Friday, October 21, 2016

Tim O'Malley Tim Kazurinsky Full StoryCorps Interview

The Full Interview with me and Tim Kazurinsky from StoryCorps in Chicago Radio interview with two improv legends about The Second City Theater, SNL, and life as artists and love and the joy of life...just click below ..please and thanks

Tuesday, October 11, 2016

Nice Article from Addition Professional Magazine : here's a link
 
 
 

Monday, October 10, 2016

Tim O'Malley Tim Kazurinsky Share on StoryCorps Wonderful!

Tim Kazurinsky has been a mentor for me and countless others through the years at The Second City. He shared generously his wisdoms on life and show biz and continues to do so.  He emanates openness and honesty. I have never heard an unkind word spoken about Tim, he's one of those people everyone admires, loves and respects. We sat down in a booth and shared stories for an hour last week....and it was edited down to 3 minutes by Billy Healy a great guy ...George Wendt's nephew. The StoryCorps Director is Shirley Alfaro a wonderful woman who has turned into an amazing talent in radio direction. She is a former student, and I am blessed to have so many former students who are doing well and thriving in the arts. Here's a link to our StoryCorps edition...Tim O Tim K StoryCorps WBEZ Chicago  Special Thanks to Francesco De Salvatore for guiding us in the booth!
If your interested in hearing the entire interview please comment and I will send you a copy.

Thursday, April 21, 2016

Recognition Project


A couple months back I talked about some people doing something so wonderful for me...

Here is that original post:
Some very good people in this world did something so kind, so generous, so loving for me today! It was an act of pure selfless giving, a gesture of recognition....and I was and am still overwhelmed with gratitude. I wept with joy and pain for the sheer beauty of it.
Sometimes life can be so beautiful that it hurts.
My heart is filled with joy and love, and I won't be able to sleep tonight, but that is ok. Thank you does not cut it in this case....I love you.... kind of does.

It is now up online and it speaks for itself...it made me weep again just watching the video....thank you Matt, Spencer, Tori, Cole and Ed and all the people at Dictionary Films for creating this incredible idea and implementing it...click and watch the video...I think you will cry too. An awesome honor, and I believe something we need very much in this world right now.
Thank you God.


Recognition Project Video Link Click Here

O Great One Site Link Here

Tuesday, April 19, 2016

More Angels

Brian Posen is an amazing teacher. I am so grateful for his support and love. He encourages me with great compliments privately and publicly when he visits my classes. He picked me up when I was down and with his smile and caring way let me know things were going to be ok. He carries Martin DeMaat's message of love and respect on into the classroom and to his staff. He built Sketchfest Comedy Festival which imports amazing comedy groups from around the world and from home. He grew it from a seed to a wildly sold out event each year in January! I am blessed to have Brian in my life.
Dave Sinker is a wonderful man, dedicated to keeping classic comedy going. He is an SC Alum...we worked at the theater during the same years. He has hired me to teach at his wonderful comedy club... He built The Comedy Shrine in Naperville taking years to build an audience, bringing great stand-up comedians and house comedy troupes to the club. The Comedy Shrine actually has a shrine to comedy in it's hallways, an awe inspiring collection of autographed photos, album covers, posters, statues and well you just have to see it to believe it. Again, David is an angel that came back into my life at the exact right moment.

Wednesday, April 13, 2016

So Many Angels

So many people have been angels leading me towards a great feeling of a period of accomplishment… first is Blair Holmes hired me for a new Forsythe film again in January, which lead to him helping me with new headshots... as well as his moral support to get back into auditioning. A great person, so full of life and enthusiasm, encouraging me and amazing energy, Thank you Blair
Megan Hovde is an amazing person/friend and amazing talented actress, who I have known since she was my student many years ago… she pushed and encouraged me over and over to get in touch with her new agent Marisa, I am so grateful to her for believing in me, and will miss her now that she has moved to New York. So grateful for Megan.
Next is Marisa Paonessa a shiny happy encouraging amazing woman who welcomed me with an email saying “yay, yay, yay” when I applied to her…turns out she was a star in Tony and Tina’s wedding and I had taught her in some workshops and she remembered me and was so happy that I was coming to her… talent agency (Paonessa Talent) and they signed me! I adore her already and they have me auditioning again, such a gift from God bless Marisa and her staff.
Susannah Pappish is next…a dedicated Artist I met through friends, she is kind hearted and a new friend..Susannah hired me to do two workshops at ACM (American Colleges of the Midwest) another amazing great gift Susannah is. TYG Love Susannah!
Next is Barry Hite, Barry is funny and kind and I deeply appreciate him as a good man, he got me booked on an industrial with SC through a his recommendation… along with TJ Shanoff ...the shoot was a blast and am so grateful he was thoughtful enough to suggest me to Mike Foster
Met Mike Foster on the shoot and he is wonderful, open to me improvising and just seems like an all around great and talented and guy.
Scantron you know I already love and spoke about the miracle of working with this amazing group. love all of them like crazy!

Lastly Pamela Staker...my love, my rock, my adventure queen! She is an amazing artist and a determined super hard worker with a huge heart. Pam has always supported and believed in me. For her kindness, for her laugh, for Chukwu the long legged super model, Chi-chi and Monkey our furry family... for letting us use her studio to rehearse in, for putting up with me and all my flaws.... My deepest gratitude for ten years together. I love you Pam

Sunday, February 28, 2016

Scantron Comedy Miracle

Last August, Spencer Katherine Tootle came to me and asked me to direct a new improv group she was putting together. Spencer, Cole and Ed had been students in a class of mine and thought of me as they assembled the group. This gesture was a mini-miracle for me....Scantron Comedy was born and we began rehearsals. The journey has been such a blessing for me. The group Spencer put together is so talented and open and loving, wild and funny, (left to right: Matt Roeder, Tori Titmas, Spencer Katherine Tootle, Cole Earnest, Ed Buser) that it is a joy each time we meet for rehearsals or a show.

We started improvising and that special chemistry of a great cast was clearly evident. They accepted my direction so quickly and with enthusiasm...and they are amazing. They are unafraid to break boundaries, look and sound different than any of the hundreds of comedy groups in Chicago
 Scantron improvisational comedy technique is edgy, wild, sexy, twisted, smart and cohesive, I love them!

 We started with free shows at The Playground and have now built up to having a regular show every week at The Crowd Theater 3935 N. Broadway every Thursday at 10pm for $5....with an open run.
 Scantron took on a large challenge of doing 2 shows at The Second City's DeMaat Theater in February and with a little push, they marketed and advertised and hustled their asses off and we sold out both shows!
  They are currently writing new sketches for a scripted show coming soon.
I was at a low point in my life when they were sent to me by the universe and I thank God for them.
 We'll be shooting for some fun projects, on stage and on video ....so come out to see them any week at The Crowd Theater on Thursdays $5 BYOB and see how good they are and why I love them so much. TYG for Scantron Comedy. Like us on Facebook to get updates on all our new shows and projects Scantron Comedy at Facebook