Leenie O'Connor

Making shit up since 1984.

[leenonmecomedy]

This is what happens when Erin and I get drunk.

[thepicketlinecomedy]

The Mega Huge Football Game Ad

[thepicketlinecomedy]

7 Things to Do While Your Friends are Hitting Life Milestones

For improvisers in Chicago, it’s easy to feel like you’re getting left in the dust in terms of hitting the normal milestones on the road of life.

Without the nightly commitments of performing in shows, watching shows, downing...

[improvensemble-blog]

Improv Ensemble Episode 1: Guns

[improvensemble-blog]

Episode One: Guns

[leenonmecomedy]

Beverly Hindz reveals that she has never shot a gun. The rest of the group takes it upon themselves to remedy that. Rachael Mason: https://twitter.com/MissMa…

[improvensemble-blog]

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

[leenonmecomedy]

The Episode 1 trailer for "Improv Ensemble: The Web Series". Enjoy!

[improvensemble-blog]

It's Jeanie Katz - The Musical Theatre Overachiever!

‘Improv Ensemble: The Web Series’: Newly admitted improv actors of The Second City Training Center’s…

Watch out Broadway - and, itty bitty improv dives of Chicago!  It’s Jeanie Katz - Improv Ensemble’s Musical Theatre Overachiever!

“Jeanie Katz was born and raised in Sunnyside, NY. Her Broadway credits include Les Miserables (Yong Cosette), and The Secret Garden (Mary Standby). Jeanie graduated from Tisch, and took her career in a different direction, far from the clutches of her Stage Mom. Jeanie prefers to be the first to volunteer for a scene.”

Get a jolt of Jeanie on Tumblr (www.improvensemble.tumblr.com) and Twitter (www.twitter.com/JeanieKatzzz).  Yes, that’s 3 “z”s in her handle.

Check out all Improv Ensemble: The Web Series’ starlets at www.ImprovEnsemble.com.

[leenonmecomedy]

One of my neighbors plays the trumpet. Now that it's nice enough to keep the windows open, I've heard him practicing. His bread and butter seems to be Gershwin and Porter. I'm a huge fan. I found this on the youtube during a geek session today. They just don't make movies or ballets like this anymore. So beautiful!

[leenonmecomedy]

Last night's episode of Grimm featured a vessen who turns people into zombies. I've never understood the fear of a zombie apocalypse. Zombies will probably never happen, but I'll entertain the thought for a quick blog. Item #1 I will outrun the outbreak. I am a marathon runner. I run fast for a long time, for fun. If I were running for my life, I could go much faster and way longer. No doubt. Item #2 If you cant beat 'em, join 'em. Zombiehood might not be so bad after all. My wants and needs as a human being are highly complicated. Brains would be my one and only want as a zombie. Sounds pretty great.

[leenonmecomedy]

I've decided to start rating guys in "guy years". It's like dog years but backwards. The math is still a work in progress. I'll probably take a guy's age, and subtract 14-21 years to calculate their expected maturity level. That way, I won't have to be surprised when they act like children. Guy years. It's a thing now.

[leenonmecomedy]

That which is not yet known comes out of that which is not yet here.

Viola Spolin

[leenonmecomedy]

Baby, You're a Wizard

This week, I was accepted to Level 3 Conservatory at Second City! The last time I was this nervous about an audition, I was but a green musical theatre student. At this point in my career, I've survived many a cut and many a failure. Just when I thought I was used to "audition pressure", life proved me wrong. Following your foot is an unpredictable business. No matter how good you are or how much experience you have, you can never tell what might happen. That's what makes improv so fun and so terrifying. My scene on Friday was rough, and we had to wait until Sunday to hear the verdict. While I was sweating it out this weekend, my sister had some choice words. I told her, "I feel like Harry Potter waiting for my Hogwart's letter". She replied, "I doesn't matter if you get a Hogwarts letter or not, you already know you're a wizard." That's one of the nicest things anyone has ever said to me.

[leenonmecomedy]

It’s been less than 24 hours since the bombings at the Boston Marathon. I didn’t know how to feel until I laced up my shoes this morning. I started crying on the lakefront about 2 miles into my run. We can’t let the maniac(s) who did this win. Running has never been more important than it is now. Get out there. If I’ve said it once, I’ve said it a million times; “If you want to regain your belief in humanity, stand at the finish line of a marathon”. I still believe that. God bless marathon spectators, and volunteers. You are a vital part of the race. Congratulations to Rita Jeptoo and Lelisa Desisa, the finishers, and the runners who were robbed of their big moment. I wish it had been you on the front pages this morning.

[leenonmecomedy]

Movie Idea Sister Act 3: Sister in the Sistine Sr. Mary Clarence is locked in the Sistine Chapel during the 2013 Papal Conclave. She teaches the College of Cardinals to sing. Spoiler alert: This wacky "College turned Choir" elects none-other than Delores Cartier to lead the Roman Catholic Church.

[leenonmecomedy]

"I must study politics and war that my sons may have liberty to study mathematics and philosophy. My sons ought to study mathematics and philosophy, geography, natural history and naval architecture, navigation, commerce and agriculture, in order to give their children a right to study painting, poetry, music, architecture, statuary, tapestry, and porcelain."

John Adams

[leenonmecomedy]

"The first generation works their fingers to the bone. Second generation goes to college and innovates new ideas. The third generation goes snowboarding and takes improv classes."

Jack Donaghy, 30 Rock