Improv Mafia
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The Improv Mafia was created in 1998 by Mikel Matthews, and has since established themselves as a comedy powerhouse in Central Illinois. In the heart of Illinois State's campus in Normal, IL, they provide improv shows every Tuesday night.
The group has evolved over the years from performing mainly short form games to providing a unique hybrid of short form, long form, and other experimental forms in their weekly one hour shows. Aside from their Tuesday shows, they have expanded their outreach by performing for conferences, fundraisers, elementary schools, and Illinois High School Theatre Festival where they also conducted several workshops.
The Improv Mafia holds auditions every fall semester to replace those seniors who have graduated. But like the real mafia they maintain the mantra "When you are in the mafia, You are in for life," this proved to be true with their 5th anniversary show in 2003 when Mafia alums mixed with current cast members. Another tradition is to enact the passing of the senior members with the Funeral Party at the end of their last show before they graduate.
Many Mafia alum live and perform improv in Chicago. Others have enjoyed success in Los Angeles and New York. At one point, the Mafia had a professional troupe of Alumni who performed in the southwest suburbs of Chicago, but unfortunately parted ways due to career changes.
Below is their website:
 A Photo of the group taken in September of 2006 |
[edit] Current Improv Mafia Members:
- Megan Miller
- Franki Jo Levinson
- Lisa "Cloud" Ridarelli
- James Schirmer
- Matt "Tinz" Herzau
- Michael "Commodore" Norris
- Keith Habersberger
- Annie "Moon Unit" Rix
- Nick Mikula
- Matt Castellvi
- Nick "Sandwich" Cardiff
- Chris Bogue
- Marc Muszynski
- Brian Wohl
[edit] Improv Mafia Alumni:
- Scott Hogan- currently acting in Chicago and student at the I.O. theatre;
- Matt Fotis- Writer, Director, Actor and Owner of The Shantz Theatre Company in Chicago
- Adal Rifai- Actor and Improviser in Chicago. Student at Second City conservatory and I.O., Member of Makeshift Robot and Shantz Theatre
- Tim Soszko- Cupid Players, pH, and former I.O. team Maude
- Katie Clifford- living in Colorado
- Katy Lacio- Actor in Chicago
- Buck Zachary- Actor in Chicago
- Jared Beckley- Actor and Improviser in Chicago, studied at Second City and I.O. training center
- Kenny Metroff- Actor and Improviser in Chicago, currently in the Second City Conservatory and Improv Olympic training center, member of Improv Kitchen and 3 Legged Race
- Caitlin Barlow- Actor and Improviser, student at I.O. in Chicago
- Scott Danielson- Actor in Chicago
- Bekah Cornielson- Actor in L.A.
- Annie McKay- Actress in L.A.
- Zac Chase- Writer
- Brian Noble- Alumni
- Jaimese Lewis- Former Mafia member
- Nick Harden- former Mafia member
- Lawrence- The world is his friend
- Bob Acevedo- member of T.R.U.C.K.S. at the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre New York
- Jamie Axtell- Has received 3 Joseph Jefferson Citations for his performances in Pinafore!, Dr. Sex, and Queen Lucia.
- N. Clayton Duba- Stevenson High School Teacher
- Mikel Matthews- The Creator
- Wyatt Miller- Alumni
- Todd Andrlik- Alumni
[edit] References
- Baeten, Cassandra. "The Improv Mafia", The Daily Vidette, 2003-10-3. Retrieved on 2006-12-6.
- Borgia, Kevin. "Comedy Troupe Brings Laughs to Campus", The Daily Vidette, 2003-11-7. Retrieved on 2006-12-6.
- Frederking, Daniel. "Bloomington-Normal stirs up laughs", The Daily Vidette, 2006-9-7. Retrieved on 2006-12-6.
- Strand, Eric. "Mafia of a different nature", The Daily Vidette, 2004-4-15. Retrieved on 2006-12-6.
- Improv Mafia Home Page [2]
- Defunct St Charles Improv Mafia page [3]
