Second City, iO, and the Annoyance Theater. She would be nowhere without the constant support of her legs."

Meet the other eleven cast members: http://www.improvensemble.com/cast

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Meet Sal Mascali - Anton, The Shady Creative - of "Improv Ensemble: The Web Series."

Smart, funny and really-really-good-looking, Sal's been touted as "the Real Deal," "the Whole Package," and "the Full Monty," by hard-to-impress critics of the entertainment world...such as, well, us, for one!

Follow Sal on Twitter! https://twitter.com/SalMascali

"Sal Mascali is a North Carolina native that headed to Chicago for the warm environment. He was lied to. Sal is an actor, improviser, writer, comedian, and musician that can be seen performing live at the iO Theater, the Second City, and Comedy Sportz Chicago. Sal spent years performing all over the world with the hip-hop band The Urban Sophisticates, Who’s Bad: the Ultimate Michael Jackson Tribute Band, and the Broadway bound musical Ella: the Life and Music of Ella Fitzgerald. With his encyclopedic knowledge of classic comedy and film, Sal hopes to one day become Groucho Marx."

Meet all the Cast: http://www.improvensemble.com/cast

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Meet Alex Haney - the genius behind the mysterious Blade Disco in 'Improv Ensemble: The Web Series.'

When Alex isn't making his friends laugh, he's making his enemies cry - from laughing so hard. We're just saying, he's funny!

"Alex Haney received his BA in Communication and Media Studies from DePaul University. A Chicago native, Alex has studied improvisation at iO, Annoyance and The Second City where he has performed in numerous shows. Currently, Alex can be seen improvising with The Lady Screams, his two person team Dimples & Simples (he is Dimples) and sometimes shedding a layer (or two) of clothing during SkinProv at the Annoyance."

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When Kyle Delnegro isn't tweeting as his character, Phil, the Simple Cajun, he's creating comedy or music - making the world a funnier, more enjoyable place. Kyle...he's exactly what our world needs.

Catch up with Kyle on Twitter: https://twitter.com/kyledelnegro

"Kyle Delnegro is an actor, improviser, and singer-songwriter from the South Suburbs of Chicago. Currently, he is a student in the Second City’s Conservatory and working on a teaching degree in English. Kyle began playing music at the age of twelve and writing his own songs by the time he was fifteen. And he got his start in comedy by doing sketch and stand-up while still in high school and carried his work into the city upon the urging of his friends and family. Kyle is extremely excited and proud to be working with the Improv Ensemble team."

Check out all of the Cast of Improv Ensemble: http://www.improvensemble.com/cast

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Tip your hats to Tessa Colbrese - one of the twelve talented Chicago actors and improvisors of 'Improv Ensemble: The Web Series.' 

Tessa is uber smart, hella witty, and has developed a super fun character (Maureen Mahoney - The Controlling Professional) who you can get reasonable, balanced tidbits from on Twitter: https://twitter.com/MaureenyMahoney More on Tessa: "A proud product of the Chicago Public School system, she completed her B.S. in Civil Engineering at the University of Illinois before studying improvisation at the Second City Training Center and the Annoyance Theater. As a child, she studied acting at the Old Town School of Folk Music, and held a variety of supporting roles in grade school and high school theater productions. Her television credits include revealing her 1st grade crush on an episode of the Bonnie Hunt Show." http://www.improvensemble.com/cast