The New Deal

When you are able to hang out and create art that you're proud of with two of your best friends there's something insanely special about that. This is the way it is with The New Deal. I would take a bullet for the other two members of this team, and I would never look back. I met Noah in a UCB class way back when in the beginning of 2008. I met Alex about the same exact time at a theatre fundraiser and we had a pillow fight. Alex and Noah met each other in another comedy group way back when, and when we finally started doing stuff together it not only felt great to be with such kindred spirits but it was a hell of a lot of fun.

It's true that my wallpaper on my phone is our logo. Some people might think this egotistical of me. Rather, I see it as a constant reminder that no matter what I'm doing in my life, be it awful, great or anything in between, I can remind myself of something that I'm proud of with two friends that have my back unconditionally.

I don't know where I'd be without the friendship and support of the New Deal. And I can't see a future without these guys. They've forced me to grow leaps and bounds as an improviser, and they've also helped me through New York City, which is a feat in and of itself.

To many more years with these guys. Thank you.

...For Richard Stands

I performed with ...For Richard Stands a for a few months about a year ago. We had a really fun cage match. And had a really fun time going blue in a lot of rehearsals... since I left they changed their name to Teenage Cop. What a bunch of douches, am I right?!

Also I have nicknames for all of them: Pepperoni Mike, "The Girl" Drespel, Boothy, Cataract Regan, Stroup the Gout (never called him that), Miles Klee-ver (see previous), and Zach Verhoff. That was Zach's actual name.

I miss you guys.

Bender

Hot on the heels of the breaking up of the Wells Group came Bender. This one was quite odd for me actually since I wasn't a part of the formation of the group... rather I was taking a class with John Cantwell (in the white shirt) at the time and he asked if I wanted to attend a rehearsal with his group. I said sure, why not... I was looking for another outlet, and I remember walking into the first rehearsal nervous as balls. But every member of Bender was a devoted and caring friend to me from the get go. I joined shortly thereafter. I was very excited to be working with such a caring group of improvisers. And I met Nicole Drespel, a terrific and close friend that I don't know what I'd do without.

Shortly thereafter Bender split due to conflicting schedules and what not, but to quote a Metallica song that no one likes "The Memory Remains," and I look back with fondness on a team that took me in and helped me grow as a teammate and a performer. Also, I think we may have had one of the only successful shows "The City" ever had... boy oh boy, guys, remember that venue? Ech...

This is a marriage counselor scene. I still wear that blue shirt everyonce in a while.

The Wells Group

The Wells Group was my first Indie team out here in New York, we were around in mid-2008. It formed from a terrific practice group with a lot of my 401 buddies, and we had a short-lived run as probably the greatest team of all time. Dawn, Trowbridge, Karien, Nick, Justin, McFate, Noah, Me and the namesake Mr. Jim Wells. It was terrific to feel a part of a community, and it got me immersed in the indie scene... let me meet a lot of great people and to this day still has a sort of bonded place in my heart. Even last week I did another show with Trowbridge, and it was fun remembering that nervous energy.

But the highlight of the team was a show in which McFate told all of us that he couldn't spell Arizona. It was ridiculous.

The picture is from our first show. I'm standing in the back with a ridiculous amount of light on me.

Whitman College Theatre Sports (WCTS)

Set in the backdrop of Walla Walla, WA, Whitman College Theatre Sports was where I first started my ridiculous descent into improv comedy. I remember going to the tryouts freshmen year a complete and utter wreck, nervous to shit that I'd mess everything up. Turns out my beard was so long that scratching it awkwardly was funny enough to make it through to the team, and I was ecstatic. We were a short form troupe. That is true, meaning we'd do games much like Who's Line, and honestly I'd be lying if I said I didn't love doing it at the time. I've grown a love for long form improv, but when I began I loved being able to play party quirks and alphabet... and I wouldn't trade it for anything in college.

Theatre Sports got to meet some extremely influential people in my life, including my good friend and long time writing partner Stephen, it helped me hone how to make shit up in front of audiences and it indirectly made me quit a fraternity, which looking back was one of the better decisions of my life.

I loved Theatre Sports. And it'll always have a place in my heart.

And yes that is a photo from a show where we would dunk our heads in water. We were high class.