T h e C A S T !
JOEY BLAND
Originally from Richmond, Virginia, Joey has performed in Chicago for the last 12 years. With the Second City, Joey starred in the title role of the original musical, Rod Blagojevich, Superstar, and he recently performed in the Jeff Award–winning revue Second City’s Guide to the Opera at Chicago’s Lyric Opera. He regularly performs with the musical improvisational troupes Baby Wants Candy and the Improvised Sondheim Project, as well as with the Improvised Shakespeare Company. In 2005, Joey was a two-time champion on Jeopardy.
Originally from Richmond, Virginia, Joey has performed in Chicago for the last 12 years. With the Second City, Joey starred in the title role of the original musical, Rod Blagojevich, Superstar, and he recently performed in the Jeff Award–winning revue Second City’s Guide to the Opera at Chicago’s Lyric Opera. He regularly performs with the musical improvisational troupes Baby Wants Candy and the Improvised Sondheim Project, as well as with the Improvised Shakespeare Company. In 2005, Joey was a two-time champion on Jeopardy.
KATE COHEN
Kate Cohen has been improvising in Chicago since 2004 and performs regularly with ComedySportz Chicago, the Improvised Sondheim Project and Laugh Out Loud Theater. She has performed improv and sketch comedy with the Second City aboard Norwegian Cruise Lines. In 2012 Kate performed off Broadway with the improvised musical One Night Only. She has performed with the Chicago Sketch Comedy Festival, ImprovAcadia in Maine, and competed in Haterade, iO Chicago's improvised rap battle. Kate has a B.A. in Theatre from the University of Arizona and is a faculty member at the Second City Training Center's Improvisation Program and Musical Improv Conservatory.
Kate Cohen has been improvising in Chicago since 2004 and performs regularly with ComedySportz Chicago, the Improvised Sondheim Project and Laugh Out Loud Theater. She has performed improv and sketch comedy with the Second City aboard Norwegian Cruise Lines. In 2012 Kate performed off Broadway with the improvised musical One Night Only. She has performed with the Chicago Sketch Comedy Festival, ImprovAcadia in Maine, and competed in Haterade, iO Chicago's improvised rap battle. Kate has a B.A. in Theatre from the University of Arizona and is a faculty member at the Second City Training Center's Improvisation Program and Musical Improv Conservatory.
MATTHEW VAN COLTON
Matthew is a Chicago-based performer, teacher and director. He has worked with Chicago Dramatists, Northlight, Annoyance, Playground, Victory Gardens, iO, Royal George and TUTA theatres among others. He is a faculty member at the Second City Training Center, where he teaches and directs in the music conservatory; he has also recently taught or coached for Evanston Township High School, Acting Studio Chicago, Happy Karaoke Fun Time and Clown Car to Sicily. Most recently, he directed for Citizen’s Relief Theatre Company and for Vampeero Productions. He is a veteran of the Second City Music Improv House Ensemble. Matt is currently performing with Mansical (www.mansical.net), of which he is a founder. He is a member of Actor’s Equity.
Matthew is a Chicago-based performer, teacher and director. He has worked with Chicago Dramatists, Northlight, Annoyance, Playground, Victory Gardens, iO, Royal George and TUTA theatres among others. He is a faculty member at the Second City Training Center, where he teaches and directs in the music conservatory; he has also recently taught or coached for Evanston Township High School, Acting Studio Chicago, Happy Karaoke Fun Time and Clown Car to Sicily. Most recently, he directed for Citizen’s Relief Theatre Company and for Vampeero Productions. He is a veteran of the Second City Music Improv House Ensemble. Matt is currently performing with Mansical (www.mansical.net), of which he is a founder. He is a member of Actor’s Equity.
BRANDON DAHLQUIST
At Porchlight Music Theatre Brandon has appeared as Georges Seurat in Sunday in the Park with George, Leon Czolgosz in Assassins and Warren G. Harding inThe Teapot Scandals. Other favorite theatre credits include 12 Angry Men (Maltz Jupiter), Oh, Coward (Writers), Cabaret (Drury Lane), Knute Rockne: All American (TATC-Jeff Nomination), A Funny Thing…Forum (Noble Fool) and Grand Hotel (Drury Lane Watertower).
At Porchlight Music Theatre Brandon has appeared as Georges Seurat in Sunday in the Park with George, Leon Czolgosz in Assassins and Warren G. Harding inThe Teapot Scandals. Other favorite theatre credits include 12 Angry Men (Maltz Jupiter), Oh, Coward (Writers), Cabaret (Drury Lane), Knute Rockne: All American (TATC-Jeff Nomination), A Funny Thing…Forum (Noble Fool) and Grand Hotel (Drury Lane Watertower).
CODY DOVE
Cody Dove has been performing since the age of nine when he began his professional career as a birthday party magician. Since those early living room tours, he has gone on to become an alumnus of The Second City (everything from performing and writing to teaching and producing), an Emmy award winner (his interstitial promotional work was awarded the honor), and a cruise director (he did it only for the interesting bio credit). He has worked with such heroes of improvisation as Fred Willard, Colin Mochrie, and UCB’s Asscat!
Cody Dove has been performing since the age of nine when he began his professional career as a birthday party magician. Since those early living room tours, he has gone on to become an alumnus of The Second City (everything from performing and writing to teaching and producing), an Emmy award winner (his interstitial promotional work was awarded the honor), and a cruise director (he did it only for the interesting bio credit). He has worked with such heroes of improvisation as Fred Willard, Colin Mochrie, and UCB’s Asscat!
BRENDAN DOWLING
Brendan Dowling is a Massachusetts native and a graduate of the College of William and Mary. He is a member of the Improvised Shakespeare Company and Baby Wants Candy, and also toured with the Second City's National Touring Company.
Brendan Dowling is a Massachusetts native and a graduate of the College of William and Mary. He is a member of the Improvised Shakespeare Company and Baby Wants Candy, and also toured with the Second City's National Touring Company.
LAUREN DOWDEN
Lauren co-wrote and performed Broads on Boards – The Annoyance Theater. The Second City: The History of Chicago–UP Theater, Chicago, It Takes a ‘Ville! - Actor’s Theatre, Louisville, KY, Rod Blagojevich Superstar - Lisa Madigan, Second City Does Arizona – Arizona Theatre Company, Reverie - Montreal Just For Laughs, The Not Ready For $3.99 Prime Rib Players - Las Vegas, No Shirt, No Shoes, No Weapons of Mass Destruction and Who’s Yer Baghdadi – Cleveland. Regional Theater: Crimes of the Heart , The Miracle Worker Other: Boom Chicago, Amsterdam: Rockstars and Europe: We’ve Created a Monster - Edinburgh Fringe Festival, and Baby Wants Candy.
Lauren co-wrote and performed Broads on Boards – The Annoyance Theater. The Second City: The History of Chicago–UP Theater, Chicago, It Takes a ‘Ville! - Actor’s Theatre, Louisville, KY, Rod Blagojevich Superstar - Lisa Madigan, Second City Does Arizona – Arizona Theatre Company, Reverie - Montreal Just For Laughs, The Not Ready For $3.99 Prime Rib Players - Las Vegas, No Shirt, No Shoes, No Weapons of Mass Destruction and Who’s Yer Baghdadi – Cleveland. Regional Theater: Crimes of the Heart , The Miracle Worker Other: Boom Chicago, Amsterdam: Rockstars and Europe: We’ve Created a Monster - Edinburgh Fringe Festival, and Baby Wants Candy.
ERICA ELAM
Erica lives in Los Angeles where she performs at iO West and the Upright Citizens Brigade. She’s traveled the world with the Second City on Norwegian Cruise Lines and has also performed at Tony Award-winning theaters such as the Goodman, Steppenwolf, Chicago Shakespeare and Victory Gardens. Erica is a company member with the critically-acclaimed musical improv group Baby Wants Candy, as well as Dinner with the Elams, The Best Church of God, and HOME: An Improvised Play. Erica was named one of the “Top 5 Actors to Watch” by the Chicago Tribune and is a graduate of The University of Georgia, The Second City Conservatory, and The School at Steppenwolf.
Erica lives in Los Angeles where she performs at iO West and the Upright Citizens Brigade. She’s traveled the world with the Second City on Norwegian Cruise Lines and has also performed at Tony Award-winning theaters such as the Goodman, Steppenwolf, Chicago Shakespeare and Victory Gardens. Erica is a company member with the critically-acclaimed musical improv group Baby Wants Candy, as well as Dinner with the Elams, The Best Church of God, and HOME: An Improvised Play. Erica was named one of the “Top 5 Actors to Watch” by the Chicago Tribune and is a graduate of The University of Georgia, The Second City Conservatory, and The School at Steppenwolf.
REBECCA HANSON
Rebecca is a proud alum of the Second City National Touring Company and performer for the Second City on the beautiful NCL Norwegian Jade. She has had the pleasure of performing for and teaching all ages throughout Chicago and these great United States as well as Europe and the Mediterranean via the Second City. She has participated in various improv festivals around the country. In her years of being a Chicagoan, Rebecca has performed with the Second City, ComedySportz Chicago, iO, the Playground and the Neutrino Project.
Rebecca is a proud alum of the Second City National Touring Company and performer for the Second City on the beautiful NCL Norwegian Jade. She has had the pleasure of performing for and teaching all ages throughout Chicago and these great United States as well as Europe and the Mediterranean via the Second City. She has participated in various improv festivals around the country. In her years of being a Chicagoan, Rebecca has performed with the Second City, ComedySportz Chicago, iO, the Playground and the Neutrino Project.
RANDALL HARR
Randall has had the opportunity to perform comedy all over the world. He spent two years in Amsterdam performing with the comedy theatre Boom Chicago and performed at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Randall wrote and performed in two Second City Cleveland reviews. Who's yer Baghdadi ?, and No Shirt, No Shoes, No WMDs. Other Second City credits include the musicals Sex and the Second City , Rod Blagojevich Superstar and the comedy review Peach, Drop, Stop and Roll at Atlanta's Alliance Theatre. Randall has also performed for the Second City on the high seas aboard the Norwegian Dawn. Most recently he has been performing with the Improvised Shakespeare Company at iO Theatre.
Randall has had the opportunity to perform comedy all over the world. He spent two years in Amsterdam performing with the comedy theatre Boom Chicago and performed at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Randall wrote and performed in two Second City Cleveland reviews. Who's yer Baghdadi ?, and No Shirt, No Shoes, No WMDs. Other Second City credits include the musicals Sex and the Second City , Rod Blagojevich Superstar and the comedy review Peach, Drop, Stop and Roll at Atlanta's Alliance Theatre. Randall has also performed for the Second City on the high seas aboard the Norwegian Dawn. Most recently he has been performing with the Improvised Shakespeare Company at iO Theatre.
JOHN HARTMAN
John is a writer and actor in Chicago. He is a new member of the Second City Mainstage ensemble and is an alumnus of The Second City Touring Company. He is also a member of Baby Wants Candy and half of the sketch duo Witaske & Hartman. His solo work has appeared at the Annoyance Theatre, iO Theater, TBS Just for Laughs Festival, Comedy Central Stage and the UCB Theatre.
John is a writer and actor in Chicago. He is a new member of the Second City Mainstage ensemble and is an alumnus of The Second City Touring Company. He is also a member of Baby Wants Candy and half of the sketch duo Witaske & Hartman. His solo work has appeared at the Annoyance Theatre, iO Theater, TBS Just for Laughs Festival, Comedy Central Stage and the UCB Theatre.
COLETTE HAWLEY
A singer and comedian, Colette has worked in musicals with such directors as Hal Prince (Parade) and James Lapine (Randy Newman's Faust), and she has shared the stage with such comics as Louis C.K., Zack Galafanackis and Sarah Silverman. She created, executive-produced and starred in her own project for Comedy Central called Confessing It, and her solo show Nothing's Easy & Nobody's Happy was produced at MTW by Lonny Price (A Class Act). Colette has been featured in the Montreal Comedy Festival, the Vancouver Comedy Festival and most recently, the Just For Laughs/TBS Chicago Comedy Festival at Park West playing George Wendt's wife in Robert Smigel's full length version of DA BEARS! Hawley is a New York City MAC Award–winner, Bistro Award–winner and a Chicago Jeff recipient.
A singer and comedian, Colette has worked in musicals with such directors as Hal Prince (Parade) and James Lapine (Randy Newman's Faust), and she has shared the stage with such comics as Louis C.K., Zack Galafanackis and Sarah Silverman. She created, executive-produced and starred in her own project for Comedy Central called Confessing It, and her solo show Nothing's Easy & Nobody's Happy was produced at MTW by Lonny Price (A Class Act). Colette has been featured in the Montreal Comedy Festival, the Vancouver Comedy Festival and most recently, the Just For Laughs/TBS Chicago Comedy Festival at Park West playing George Wendt's wife in Robert Smigel's full length version of DA BEARS! Hawley is a New York City MAC Award–winner, Bistro Award–winner and a Chicago Jeff recipient.
SARAH HOFFMAN
Sarah is a Virginian whose journey to Chicago included a singing contract with TokyoDisney and the original off-Broadway run of PBSKid's Angelina Ballerina: the Musical. Favorite musical theatre credits: Janus (Fine Print), Grey Gardens (Wolfbane Prod.), RENT (Renaissance Theatre) and A Chorus Line (Edinburgh Fringe). Sarah plays regularly with Improvised Sondheim (Stage773), Two B*tches from Arkansas (Playground), and Second City Training Center's HouseCo. She's a graduate of Virginia Tech and an alum of SCTC's SongCo.
Sarah is a Virginian whose journey to Chicago included a singing contract with TokyoDisney and the original off-Broadway run of PBSKid's Angelina Ballerina: the Musical. Favorite musical theatre credits: Janus (Fine Print), Grey Gardens (Wolfbane Prod.), RENT (Renaissance Theatre) and A Chorus Line (Edinburgh Fringe). Sarah plays regularly with Improvised Sondheim (Stage773), Two B*tches from Arkansas (Playground), and Second City Training Center's HouseCo. She's a graduate of Virginia Tech and an alum of SCTC's SongCo.
ANDREW KNOX
Andrew currently performs with the iO Harold team Dogs, the Improvised Shakespeare Company, Baby Wants Candy at the Apollo Theater and The Grrr at the Playground Theater. Andrew is an alumnus of Second City's Urban Twist cast, the Second City Training Center’s Musical Improv House Ensemble, and performed with the Second City aboard the Norwegian Dawn last year.
Andrew currently performs with the iO Harold team Dogs, the Improvised Shakespeare Company, Baby Wants Candy at the Apollo Theater and The Grrr at the Playground Theater. Andrew is an alumnus of Second City's Urban Twist cast, the Second City Training Center’s Musical Improv House Ensemble, and performed with the Second City aboard the Norwegian Dawn last year.
SARAH REULE
Sarah is originally from Michigan, where she received a Master of Arts in Theater from MSU. She has performed with the Second City’s Music House Ensemble and traveled the world with Norwegian Cruise Line. While in Chicago, she has appeared at iO Theater, Laugh Out Loud and Chicago Sketchfest, and in a smattering of commercials. Sarah has also performed with ImprovAcadia in Maine and The Skinny Improv in Missouri. She was recently featured as a recurring on-air personality and Director of Talent for KRBK HD-TV. Sarah currently tours with her lovely husband Grant in their cabaret duo, The Hendricksons.
Sarah is originally from Michigan, where she received a Master of Arts in Theater from MSU. She has performed with the Second City’s Music House Ensemble and traveled the world with Norwegian Cruise Line. While in Chicago, she has appeared at iO Theater, Laugh Out Loud and Chicago Sketchfest, and in a smattering of commercials. Sarah has also performed with ImprovAcadia in Maine and The Skinny Improv in Missouri. She was recently featured as a recurring on-air personality and Director of Talent for KRBK HD-TV. Sarah currently tours with her lovely husband Grant in their cabaret duo, The Hendricksons.
TIM RYDER
Tim is a graduate of Drake University. While at Drake, he founded DICEY, the university's first improv troupe. Since moving to Chicago, he has performed with the Second City National Touring Company, ComedySportz, Baby Wants Candy, The Beatbox, Shadowfax (iO) and The Senate (The Playground Theater). He also sailed the Mediterranean with Second City aboard the NCL Jade in a four-month experiment to see what makes European tourists laugh.
Tim is a graduate of Drake University. While at Drake, he founded DICEY, the university's first improv troupe. Since moving to Chicago, he has performed with the Second City National Touring Company, ComedySportz, Baby Wants Candy, The Beatbox, Shadowfax (iO) and The Senate (The Playground Theater). He also sailed the Mediterranean with Second City aboard the NCL Jade in a four-month experiment to see what makes European tourists laugh.
KEVIN SCIRETTA
Kevin has performed for the Second City in Rush Limbaugh: The Musical, aboard Norwegian Cruise Lines and as a member of the Second City National Touring Company. Kevin has lived in Chicago for the past 10 years, where he has performed improv, sketch comedy and theatre at places such as iO Chicago, Stage773 and the Chicago Sketch Comedy Festival. Musical improv credits include The Deltones and One Night Only. Other credits include the Cupid Players, Challenger, Haterade and Bullet Lounge. Originally from Queens, New York, Kevin graduated from State University of New York College at Fredonia with a BA in Theater.
Kevin has performed for the Second City in Rush Limbaugh: The Musical, aboard Norwegian Cruise Lines and as a member of the Second City National Touring Company. Kevin has lived in Chicago for the past 10 years, where he has performed improv, sketch comedy and theatre at places such as iO Chicago, Stage773 and the Chicago Sketch Comedy Festival. Musical improv credits include The Deltones and One Night Only. Other credits include the Cupid Players, Challenger, Haterade and Bullet Lounge. Originally from Queens, New York, Kevin graduated from State University of New York College at Fredonia with a BA in Theater.
TIM SNIFFEN
Tim has performed with the Second City, the Boom Chicago theater in Amsterdam, and Baby Wants Candy: The Improvised Musical in Chicago, NYC and Edinburgh. Enjoy his thrilling ramblings as MisterSniffen on Twitter.
Tim has performed with the Second City, the Boom Chicago theater in Amsterdam, and Baby Wants Candy: The Improvised Musical in Chicago, NYC and Edinburgh. Enjoy his thrilling ramblings as MisterSniffen on Twitter.