the Improviders, who are rooted in short-form improv style,
recently took on the task of switching styles for long-form improv
competition. The hard work paid off with a 7-week run as iO West Cage
Match Champions, and heavy hitters in Westside Eclectic's first League
Night competition. They have also been involved in LAAVAA, the Los Angeles Area Veterans Artists Alliance.
The 4-member troupe consists of 3 on-stage performers
and spur-of-the-moment musical accompaniment providing the soundtrack
to all the madness. Their off-the-cuff, relentless, no-holds-barred
style sets the Improviders apart from the rest. Their tight group
dynamic translates to the stage, which is attributed to the majority of
the group working together for several years. Catch the craze known as
the Improviders -- it's better then having to hear about it from your
friends!
Meet the
Improviders
Ezra Barham:
The Big Man from Texas studied for close to 3 years under the guidance of
James Henrikson, of early Groundlings fame. In 2003 he took over
producing duties and continues to make it up as he goes. Taking the
group from a small 50 seat theater in Burbank to some of the biggest
Improv Stages in LA. Ezra was featured on LA's top rated talk show
"Frosty Heidi and Frank" spreading the good word of the Improviders.
He continues to move the group towards bigger and better things.
Shawn Gonzales:
The only native Southern Californian of the group, Shawn has made it through a few trails by fire and became an Improv Olympic Alumni. Also known as the Doctor, he is the group's resident
song man with a background in music studies, song writing and a very
successful career as a DJ and Karaoke Jockey. Working with Special Ed
Teens as an Inclusion Aide has given him a new and exciting out look on
everyday life that translates well to the stage.
Jennifer Wilson:
Jennifer Wilson is a southpaw born in Texas and raised in good old Missouri. Knew she found her calling when she was cast as the 'little witch' in her 2nd grade Halloween play. By age 11 she was performing Off-Broadway in New York and at 19 made the move to Los Angeles
and graduated 2 years later from the American Academy of the Dramatic
Arts. Since graduating Jennifer has appeared in various commercials,
plays, films and public access t.v. shows. She's been doing improv
comedy for the past 6 years with 'the Improviders' all over L.A. The
Viral Video she wrote and starred in, "Ladies Guide to a Break-up",
won first place in at Hollywood's Viral Video Night. A recent Traction
Magazine article proclaimed the video was "undeniably frank,
intelligent and side-splittingly funny."
Scott (Scoot) Wilson:
Some people think everything happens for a reason. Some people believe
in fate. Others believe our lives are part of some grand scheme
determined by forces beyond our comprehension. Scott Wilson doesn't
really buy into all that crap, but when he thinks about the events in
his life that formed the path he followed that brought him to the
Improviders, he considers himself the luckiest man (man...man..man...)
on the face of the Earth (Earth...Earth...Earth...). He gets to be
creative with his guitar while people he loves and respects make him
laugh. How cool is that?
RANDOM PHOTOS