Erasable Inc.
Erasable Inc. is one of the University of Maryland's oldest student organizations, and one of the best known college improv groups on the east coast. The group’s weekly Friday shows on the UMD campus are described by the Diamondback as “part of a McKeldin ritual just as normal for university students as rubbing Testudo's nose for good luck.”[1] The group performs on the steps of McKeldin Library on McKeldin Mall every Friday afternoon during the academic year.[2]
Founded in 1986 with the help of Yale's Purple Crayon, Erasable Inc. has toured the U.S. and Europe, developing strong ties with internationally renowned comic hotspots such as The Second City and the Annoyance Theatre in Chicago. Erasable Inc. has worked with notable comedic figures such as Kevin McDonald, Paul Provenza, and the late improv guru Del Close.[3]
Prominent former members of the group include Broadway, television and film actors Jason Kravits (The Practice, Everybody Loves Raymond, The Stepford Wives), Kosha Engler (A Dirty Shame, Tuck Everlasting), Jerry Richardson (The Producers, Crazy Like a Fox), James Gardiner (Glory Days) and three time AVN Award Winning Adult Film Star Kurt Lockwood.
In 2011, Erasable Inc. competed in the Chicago Improv Festival's College Improv Tournament Capital City Regional. They won, sending them to the national finals in Chicago in March 2012. After winning the first round, Erasable Inc. placed fourth nationally among 126 competing teams.
References
- ↑ Izadi, Elahe. "So this guy walks into a bar...". Retrieved 2007-07-05.
- ↑ Erasable Inc student organization page, Improv Retrieved 2010-7-1.
- ↑ The Erasable Inc Yearbook